Outreach and Public Engagement at KIPAC
KIPAC is proud to offer a wide variety of educational programs for students and the general public to explore the wonders of the cosmos. Below is a summary of the current programs we are offering, all of which are free of charge!
Upcoming Public Events
Public Lectures
Who it is for: General public, recommended for students above 9th grade & adults. In-person & online.
Discover Our Universe public lecture is a series of free and engaging presentations on astrophysics, designed for the general public and students above 9th grade, and open to all. Given by KIPAC astrophysicists and occasionally external speakers, these lectures are now occurring on a bi-monthly basis and offered in a hybrid format. You are welcome to join us either online or in-person! If you are interested in checking out our past virtual lectures, please visit the KIPAC YouTube page.
Telescope Viewings
Who it is for: General public, especially kids- and family-friendly. In-person only.
With access to the 24-inch and the 0.7m dome telescopes at the Stanford Student Observatory, along with a number of digital telescopes (eVscopes) and optical telescopes, KIPAC offers regular, in-person stargazing parties that introduce the public to the beautiful night sky. In addition, we also offer telescope viewing opportunities during astronomical events (solar and lunar eclipses, planet transits, etc.). Join our mailing list or check out the "upcoming events" on this page for upcoming stargazing parties.
SPINWIP
Who it is for: High-school Students. Online only.
The Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics (SPINWIP) is a 3-week virtual summer program to get high-school students excited about Physics. Organized by KIPAC and the Stanford Physics Department, this program aims to provide participants with an overview of major subareas of Physics, hands-on experience in computer programming, and opportunities to closely interact with undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty. The program is completely free to participants, and we strongly encourage students from disadvantaged backgrounds to apply. We just completed another successful year of SPINWIP programming in July 2026!
Noches Astronómicas
Who it is for: Spanish-speaking individuals, especially K-12 students and families, local residents, and Stanford affiliates. In-person only (with recording available on our YouTube channel).
¿Prefieres aprender astronomía en español? ¡Únase a nosotros en Noches Astronómicas! Noches Astronómicas is a series of Spanish events that provide Spanish-speaking individuals with a window into learning astrophysics and careers in physics/astrophysics through short lectures and informal conversations. These events are held annually on the Stanford campus and also ad hoc in local schools or libraries. If you work in a county-, city-, or district-level office and are interested in co-hosting Noches Astronómicas with us at one of your community centers, please contact Dr. Xinnan Du (xinnandu@stanford.edu).
Community Day
Who it is for: General public at all ages, especially kids- and family-friendly. In-person only.
Every two years, we invite the local community to join our Community Day to learn more about the Universe and the exciting discoveries we have made. Led by KIPAC and joined by many Stanford STEM departments and partners including the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, the event offers immersive science-learning experiences through interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, activities, and mini lectures, with giveaways provided! Our last Community Day was on April 19, 2025, and we hope to host another one in Spring 2027.
Classroom Visits
Who it is for: K-12 teachers and their classes; youth- and community-serving organizations.
Interested in inviting a KIPAC scientist to speak with your classroom about their research and/or their career path? Please contact us! KIPAC members are available to visit your classroom in-person or virtually and have an open discussion with your students. We hope to create positive learning experiences for students and form a personal connection between the current and future generation of STEM professionals. For inquiries and requests, please contact Dr. Xinnan Du (xinnandu@stanford.edu).
Events with Partners
Who it is for: General public
Beyond KIPAC-hosted events and programs, KIPAC members actively contribute to partner-led initiatives, including SLAC Public Lectures, SLAC Tours, the Bay Area Science Festival, and SAGE-S. In 2026, we also launched a regional public lecture series highlighting various science frontiers from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, in collaboration with local science museums, community colleges, planetariums, and astronomy societies.
More ways to connect
Interested in learning more about KIPAC science and staying up to date on our latest news and discoveries beyond public events? Subscribe to the KIPAC newsletters or consider supporting KIPAC!