April Russell
2024 Big Helio Year Awardee
Project Description
Solar Eclipse Glasses Recycling Initiative
This collaborative project centers on recycling solar eclipse glasses to promote sustainability and enhance global science education. Developed by Astronomers Without Borders with support from many individuals and organizations, the initiative collected uses eclipse glasses after the 2024 total solar eclipse in North America. These glasses are vetted and redistributed to underprivileged communities, particularly in regions with limited access to scientific resources. The program not only reduces environmental waste by repurposing the glasses but also provides educational tools that enable people to safely experience and learn from solar eclipses. This effort fosters a greater understanding of astronomy and environmental stewardship among learners of all ages. By bridging the gap between advanced and developing regions, the project cultivates a global community engaged in science and conservation. The ultimate goal is to inspire future generations to participate in scientific endeavors and to adopt sustainable practices, ensuring a lasting impact on both education and environmental health.
Target Audience Age
| 0-4 | 5-10 | 11-14 | 14-18 | 19-22 | 23-26 | 27-99 |
NASA Division
Heliophysics
Grant Status
Learning Context
Digital Learning
Neighborhood /
Community
Informal /
Out of School
Home / Family
Citizen Science
Formal Education
SME Bio
The involvement of more scientists with SciAct teams not only brings a wider range of expertise and ideas but also enhances the scope and depth of our outreach efforts… We can significantly expand our project's reach and impact, maximizing the benefits to the community and the field of space science.
April Russell
Solar Eclipse Glasses Recycling PI
CEO
Astronomers Without Borders
Russell earned her BS in physics and MS in planetary sciences from MIT, and an MA in Education from WGU. With a strong background in astrophysics, education, and strategic leadership, she has dedicated her career to fostering a global appreciation for the wonders of the universe. Throughout her career, she has created innovative science education resources, worked with Astronomy Magazine, National Geographic, Khan Academy, and others. She has also contributed significantly to published research. Asteroid 33845 Aprilrussell is named in her honor. As the CEO of AWB, she is committed to transcending borders, broadening perspectives, and improving lives through astronomy.
SciAct Team
Night Sky Network Description
The Night Sky Network is a nationwide coalition of amateur astronomy clubs bringing the science, technology, and inspiration of NASA's missions to the general public.
We share our time and telescopes to provide you with unique astronomy experiences at science museums, observatories, classrooms, and under the real night sky.
This fits perfectly with our project's mission of reaching underserved audiences and reaching beyond what we would be able to do on our own. With all the splendid work done by our networks in the US, they extend that through their international networks of volunteers, expanding the impact dramatically.