What is the program about?
Talk with Then: Women in Astronomy is an initiative by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) aimed at highlighting the contributions of women in the fields of astronomy and astrophysics. This project seeks to provide students with new professional role models who can inspire them to pursue careers in science and technology.
Additionally, Talk with Them: Caribbean Women in Astronomy is an extension of this initiative, specifically focused on female astronomers and astrophysicists from the Caribbean region. This edition is an essential part of the annual science outreach activities carried out by the Educational Physics division of the Institute of Physics at the Faculty of Sciences, in collaboration with the School of Physics, approved by the Board of Directors of the Faculty of Sciences, under Resolution No. 06-2025 dated 03/06/2025, with the support of the Vice Rectorate for Research and Postgraduate Studies at the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD) and Caribbean Astronomy for Inclusion (CAI). The goal is to promote the integration of astronomy, astrophysics, and related disciplines into society, fostering a greater appreciation and understanding of these sciences in the region.
The initiative is carried out through live video conferences designed for educational institutions. These sessions are led by Caribbean Woman astrophysicists or researchers from the region. During the sessions, scientists explain their work, discuss their research fields, and answer students' questions about scientific and technological careers, the Universe, and the methods used to study it.
Each video conference lasts between 50 and 60 minutes. The default language is Spanish. However, since some Caribbean countries do not speak Spanish, sessions can also be requested in English.
Who is it for?
The program is designed for pre-university educational institutions (primary and secondary levels) across all Caribbean islands.
When does it take place?
The activities will begin in February 2025 and will continue until the end of the school year, following schedules agreed upon between the participating speakers and the requesting schools.
How to register?
If you are a teacher at a Caribbean educational institution and would like to participate in this initiative, register your school through this form and request a video conference. If you wish to request video conferences on different topics, a separate form must be completed for each session to ensure efficient scheduling and organization.
Registration will remain open until we reach the maximum number of video conferences available for the school year. If we are unable to schedule an activity on your initially requested date, we will propose an alternative date.
What resources are needed?
If the whole group connects from the classroom:
A computer, tablets, a digital board, or a projector in the classroom
- Speakers so students can hear the speaker
- A webcam so the speaker can see the students
- A microphone (if not included in the webcam) so the speaker can hear students' questions
If each participant connects from home:
- A computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet access and compatible with the chosen video conferencing platform
- Headphones and a microphone to hear the speaker and ask questions aloud (optional—questions can also be written in the chat)
- A webcam so the speaker can see the participants (optional)
Contact Information
For any further questions or additional information regarding the Talk with Them: Caribbean Women in Astronomy program, please feel free to reach out to us. We are here to assist you and look forward to your school's participation.
- Email: astronomia.ifis@uasd.edu.do
