Jamie Kern

Jamie Kern earned her BA in physics with mathematics and astronomy minors at Alfred University, and MS in physics with astrophysics concentration at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. After working as a research specialist writing code to collect and analyze data from the CESR (Cornell Electron Storage Ring) particle accelerator, she joined the physics departments at Bridgewater State University and Massasoit Community College as a part-time faculty member. In 2011, she became the manager of the Bridgewater State University Observatory, and is now dedicated full-time to astronomy research, teaching and outreach. She is co-founder and manager of the BSU Experimental Astrophysics Research (BEAR) Team, supported by the NASA Massachusetts Space Grant Consortium, whose members study exoplanets, type Ia supernovae, and the sun. She develops and implements K-12 workshops to make knowledge in various fields (including planetary science, astrophysics and astrobiology) accessible to the community in addition to organizing public stargazing events. She has created and co-created multiple courses at BSU, including Physics of Music, Astrophotography, Astrophysical Imaging and Astronomy for Teachers - a course for K-12 teachers to support their implementation of the state’s STEM curriculum standards. She has received multiple teaching awards at BSU, including the Presidential Award for Distinguished Adjunct Teaching, the Presidential Award for Excellence in Collaboration to Improve Teaching and the Honors Outstanding Faculty Award.