Dr. Maureen Hintz, lecturer in the Department of Physics at Utah Valley University (UVU), has been selected as the American Planetarium Operator in Italy for 2026 by the International Planetarium Society.
Dr. Maureen Hintz, lecturer in the Department of Physics at Utah Valley University (UVU), has been selected as the American Planetarium Operator in Italy for 2026 by the International Planetarium Society. This recognition reflects Hintz’s distinguished contributions to astronomy education and her innovative application of pedagogical strategies within the planetarium setting.
Hintz uses the UVU Planetarium to engage students and community audiences in the study of astronomy and physics, fostering curiosity and scholarly interest in these disciplines. Her pedagogical methods and outreach activities have received international attention, culminating in her selection to participate in the 31st annual “Two Weeks in Italy” program. This longstanding initiative brings American educators to multiple Italian cities, including Perugia, Assisi, Florence, Ravenna, Lumezzane, and Gorizia, to provide advanced instruction in astronomy and planetarium pedagogy.
For her 2026 lecture series, Hintz will focus on the origin and evolution of the calendar, integrating the astronomical practices of the American Southwest. Her presentations will examine Chaco Canyon in New Mexico, a ceremonial center of the Anasazi people, and the region’s archaeoastronomical alignments, including the renowned Sun Dagger phenomenon, which demarcates key epochs of the ancient astronomical calendar.
Supported by the International Planetarium Society, which provides travel funding for the selected lecturer, the program offers an opportunity for Italian planetariums to host Hintz and engage with her research-based pedagogical approach.
Hintz’s selection underscores her commitment to student success, scholarly excellence, and the advancement of physics and astronomy education. Her work at the UVU Planetarium exemplifies the College of Science’s dedication to cultivating intellectual curiosity and fostering academic rigor among students and the broader community.
