Public Affairs and Media Relations for SOFIA Observatory

1. Range of E&PO Office Responsibilities Public Affairs (Public Information, Public Relations, Press Relations) • Press releases and media productions regarding SOFIA achievements • Long-term relationships with media & journalists • Support for media science coverage (e.g. magazines, NOVA) • Support for SOFIA personnel in press & media interviews Education • Research flight experience for educators (eventually) • Summer workshops for college faculty & undergrads to encourage research • Production and dissemination of curricula & class activities; school visits Public Outreach • Public web pages & printed materials • Displays at public events (e.g. air shows); public talks • Informational contacts with local government bodies & representatives Science Community Outreach • SOFIA exhibits & PR materials at science conferences • Support for colloquia by SOFIA scientists & engineers • Role in definition and management of Early Science program

2. SOFIA - A Unique National E&PO facility • SOFIA’s routine operations will be like a high-flying ground-based observatory -- but, in terms of its scientific promise SOFIA will be more like a space observatory -- calling for a substantial Public Affairs (press & media) function to inform the public that their investment has paid off. • SOFIA is the only major research observatory designed from the start, both physically and administratively, to bring journalists and educators into close and frequent contact with scientists in a research environment • SOFIA is uniquely capable of giving non-scientists who are educators – K-12 teachers, college faculty, museum docents, amateur astronomers • -- familiarity with the processes of scientific research.

3. Public Affairs / Press & Media Relations • Standard PR procedures for NASA-funded missions: • NASA issues all U.S. press releases and manages press conferences through launch and start of science operations (= Early Science stage for SOFIA) • During that phase, contractors / science center / instrument teams / academic partners play supporting roles • E.g. USRA & DSI E&PO will generate draft text, graphics, animations etc. for use in NASA press releases • After Early Science, NASA retains right of first acceptance & first refusal of press releases

4. Public Affairs Role in Early Science M100 by HST after COSTAR - Scientific value - low - Value for HST - high • Effectively ended public criticism of • NASA re. Hubble

5. Overlap between Public Affairs &Science Community Outreach • Production of “Early Science” press release materials needs to start as soon as Short Science, Basic Science, & ERO targets are chosen • This process can’t wait until after the observations are made ! • SOFIA E&PO will participate in definition of Early Science targets • Same role for E&PO as in analogous phases of Spitzer, Chandra missions

6. Kuiper Airborne Observatory’s FOSTER program(Flight Opportunities for Science Teacher EnRichment) FOSTER Flight Staff Mission Director Scientists Teachers Reporter It’s 3 AM onboard the KAO ...

7. Two of SOFIA’s planned education programs AAA = Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors Teams of formal & informal educators • Chosen from national applications, in parallel with GO cycle • Partnered by E&PO with consenting researcher teams • Trained for involvement in flight series w/ research partners • Supported by E&PO after flights to enhance local education EP = Earth Partners Individuals or teams of educators • Partnered by E&PO with SOFIA observers in their local areas • Not trained for flights • Could serve as prelude to AAA participation GOs awarded observing time will be offered a menu of E&PO options including the AAA and EP programs