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STEMarts Lab invites students ages 14–20 to participate in the next free STEMarts Bootcamp: Discover the Wonder of Space Exploration on March 8, 2025, at UNM Taos HIVE. This full-day, immersive experience will introduce participants to astrophysics, Native science, and digital storytelling, culminating in the creation of interactive sci-art projections.
Date: March 8, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: UNM Taos HIVE, 1146 Gusdorf Rd, Taos, NM
Meals & Travel Support: Lunch and snacks provided. Travel stipends are available for parents of students traveling more than 30 miles.
Program Overview
This bootcamp offers a hands-on approach to space literacy and science communication, with expert-led discussions and workshops designed to integrate astrophysics with digital media. Students will explore the life cycle of stars, the structure of galaxies, and Indigenous knowledge of the cosmos, developing critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills.
Expert Instructors & Topics
- Dr. Nicole Lloyd Ronning – LANL Astrophysicist
Students will learn about multi-messenger astronomy and the processes that shape stars, from formation to supernovae and black holes. - Dr. Julia Blue Bird (Oglala Lakota) – Astrophysicist & Native Science Educator
Dr. Blue Bird will discuss the Cosmic Web and how galaxies evolve, integrating Indigenous perspectives on space science. - Arwen Hubbard – NASA Solar System Ambassador
Hands-on activities will build space literacy, translating astrophysics into visual storytelling.
Interactive Projection Art with Tagtool
In the afternoon, students will work with digital media artist Ian Harrison to translate complex scientific concepts into real-time projection art using Tagtool. This session will introduce students to digital media as a tool for science communication, allowing them to visually represent what they have learned about space.
Key Takeaways
- Engage with astrophysicists, scientists, and artists to explore stellar evolution, space literacy, and Indigenous perspectives on astronomy.
- Learn how to use projection mapping and digital storytelling to communicate complex scientific ideas.
- Develop skills in teamwork, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Receive a STEMarts Ambassador Certificate, qualifying students for paid opportunities as XR Experience Guides at STEMarts Lab events.
About STEMarts Bootcamps
STEMarts Bootcamps are held four times a year in partnership with UNM-Taos HIVE. These training sessions introduce students to careers in space science, new media arts, and emerging technologies. Students who complete the bootcamps gain access to professional development opportunities, including paid roles at STEMarts Lab events, where they help facilitate public engagement with immersive sci-art installations.