A founding gift from longtime Smithsonian supporter Laura Peebles and the Barbara Hebner Charitable Fund at Vanguard Charitable will launch the Smithsonian Scientists Taking Astronomy to Rural Schools (STARS) program to serve rural communities across Delaware. The Smithsonian STARS program brings standards-aligned astronomy and space science experiences to students and educators in rural communities. Founded by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, the STARS program will provide telescopes, lesson plans, and special events for every rural school in Delaware. By leveraging the incredible dark skies over rural communities, Smithsonian STARS is expanding access to and understanding of the spectacular night skies that shine over rural America. About the Smithsonian Astrophysical ObservatoryThe Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is the largest research center of the Smithsonian Institution and part of the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, the largest astrophysics research center in the world.