Morehead State physics students lead light pollution outreach

Morehead State University physics faculty and students are partnering with the Rowan County Public Library to host a hands-on outreach event focused on light pollution, offering students valuable teaching experience while helping the community better understand an often-overlooked environmental issue.

The event is Friday, April 17, at 6 p.m. at the Rowan County Public Library, 175 Beacon Hill Drive. It's led by MSU faculty members:

• Associate Professor of Physics, Dr. Kevin Adkins (Class of 2011)
• Professor of Physics, Dr. Jennifer Birriel
• Assistant Professor of Physics, John Waite
• Professor of Physics, Dr. Ignacio Birriel

Along with participating students, the program will feature interactive activities designed to demonstrate how artificial lighting affects nighttime environments and what can be done to reduce its impact.

Students will play a central role in leading the event, guiding participants through tabletop demonstrations and explaining key concepts. For those involved, the outreach offers a meaningful opportunity to build real-world communication and teaching skills.

“The students who are involved in this event will have the opportunity to interact with the Morehead and Rowan County community,” said Adkins. “They will be presenting the activities that the participants will be engaged in. Beyond engaging the community, this is an excellent opportunity for students who aspire to graduate school to practice their teaching presentation skills before they are placed into the classroom.”

The event is designed to make complex scientific concepts accessible through hands-on learning. Participants will explore how different lighting choices influence visibility at night and learn practical ways to reduce light pollution in their own communities.

“The event will be a hands-on exploration of light pollution and some of the potential solutions to the problems it causes,” said Adkins. “Also, participants will learn how they can use the naked eye to evaluate the level of light pollution and participate in a citizen science study through Globe at Night.”

In addition to fostering student development, the event aims to create a direct and lasting impact on the local community by increasing awareness of the broader consequences of light pollution.

“The local community will be shown why light pollution is a problem and will be able to immediately identify the sources of the issue,” said Adkins. “Moreover, they will learn what some of the negative impacts of light pollution are: health impacts on humans, environmental impacts on animals. Finally, they will learn some things they can do at the local level to make an impact on reducing the problem.”

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, you can contact Adkins at jkadkins@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2918.

To learn more about its programs, contact the Department of Engineering Sciences at 606-783-2381.