The Women and Girls in Astronomy Program (WGAP) inspires and supports women, girls, and underrepresented genders in the field of astronomy. The 2024 cohort has now been announced and ten unique astronomy for development projects aimed at addressing and challenging the underrepresentation of women and girls in astronomy from a variety of perspectives will be funded with $2000 USD mini-grants awarded by the NA-ROAD, and sponsored by the Heising-Simons Foundation. Project leads will tackle diverse astronomy for development challenges in their communities.

The goal of Accessible Astronomy Software for All is to provide an astronomy image analysis software tool, training, and user support for individuals in high-needs areas and traditionally underrepresented groups. Afterglow Access, a product of the NSF-funded IDATA project is a web-based astronomy image analysis tool that can be used by individuals (middle school and up) to view and analyze astronomical images. In addition, the software tool is, in part, blind and visually impaired accessible, and is available free via any web browser. Further, the software tool is being made available in both English and Spanish.  

In 2001 UNESCO proclaimed the 10th of November as the “World Science Day for Peace and Development” to highlight the significant role of science in society and the need to engage the wider public in debates on emerging scientific issues. This day also underlines the importance and relevance of science in our daily lives. The North America Office of Astronomy for Development (NA-ROAD), in collaboration with the Mexican Office of Astronomy for Outreach (OAO-NOC-MX), Mexican Office of Astronomy for Education (OAE-NAEC-MX) and the Astrofísicos en Acción outreach organization invite the general public to celebrate (in a Mexican style) this day and ponder on the role that astronomy has in our everyday life.