Dennis Schatz

Using the Solar Eclipses to Encourage Lifelong, Lifewide and Lifedeep Science Interest

Award-winning science educator Dennis Schatz examines the research regarding when and where science learning occurs, when it is most important for developing a future interest in science, and the implications for learning experiences related to the upcoming solar eclipses

Dennis Schatz started his career as a science educator at the Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California, Berkeley, working in astronomy education and developing science education curricula for the visually impaired. He is best known for being a long-term staff member of the Pacific Science Center, ultimately becoming senior vice president. From 2011-15, he was a program director at the National Science Foundation before returning to the Pacific Science Center. In 2018, he joined the Institute of Learning Innovation as a senior fellow to work on several National Science Foundation grant projects related to science communication strategies for science-based professionals.

Currently on the American Astronomical Society’s (AAS) Solar Eclipse Task Force, Schatz works with science education leaders across North America to get the public ready for the upcoming solar eclipse “double-header.” He is also a leader in the Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries (SEAL) project that is distributing five million solar-viewing glasses and solar eclipse information to more than 11,000 libraries across the U.S.

Schatz was the founding field editor of the journal, “Connected Science Learning,” which highlights links between in-school and out-of-school learning. The journal is a joint effort of the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) and Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC).

A past president of NSTA’s Board of Directors, Schatz is on the board of BSCS Science Learning and is a past board member and president of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP). He is author or co-author of 26 science books for children and several curriculum resources for teachers.

Schatz has received numerous honors, including having Asteroid 25232 renamed Asteroid Schatz by the International Astronomical Union in recognition of his leadership in astronomy and science education. He also received NSTA’s highest honor, the Robert H. Carlton Lifetime Achievement Award.