Exploring Lunar Eclipses - February 20, 2025

Brian Kruse manages the ASP's Project ASTRO National Network and Bay Area Project ASTRO, programs which have partnered astronomers with classroom teachers. A veteran classroom teacher, Brian has taught middle school earth science and physical science, and high school physics, earth science, physical science, and integrated science. He has also served as a NASA Explorer Schools Coordinator, where he worked with teams of teachers to foster NASA-inspired whole-school impacts. When not working, Brian is frequently found hiking and birding with camera in hand.

Theresa Summer has been active in astronomy education since 1998. She shares her love for astronomy with everyone… in planetariums, museums, classrooms, tutoring and public observing events.

At the ASP since 2016, Theresa has been developing programs to spread astronomy and science literacy around the globe. She is the creator of the “Confidence & Curiosity: Girls at the Telescope” workshop and award winning video series, as part of NASA’s Girl Scouts Reaching for the Stars, the team that produced the GS Space Science badges

With a specific focus on social justice and increasing opportunities for marginalized voices, Theresa’s secret mission in life is to make science more welcoming to all. She believes that science is for everyone, and is an important part of being an active citizen in today’s world.

Shanil Virani is a professional astronomer and a passionate science educator with more than 2 decades of classroom teaching experience. He has taught astronomy at both the high school level and at the university level to both majors and non-majors. In 2017, Shanil was nominated by his students for James Madison University’s General Education Distinguished Teaching Award.  In addition to his current role at the ASP, he is also an Adjunct Professor in the University Honors College at The George Washington University where he teaches a class on archaeo-astronomy.

Tony Smith is an Astronomy Educator for Online Learning at the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Tony has worked in informal science education since 2011 at OMSI in Portland, OR, Pacific Science Center in Seattle, WA, and prior to joining the ASP managed the J. Watumull Planetarium at Bishop Museum in Honolulu, HI. In addition to the ASP, Tony also works part time at the Washington State University Planetarium and volunteers at the Palouse Discovery Science Center in Pullman, WA where he lives. Tony is passionate about science education and uses an interactive presentation style, asking for observations and input from the audience throughout his presentations.