Five Shipley Middle School students traveled to Phoenix, Arizona, in January to present original astronomy research at the American Astronomical Society conference, one of the field’s leading national gatherings.

Led by Middle School science teacher Ace Schwarz, the team spent seven months studying young stars in the Serpens Main star-forming region, building a multi-wavelength catalog and preparing findings typically reserved for advanced researchers. As the youngest presenters at the conference by about 10 years, they fielded questions from graduate students and professional astronomers from NASA and other space agencies.

An extraordinary achievement for these students and a powerful example of what curiosity and dedication can make possible. Congratulations to Aaron C., Iris H., Olivia L., Ava M., Ben N., Milo N., Ella W., and Eliana Y.