How the Astronomy Club President Still Reaches for the Stars

HOUSTON

Ashley Artaza

 The Astronomy Club of the University of Houston: Clear Lake has experienced many ups and downs in recent years. From changing presidents to changing their organization’s name and functionality, they continue to suffer from a lack of engaged members.

“Planning events takes a lot of effort,” President Tyler Lucio says. “We have over a hundred members in our community Discord, but only a handful ever show up in person.”

The Astronomy Club holds meetings every third Friday of the month on the university’s nature reserve. Lucio holds game nights and competitions on Discord, as well as sponsors trips to the Johnson Space Center. But despite being in the backyard of NASA, it’s been a struggle to retain active members. He fears that people may be turned off by the technical side.

“We changed names because a lot of people were intimidated by the physics, but I’m not even a STEM major. I’m a Communication major,” Lucio says.

But not all hope is lost. The members who do show up are easily excitable and happy to share their experiences and future stargazing goals.

“I’ve always loved looking at the stars and being surrounded by nature,” says Kalyn on her first stargazing night. She’s a new club member and a freshman at the university. As this is her first time away from home, she was nervous about starting her academic life. “So when I saw this club and its stargazing events, that really helped seal the deal for me on this university.”

“It’s a good vibe,” says Spencer, another freshman. “You can play music, bring snacks, and there’s always someone to tell you where Saturn is. I didn’t expect to love it, but now I do.”

Trinity, a junior with her own telescope, is excited to show it off to her new friends. “My grandfather sold some of his own stuff to help me buy this scope. He did it because he loved to see how happy watching the night sky made me and I want to share that happiness with others.”

There are a lot of uncontrollable factors to face when leading a club, but Tyler Lucio is determined to make the space he’s carved out for others a home away from home. He plans to put his all into it until he graduates and passes the legacy on to someone just as passionate.

“We’re not trying to be the biggest or most amazing club,” Lucio says. “We just want to make space for everyone to do what they love. And what I love most of all is to be there during their first time looking through the telescope and seeing their world completely change.”

###