Holtwood, PA—September 6, 2022 — Today, Ryan Observatory at Muddy Run named award-winning writer Scott Edward Anderson its first Poet Laureate. Anderson, the author of four books of poetry and two books of nonfiction, is known for his keen observations of the natural world and an often science-based focus in his poetry. As non-resident poet, he will develop initiatives to enhance Ryan Observatory’s STEAM programming through interactive programming that expands and enhances the ways our community experiences poetry.

“At Ryan Observatory, we want to celebrate poetry and its abilities to create connection, promote curious exploration and reflection, and share the stories we all have within us,” said Al Ryan, director, Ryan Observatory. “We are thrilled to deepen our reach into the community through the introduction of our literary arts program offering led by our esteemed partner and Poet Laureate, Scott Edward Anderson.”

Adding the “A” to STEAM education

Ryan Observatory has long emphasized the importance of adding the Arts to Science, Technology, and Engineering education as part of its public outreach programs that seek to augment STEAM, curricula in the schools and in community activities. Anderson will help enhance what Ryan Observatory is already doing with STEAM by aligning scientific and poetic thinking to increase our understanding of the world around and above us.

 “I have long believed that science and the arts are complimentary,” Anderson said. “Much of my poetry was informed by my 15 years in biodiversity conservation. Working alongside biologists, climate scientists, and ecologists, I learned firsthand about individual species, their habitats, and our human impact on ecosystems and the environment, which helped me gain greater precision in my writing. My work with Ryan Observatory will build on that experience.”

A Dialogue for Better Understanding

Anderson intends to develop a dialogue between poets and scientists and to incorporate poetry into Ryan Observatory’s programs through readings, interactive displays, and events for all ages that foster a better understanding of science and astronomy through creative thinking and writing.

“Anderson is an acclaimed writer who uses words to tell stories, bring communities together, and raise the bar for new approaches to art, science, and critical thinking,” said Ryan. “We want Ryan Observatory to be known as a haven for dynamic dreamers to feel inspired and ignite trends — and I know Scott Edward Anderson will use his talents to show our community the immense power of poetry.”

Ryan Observatory at Muddy Run is a community inspired and community driven facility to provide further scientific exploration of the astronomical and natural world.  Ryan Observatory is owned by Constellation Energy and operated by local and Rittenhouse Astronomical Society volunteers.

Scott Edward Anderson is an award-winning poet, memoirist, essayist, and translator. He is the author of Wine-Dark Sea: New & Selected Poems & Translations, Azorean Suite/Suite Açoriana, the Nautilus Award winning Dwelling: an ecopoem,  and two books of non-fiction, including Falling Up: A Memoir of Second Chances and Walks in Nature’s Empire. He has been a Concordia Fellow at Millay Arts and received the Letras Levadas/PEN Açores Award, the Nebraska Review Award, and the Larry Aldrich Emerging Poets Award.