معرفی
Matthew Pryal serves as an Assistant Professor of the General Faculty in the Astronomy Department at the University of Virginia's College of Arts and Sciences, where he has taught large-enrollment introductory astronomy courses for non-science majors since August 2021. His position focuses on teaching excellence and public outreach, with significant contributions to community astronomy education across Charlottesville and Albemarle County.
Dr. Pryal earned his B.S. in Astronomy & Astrophysics in 2015 from Penn State University followed by a Ph.D. in Astronomy from the University of Virginia in 2020. His educational background informs his approach to making astronomy accessible to diverse audiences.
His primary research interests center on astronomy education and science communication rather than traditional astronomical research. Pryal specializes in developing effective methods for teaching astronomy to non-science majors and creating engaging public outreach experiences. His work emphasizes making complex astronomical concepts understandable and exciting for general audiences through various formats including planetarium shows, public lectures, and informal settings like breweries.
Analysis of his recent media appearances reveals consistent focus on making astronomy accessible to the public. His work spans celestial events (eclipses, meteor showers), space missions (Artemis, DART), and fundamental astronomical concepts. The trend shows increasing sophistication in public engagement techniques while maintaining approachability for non-expert audiences.
- 2024 Award for Excellence in Teaching from the UVA Jefferson Scholars Foundation
As a dedicated educator, Pryal has developed numerous teaching materials and presentations for both classroom and public settings. His outreach efforts include organizing over 28 Astronomy on Tap events since 2019, conducting more than 200 planetarium shows reaching over 4,000 people, and leading the Dark Skies, Bright Kids program from 2016-2019. He frequently collaborates with local schools, community organizations, and media outlets to expand astronomy education opportunities.
Pryal leads Astronomy on Tap - Charlottesville under his alter ego 'Buzzed Lightyear,' organizes planetarium events using the DSBK portable system, and volunteers at UVA's McCormick and Fan Mountain observatories. His outreach teams include collaborators from the Astronomy Department, local educators, and community volunteers who help bring astronomy to diverse audiences through relaxed, engaging formats.
