Since its launch as a pilot in 2022, Beyond the Stars has provided hands-on astronomy education to students in remote and Indigenous communities across Canada. Designed to be highly modular and adaptable, the program evolves in collaboration with local community liaisons to ensure it meets the unique needs and interests of each audience. Using time on science-grade telescopes, participants explore how astronomical images are made, gaining firsthand experience in data collection and image processing. By blending observational astronomy with cultural discussions and experiential learning, Beyond the Stars fosters a deep, personal connection to the night sky that is both scientifically enriching and culturally meaningful.

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A Community-Driven Approach to Astronomy Learning

One of the defining features of Beyond the Stars is its modular and highly adaptable structure. Rather than using a one-size-fits-all curriculum, we work closely with community liaisons at each venue to co-develop programming that aligns with the specific needs, interests, and educational goals of participants. This approach allows us to integrate traditional knowledge, emphasize local priorities, and create a learning experience that resonates with each group. Examples of these factors include:

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• Time Constraints: Some communities may only have a few hours available for programming, while others can support multiple half-day or week engagements.

• Prior Knowledge: Participants may range from those with no formal science background to those already engaged in STEM-focused hands-on learning.

• Curriculum & Learning Goals: Some schools may prioritize alignment with provincial science curricula, while others emphasize experiential and land-based learning.

• Cultural Comfort & Relevance: Some groups may want deep discussions on Indigenous sky knowledge, while others may prefer a focus on technical skills like telescope operations and image processing.

• Access to Technology: Some schools have computer labs for astrophotography work, while others require alternative approaches due to limited digital access.

 

By working in close partnership with community leaders, teachers, and organizations, we ensure that every session is meaningful, engaging, and tailored to its audience.

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The program’s adaptability is evident in the range of age groups and settings it has served. In 2022, Beyond the Stars launched with remote instruction in two high school science classrooms in Nunavut—Kugluktuk High School in Kugluktuk and Qarmartalik School in Resolute Bay. In 2023-2024, the program shifted to in-person sessions at Elephant Thoughts’ Riverstone campus in Ontario, where it engaged young adults in workforce training programs. Most recently, in 2024-2025, Beyond the Stars expanded to serve students in Grades 6-12 through partnerships with the West Island Black Community Association in Montréal and a school in an Indigenous community in Québec.

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Each iteration of the program has provided new insights into how hands-on astronomy education can be adapted to different age groups and learning environments, helping us refine our approach year after year.

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Exploring the Cosmos Through Science and Storytelling

At every venue, Beyond the Stars integrates scientific exploration with cultural perspectives on the night sky. Sessions are designed to balance interactive learning with opportunities for participants to share their own knowledge and experiences. Key themes include:

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• Cultural Astronomy: Participants discuss sky stories from their own traditions, explore how different cultures interpret common asterisms, and reflect on humanity’s shared connection to the cosmos.

• Observational Astronomy: Using the free planetarium software Stellarium, participants learn about celestial navigation, deep-sky objects, and how to request observations through the Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) network.

• Light and Color in Astronomy: Hands-on activities with diffraction gratings, emission lamps, and infrared cameras help participants understand the electromagnetic spectrum and how astronomers study objects beyond visible light.

• Creative Interpretation of Data: Participants process three-colour LCO images of their selected nebulae and galaxies and re-create them using artistic mediums such as Perler beads and painting.

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Incorporating artistic activities, like painting and creative expression, into STEM education aligns with our goal of bringing personal and cultural elements into the learning process, blending scientific rigor with creative expression. It encourages students to engage with STEM topics in a more holistic way, fostering creativity, emotional connection, and diverse learning styles. By allowing students to visualize and reflect on scientific concepts through art, we deepen their understanding, promote collaboration, and make the learning experience more meaningful and inclusive.

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A Guiding Principle for Holistic STEM Learning

A major inspiration for Beyond the Stars is the concept of Two-Eyed Seeing (Etuaptmumk), as shared by Mi’kmaw Elder Albert Marshall. This approach integrates Indigenous ways of knowing with Western science, encouraging learners to see the world through multiple perspectives. This approach challenges dominant public education models, which often emphasize individualism, competition, and an emotional disconnect from the natural world.

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Beyond the Stars takes a different path, prioritizing collective responsibility and grounding learning in personal, lived experiences. Relationality is the idea that everything - people, knowledge, and the natural world - is connected. It emphasizes relationships rather than seeing things as isolated or separate. In an educational context, relationality means understanding that learning isn’t just about gaining facts or competing for the highest marks; it’s about how knowledge connects us to each other, to our communities, and to the world around us. By prioritizing relationality, collective learning, and meaningful engagement with the natural world, Beyond the Stars aims to foster a deeper and more inclusive approach to science education.

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Looking Ahead

Beyond simply delivering educational content, Beyond the Stars seeks to build lasting relationships with communities. Working with established organizations such as Elephant Thoughts and the West Island Black Community Association has allowed the program to reach students more effectively and ensure that activities are culturally relevant and sustainable.

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With each iteration, Beyond the Stars continues to refine its approach, incorporating feedback from participants and community liaisons. The program’s ability to adapt to different learning environments ensures that it remains responsive to the needs of the communities it serves. Looking forward, Beyond the Stars aims to expand to new locations while deepening its commitment to co-learning, cultural exchange, and place-conscious astronomy education.

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By bridging science and storytelling, Beyond the Stars inspires participants to connect with our Universe in ways that are both deeply personal and scientifically rigorous. Through this work, we hope to create lasting opportunities for Indigenous and underserved youth to engage with astronomy and see themselves reflected in the broader scientific community.

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Heidi White, Project Manager

Beyond the Stars is offered by Discover the Universe in collaboration with the Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets

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