Meet Our Newest Facilitator Explainer!
If you visited The Franklin Institute during the weekend and explored a guided experience at the Holt & Miller Observatory, you may have already met one of our newest team members—Sophia, or “Soph” for short! Soph recently joined us as a Facilitator Explainer, where she brings her passion for space science to life for visitors of all ages.
Soph is a graduate of Penn State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in astrophysics with a minor in physics. Whether she’s guiding guests through the observatory or sparking curiosity on the museum floor, Soph is excited to help visitors connect with the wonders of the universe.
We recently sat down with Soph to learn more about what sparked her love for astronomy and what she enjoys sharing most with our guests.
What first sparked your interest in astronomy or space science?
“The first thing that sparked my interest in astronomy was a tiny refractor telescope that my uncle gave me when I was in elementary school. I would take it out on every clear night and point it at the Moon, always feeling so proud when I got it into perfect focus. My ultimate goal was to find Saturn!”
Do you have a favorite planet, star, or celestial object?
“My favorite celestial object would have to be Pleiades, also known as the “seven sisters” star cluster, found in the winter sky as part of the constellation Taurus. This object is my favorite not only because of its distinct shape (visible with the naked eye), but also because it appears alongside one of the most distinguishable constellations in the night sky, Orion.”
What's the most surprising or fun fact you love to share with visitors?
“Fun fact, I love to show visitors how the two solar filters at The Franklin Institute look at two different layers of the sun! People may know that the sun has different layers, but it can be surprising to find out that you can look at them separately. Our Mylar filter looks at the photosphere, while our hydrogen-alpha filter looks at the chromosphere.”
Can you share a memorable interaction you’ve had with a visitor so far?
“One memorable interaction I’ve had with a visitor was outside of the observatory, in the second-floor Wondrous Space exhibit. While working on our black hole simulation interactive, one boy came up and started naming every feature, characteristic, and fact about black holes that you could possibly think of! He had just about as much black hole knowledge as I did… and he was 11! He was so passionate about space and science in general, and we had such a lovely conversation about all that is possible for him in his future. The moment became even more memorable when he told me his name was Franklin!”
What do you like to do when you're not exploring the universe?
“When I’m not exploring the universe, I love to be in the gym! I am a competitive powerlifter, and I love dedicating as much time as I can to training. I also enjoy spending time with family, traveling, reading, and drawing.”