Lindsay R. House (she/her)
Ph.D student at The University of Texas at Austin.
NSF GRFP & NASA Citizen Science grant recipient. Creator of Dark Energy Explorers
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Lindsay R. House
Research
The passion behind all my research is to make cutting-edge astrophysics accessible and digestible to the general public, in a way that brings out the inner kid in all of us.
As creator of Dark Energy Explorers, I currently use citizen science in combination with machine learning to enhance the Hobby-Eberly Telescope Dark Energy Experiment while simultaneously bringing the general public the opportunity to participate in astrophysics research. As a part of HETDEX at McDonald Observatory, we are working to create one of the largest maps of the universe ever which will help to narrow down our theories on dark energy.
I am also involved in Astronomy Education Research. I have specialized in developing materials for teaching climate change and interactive instruction for teaching within a planetarium dome. The later was in collaboration with Fiske Planetarium and the Physics Education Research group at CU Boulder
Research
The passion behind all my research is to make cutting-edge astrophysics accessible and digestible to the general public, in a way that brings out the inner kid in all of us.
As creator of Dark Energy Explorers, I currently use citizen science in combination with machine learning to enhance the Hobby-Eberly Telescope Dark Energy Experiment while simultaneously bringing the general public the opportunity to participate in astrophysics research. As a part of HETDEX at McDonald Observatory, we are working to create one of the largest maps of the universe ever which will help to narrow down our theories on dark energy.
I am also involved in Astronomy Education Research. I have specialized in developing materials for teaching climate change and interactive instruction for teaching within a planetarium dome. The later was in collaboration with Fiske Planetarium and the Physics Education Research group at CU Boulder
Teaching and Talks
As a previous community college instructor and planetarium presenter I have brought my love for teaching and educating the public into my research. With my current citizen science project, Dark Energy Explorers, I lead workshops for K-12 teachers across the country and you can find educational materials I have developed on my teaching and talks page if you are interested in incorporating dark energy into your classroom.
Teaching and Talks
As a previous community college instructor and planetarium presenter I have brought my love for teaching and educating the public into my research. With my current citizen science project, Dark Energy Explorers, I lead workshops for K-12 teachers across the country and you can find educational materials I have developed on my teaching and talks page if you are interested in incorporating dark energy into your classroom.
Outreach, Press, and Science writing
I currently serve on the executive committee for the American Physical Society’s Forum on Engaging the Public. I have written pieces for the AAS education blog and my research has been featured on Austin’s CBS, NPR and NBC.
Allowing people of all racial, gender, and socioeconomic backgrounds to not only be exposed but be a part of STEM is at the forefront of my work. During the summer of 2022, I was an astronomy intern for the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (NASM) in Washington D.C. where I worked under the director of education and visitor services. At NASM, I developed hands-on activities to explain dark energy to visitors of the museum and worked on a team to develop a new astronomy citizen science exhibit that will be in the museum in 2025. This exhibit will have the potential to impact the Air and Space Museum’s millions of visitors every year.
Outreach, Press, and Science writing
I currently serve on the executive committee for the American Physical Society’s Forum on Engaging the Public. I have written pieces for the AAS education blog and my research has been featured on Austin’s CBS, NPR and NBC.
Allowing people of all racial, gender, and socioeconomic backgrounds to not only be exposed but be a part of STEM is at the forefront of my work. During the summer of 2022, I was an astronomy intern for the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (NASM) in Washington D.C. where I worked under the director of education and visitor services. At NASM, I developed hands-on activities to explain dark energy to visitors of the museum and worked on a team to develop a new astronomy citizen science exhibit that will be in the museum in 2025. This exhibit will have the potential to impact the Air and Space Museum’s millions of visitors every year.
A little bit more about me
I was born and raised in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. I attended the University of North Carolina at Asheville, earning a BS in Mathematics and later a BS in physics. My passion for education was born at UNC Greensboro as I worked as a Teaching Assistant for an introductory astronomy class. I have exercised my skills as an educator by working with individuals one-on-one tutoring to teaching pre-calculus and courses on the growth mindset at Wake Tech Community College. Additionally, I worked as a planetarium presenter at the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, where I experienced the joy and privilege of watching children's faces light up as I showed them the vastness of the universe for the first time. These experiences, among others, motivated me to hybridize my greatest passions - astronomy and education, and thus gain my Ph.D. at UT Austin. I have become ever confident in my decision to gain my Ph.D. as it has led me to experiences such as working at the Smithsonian National Air and Space museum in Washington D.C. during the summer of 2022.
When my head isn't in the stars, I enjoy hiking, baking, crafting, and traveling. I return home multiple times a year to the NC mountains to enjoy the town's vibrant collection of micro-breweries, take a break from the Texas heat, spend time with family, and put some miles on my hiking boots. For anyone with a trip to Asheville, NC, in the future, be sure to ask me for my list of recommendations - I will happily share my curated Google Doc full of hometown knowledge!
Baking or trying new foods
Working out or Hiking
Crafting
Want to become a Dark Energy Explorer?
You will be the first to see these galaxies, stars, meteors, black holes and more!