Einstein’s Incredible Universe is an exciting new media and engagement program designed to catalyze interest in space science and spark scientific curiosity in lifelong learners, especially young women. The project includes an all-new 3D/2D film for giant screen theaters and planetariums, produced by Cosmic Picture, featuring the great discoveries of Albert Einstein and contemporary female astrophysicists who are putting his groundbreaking theories on space, time, and gravity to the test.

The project also includes an array of lifelong learning activities, including an opportunity for girl-serving organizations to participate in the Dynamic Eclipse Broadcast (DEB) Initiative: a nationwide citizen science project that will equip participants with the technology and resources to capture and broadcast solar images during the 2024 total solar eclipse. This work, funded by NASA and the National Science Foundation, will ultimately allow scientific analysis of the sun’s inner corona. 

Group leaders participating in DEB through the Einstein’s Incredible Universe Project will receive ongoing professional development training on space science and project-specific data collection, beginning with a two-day workshop at the Great Lakes Science Center, home of the NASA Glenn Visitor Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Participating girls will also learn through near-peer training opportunities, create media documenting their experience preparing for and participating in the citizen-science project, and perhaps even appear in the giant screen film itself! 

The Einstein Project will leverage a train-the-trainer model for girl-group participation in DEB. All equipment will be provided, and costs will be covered. Group leaders will receive a stipend for their participation. 20 girl-serving groups will be selected to participate in this opportunity. 

Notes: 

• This experience is best suited for smaller groups (e.g., 3-8 participants) so that girls have more opportunities to use the equipment, but larger groups (e.g., 10-15 participants) can also apply with the understanding that it may be more challenging for all girls to fully participate. 
• The project is well-suited for high school and college students, although middle school students with a dedicated team leader can also thrive in DEB and participate in long-term follow-on projects.
• “Group leader” is a broad term that can refer to individuals who lead girls in STEM exploration through their institution (e.g., science center, library, school), organization (e.g., Girl Scouts, 4-H, Parks and Recreation), or standalone club/group (e.g., amateur astronomers). 

Einstein’s Incredible Universe is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation. The film is projected to release in 2025/2026.

Leaders of groups that promote STEM learning in out-of-school-time spaces that are:

• In the US, within the path of totality for the 2024 total solar eclipse (select locations in AR, IL, IN, KY, ME, MO, NH, NY, OK, OH, PA, TX, and VT). Go here to find out if your city is on the path, or use this interactive map.
   
• Committed to encouraging girls to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and/or pursue STEM careers.
   
• Interested in furthering their knowledge about space science and building their capacity to lead girls in the exploration of space science concepts.
   
• Committed to sustained participation in the program from November 2023 through May 2024, including traveling to the two-day workshop at the Great Lakes Science Center (dates/details below) and research and evaluation efforts that may extend beyond May 2024.

Participating groups will receive:

• Professional development for group leaders to build their capacity to lead young women in the exploration of space science, including an in-person workshop hosted by the Great Lakes Science Center and DEB personnel, featuring hands-on training on capturing solar data as part of the citizen science project. Training will also include general information on space science and strategies for communicating these concepts to younger audiences. 
  • Workshop location: Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland, OH
     
  • Workshop dates: Thursday, November 2, 2023 (afternoon)  – Saturday, November 4, 2023 (afternoon)
     
  • Travel costs and compensation: Hotel accommodations will be paid directly by the Einstein project. Most meals will be provided. A stipend of $2500 will be provided to each participant to cover travel to/from the workshop and to compensate for participation in the duration of the project. 
     
• Equipment and supplies: All necessary equipment and technology, including telescopes, cameras, and mounts, will be provided by the Einstein project. Participants will receive this equipment at the workshop and bring it home to use during the DEB project and beyond. 
   
• Ongoing training for girls to participate in DEB, including through live stream and video-based sessions (in addition to the direct training provided by group leaders after the workshop).
   
• Opportunities to connect with other participating groups AND with the female astrophysicists featured in the film, including Dr. Andrea Ghez, winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics for her groundbreaking research on black holes, and Dr. Nergis Mavalvala, Dean of Science at MIT, who was part of the group that discovered the first scientific evidence of gravitational waves.
   
• The potential to be included in the giant screen film!

Group leaders and girls will be expected to:

• Participate in the DEB citizen science project between November 2023 and May 2024, practicing with the equipment and capturing data during the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Groups may also participate in longer-term follow-on projects using the provided equipment, including observations of star and asteroid light paths.
   
• Group leaders will attend the workshop at Great Lakes Science Center from November 2 - 4, 2023.
   
• Girls will create videos, vlogs, blogs, and/or written diaries about their experiences with DEB to be used as part of the project’s research and evaluation efforts and/or as part of the project’s social media and marketing efforts.
   
• Group leaders will participate in project webinars hosted by the National Girls Collaborative Project, including:
   
  • Project Onboarding Webinar on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT / 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET
     
  • Science Showcase Webinar to be scheduled in 2024
     
• Participate in research and evaluation focused on gender equity in STEM education.

Applications are now closed. Applicants will be notified of decisions by Monday, October 2, 2023.

Email Emily Early, Senior Program Manager at the National Girls Collaborative Project, at eearly@ngcproject.org with any questions.

To view and download a PDF version of the RFP and application, click here. The PDF is for reference only.