Lauren Harrison (physics and astronomy)
For physics and astronomy student Lauren Harrison (she/her), a summer co-op as a video developer in astronomical concepts at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory was a dream come true.
As someone who has always been fascinated with astronomy, math and physics, it was the chance to put her skills and knowledge into practice.
Bringing science into focus
In this role, Lauren developed educational videos focused on radio astronomy and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA).
These videos mainly target astronomers who may have a background in optical astronomy and are new to radio astronomy and interferometry. Lauren was responsible for producing these videos from start to finish—creating storyboards, developing animations and graphics, assisting in script editing, recording narration, and editing the final versions.
"We've produced and released several videos that explore into topics like sidebands, basebands, and spectral windows—all terms related to signal processing and observing. I’ve certainty become very familiar with those concepts! If you’re interested in learning more, I recommend checking out our ." (You can also see the full ).
Learning from colleagues and co-op students
Lauren worked closely with her supervisor as well as another co-op student working in the same role. She was also part of a video working group with students and astronomers from the National Research Council of Canada (NRC Herzberg), the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) and from universities across North America.
"The biggest surprise during my work term was the diversity of people working at the observatory! There’s a variety of different positions—from astronomers and students to IT technicians, various engineers, and those who ensure the site runs smoothly. It’s inspiring to see such a diverse group of individuals, each with their own expertise, work so efficiently together."
Exploring career opportunities
Lauren's co-op gave her the opportunity to meet a variety of professionals and gain insight into how a professional environment operates.
"It’s shown me that there are a variety of options available in the field that I am pursing, whether in research, education, technology or outreach. This co-op has also helped me develop essential skills and broaden my perspective on potential future career paths."
"A big part of my job is educating those who are interested in astronomy, which is a huge personal interest of mine! The opportunity to share and help others understand concepts in radio astronomy is very rewarding. Working at the observatory fuels my own curiosity and inspires me to continue my education in this field. Being surrounded by experts and professionals inspires me to get involved in the community and find more opportunities for learning!"
Making an impact
For Lauren, this co-op has inspired her to continue on her career path and make education more accessible.
"During my co-op, I’ve been actively involved in creating videos geared toward that very goal. These videos are designed with accessibility in mind, including features like closed captions on YouTube and colorblind-friendly visuals. By breaking down challenging concepts into engaging and understandable content, these videos aim to reach a broader audience and encourage more people to explore STEM fields. Ultimately, my goal is to help build a more inclusive and supportive environment for anyone who is interested in astronomy."
The value of co-op
"Co-op is such a fantastic way to try new things and explore your interests. It provides opportunities that can help you grow not only in your career but also as a person. Starting a new job can feel daunting at first but it’s also a great chance to challenge yourself and learn new skills. The skills and connections you build during your co-op can significantly shape your future career path."
What's next
As she returns to the classroom, Lauren has been inspired to continue focusing her education on making a difference through education.
"I’m interested in pursing graduate studies beyond my undergraduate degree, with a focus in astronomy. I’d love to find ways to inspire and educate others about the wonders of the universe. My long-term goal is to build a career in research and academia. I’m excited for future opportunities to combine research, education and public engagement to make a positive impact in the field of astronomy."
Learn more
- Check out Lauren's which is the culmination of her co-op work.
- More about Science co-op
- How to hire a co-op student