Sean Dillon
2024 Seed Grant Awardee
Project Description
Sun Science for Special Ed. Students in San Antonio
This project aims to bring NASA’s solar science curriculum to special education (SpEd) students at Brennan High School in San Antonio. Collaborating with the NASA Neurodiversity Network (N3) and Northside Independent School District (NISD), Sean will teach five interactive lessons designed for neurodivergent learners, including students diagnosed with autism. The curriculum covers sun phenomena, sunspot observation using self-built sunspotters, NASA Helioviewer data analysis, and the solar cycle’s impact on Earth.
Sean will conduct weekly full-day visits, working with four SpEd classes. Each lesson includes hands-on activities, data logging, and discussions tailored to the needs of neurodivergent students. The project also acts as a pilot program, collecting feedback from teachers and students to refine N3 resources and improve their accessibility. Post-lesson interviews and surveys will assess the curriculum’s effectiveness, with results shared with N3 for future iterations and national dissemination.
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
By adapting NASA’s solar science curriculum for neurodivergent students, we aim to provide an inclusive and inspiring learning experience that empowers students to explore and understand the universe." As a neurodivergent individual myself, I wanted to understand what types of resources that N3 provides and to be able to distribute these resources to kids like me.
Sean Dillon
Sun Science for Special Ed. Students in San Antonio PI
Graduate Research Assistant, University of Texas at San Antonio
Solar Science, Special Education, Neurodiversity, STEM Education
Sean Dillon is a PhD candidate and Graduate Research Assistant in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Originally from Los Molinos, California, he earned his B.S. in Physics from California State University – Chico and his M.S. from UTSA. Sean’s research focuses on modeling cosmic dust properties, with experience in magnetohydrodynamic simulations of solar convection and galaxy collisions. He has collaborated with Haverford College on extragalactic cosmology and plans to complete his PhD in Spring 2026. Passionate about science outreach, Sean is committed to making STEM education more accessible to neurodivergent students.
SciAct Team
Native Earth | Native Sky Description
The Native Earth | Native Sky (NENS) program aims to increase the understanding of and interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields for middle school students in the Cherokee, Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations by developing holistic curriculum that interweaves Native American stories and language with STEM principles. Lessons will be combined with art, culture and social studies to celebrate each nation's unique heritage.