Look Up! It’s Your Universe Too.
 

The beauty and mystery of the night sky inspired me to become a professional astronomer. Growing up in Córdoba, Argentina in the 1960s afforded few opportunities to pursue my passion for the stars. I decided to study in the US as a high school exchange student, and from then on my career followed my childhood dreams. Being a woman scientist from Latin America has not always been easy. I have found strength in my passion for broadening the participation of underserved groups in museums, libraries, and other informal education settings by highlighting the cultural roots of science. I am heartened by the knowledge that our ancestors contributed uniquely to science and mathematics, and that many indigenous groups still practice astronomy on a daily basis. Working with indigenous colleagues has contributed to my professional and personal wellbeing, and reminds me to look up at the night sky, because the Universe belongs to all of us.

Biography

Dr. Isabel Hawkins
Astronomer and Project Director
Exploratorium
San Francisco, California
 

Isabel Hawkins, from Córdoba, Argentina, is a science educator with a Ph.D. in astronomy from UCLA. She spent 20 years as an astrophysics researcher and science educator at UC Berkeley’s Space Sciences Laboratory. She joined the Exploratorium in 2009 to work on cultural astronomy projects including Spanish/English live webcasts from Chichen Itzá, Yucatán, on Maya astronomy and from Casper, Wyoming on the 2017 total solar eclipse. She has forged cross-cultural collaborations with indigenous knowledge holders, educators, and scientists to enhance participation by diverse communities in science.  Isabel has published more than 100 articles on astronomy and science education. Her interests include competitive Latin dancing and the study of native languages.

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