SciAccess, an initiative started by Anna Voelker, outreach coordinator in the Department of Astronomy, has received the Community Engaged Program Award for promoting disability inclusion in science and the STEM fields by connecting disability advocates, students, educators and STEM professionals. The Community Engaged Program Award recognizes outstanding achievement by faculty, staff and/or student led programs/initiatives focused on community-university partnerships and impact.

Ohio State astronomers are coming together across space

For 25 years, astronomy researchers at The Ohio State University have gathered daily at 10:30 a.m., filling a conference room, cradling cups of coffee, and ready to engage in some friendly-but-fierce debates about the latest discoveries in space.

Like so many other gatherings, that all changed last week, as the COVID-19 outbreak closed schools and businesses and government leaders pleaded for people to stay away from one another.

But AstroCoffee is not so easily stopped, even by a global health crisis.

And so, after a one-day hiatus, the leaders moved everything online.

Last week, astronomy faculty, students and researchers signed in to a video meeting from their homes across central Ohio.

And, in a weird pandemic perk, going online made it possible for people to join who normally can’t, including one alum in the Czech Republic.

“We’ve had several of the alumni ringing in, saying, ‘Wow, now I can finally be back,’” said John Beacom, a distinguished professor of astronomy and physics who leads AstroCoffee on Fridays. “It’s been a nice thing, to see those people able to join in again.”

Around 40 people might attend a typical AstroCoffee at McPherson Hall on Ohio State’s campus during normal times. Last Friday, more than 50 joined.

Original Article 

YouTube Video - "Astronomers Daily Coffee Tradition Continues"