Education Specialist
Vera C. Rubin Observatory
Oro Valley, Arizona, United States
Ardis Herrold is the Education Specialist for Vera C. Rubin Observatory. She is responsible for
designing and testing classroom investigations and teacher support materials that will make use
of Rubin data once it becomes available. Now that some of the investigations are ready for use,
Ardis leads teacher professional development efforts and oversees the Rubin Observatory
Educators Community of Practice.
Prior to joining Rubin Observatory, Ardis taught physical, Earth, and space sciences at the high
school and college level. She also worked in various planetariums, and managed night labs and
observing nights for students and the general public. Ardis also was the advisor for the Radio
Astronomy Team (the RATs), a student organization that she created and led for 28 years.
Ardis is a Past President of the National Earth Science Teachers Association and twice Past
President of the Michigan Earth Science Teachers Association. A lifelong amateur astronomer,
Ardis has a personal observatory near Tucson, AZ, where she images deep sky objects, comets
and supernovae. Ardis has a Geology degree from the University of Michigan and still enjoys
collecting rocks and minerals. She also loves hiking, biking, and playing drums and guitar.
Disclosure information not submitted.
5A - Explore Exploding Stars with Rubin Observatory
Thursday, August 22, 2024
4:15 PM – 5:05 PM US PDT
