Speaker
Description
I recently participated in the Congressional Visits Day (CVD) program co-sponsored by the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) and the American Astronomical Society (AAS), stepping out of the classroom to advocate directly on Capitol Hill. In this presentation, I will share key takeaways regarding the major issues facing physics and astronomy research and education at the federal level—including research funding, critical teacher workforce shortages, and the challenges of navigating shifting executive branch priorities and policy uncertainties. My main goal is to demystify congressional outreach and show just how accessible it is for us educators to schedule meetings and talk with our representatives in Congress. Attendees will leave with an up-to-date overview of federal STEM policy issues, practical strategies for framing classroom realities for representatives, and an actionable roadmap for stepping into their own role in national advocacy.
