Maria Mitchell Association Logo

Maria Mitchell In Her Own Words

Jascin N. Leonardo Finger • December 14, 2015

Dec. 9, 1865 I have a class of pupils, seventeen in number, the youngest 16 the eldest 22. They come to me for 50m. every day. I am no teacher, but I give them a lesson to learn and the next day the recitation is half a conversational lecture and half questions and answers. I allow them great freedom of questions and they puzzle me daily. They show more mathematical ability than I had expected and more originality of thought. I doubt if young men of that age would take as much interest in science.


This was Maria Mitchell’s first semester of teaching. Vassar Female College had opened its doors in September 1856. As I have noted before, Maria was skeptical of her ability to teach these young women – the future of female scientists in the U.S. It was her father’s encouragement that made her realize she could do. She had also once said that as a general rule “teachers talk too much.” Thus, her classes were not lectures but as she notes here, conversations and questions and answers. I realize now that when I taught for a few years here on island, in addition to my MMA duties, I taught very much in the same way. And I always told them no question was silly – just don’t ask me why the sky is blue when we are talking about the American Revolution! Yes, there were things I had to cover for my young students, but in my social studies classes we talked a lot as a group with me providing family anecdotes in order for my students to better understand the time we were speaking about. Of course, Maria often came up too. But when speaking of the Great Depression, for example, they learned about my Nana and her “new” bike – made by her very mechanically talented brother who collected old and used bike parts from junkyards to make her a “new” bike – she was the only child in her neighborhood in New Haven, Conn. to have a “new” bike – and probably throughout much of the Elm City! And, I know Maria taught that way as well.


JNLF

Recent Posts

April 1, 2025
NANTUCKET, MA—In celebration of 2025 International Dark Sky Week, the Nantucket Conservation Foundation, Nantucket Lights, and the Maria Mitchell Association invite the community to an unforgettable evening of stargazing at Altar Rock in the Middle Moors. This free, family-friendly event, set for April 23, 2025, provides a rare opportunity to experience Nantucket at night and gain a deeper appreciation for the environmental significance of dark skies and how to preserve them.  Guided by expert stargazers, attendees will explore the night sky — all its constellations and celestial wonders — in a pristine, low-light environment. This collaborative community event presents an ideal opportunity to connect with nature, engage with like-minded individuals, and be inspired by the beauty of the night. Advance registration is strongly encouraged for weather-related updates. Event Details: • Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2025 • Rain/Cloud Date: Thursday, April 24, 2025 • Time: 8:00PM – 9:30PM • Location: Altar Rock, Middle Moors, Nantucket • Parking: Free parking will be available along Altar Rock Road, with volunteers on hand to guide attendees to the event site. Carpooling is strongly encouraged. • Registration link: http://support.nantucketconservation.org/site/Calendar?id=101941&view=Detail • Open to all ages. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, children must be accompanied by at least one adult. • Attendees are encouraged to dress appropriately for current weather conditions and wear comfortable footwear, as the event will involve a short walk up to Altar Rock. For added comfort, we recommend bringing blankets or chairs. About International Dark Sky Week: International Dark Sky Week is a global initiative of DarkSky International to celebrate the dark and natural night sky, raise awareness about light pollution, and promote the use of environmentally responsible outdoor lighting during the week of the new moon in April each year. About the Nantucket Conservation Foundation: The Nantucket Conservation Foundation owns, protects, and stewards over 9,000 acres of land and coastal shoreline, conserves Nantucket’s rare and significant natural resources, and engages in impactful ecological research to inform resource management and further our knowledge of Nantucket’s unique ecosystems and species. Through conservation, education, and stewardship, the Foundation aims to maintain Nantucket’s unique ecosystems and natural beauty for future generations. About Nantucket Lights: Nantucket Lights is an all-volunteer citizen advocacy group committed to preserving and protecting Nantucket’s nighttime environment and heritage of dark skies by raising awareness about light pollution on the island and advocating for environmentally responsible outdoor lighting. About the Maria Mitchell Association: The Maria Mitchell Association was founded in 1902 to preserve the legacy of Nantucket native astronomer, naturalist, librarian, and educator, Maria Mitchell. After she discovered a comet in 1847, Mitchell’s international fame led to many achievements and awards, including an appointment as the first female professor of astronomy at Vassar College. Maria Mitchell believed in “learning by doing” and today that philosophy is reflected in the MMA’s mission statement, programs, research projects, and other activities. The Maria Mitchell Association operates two observatories, a natural science museum, an aquarium, a research center, and preserves the historic birthplace of Maria Mitchell. A wide variety of science and history-related programming is offered throughout the year for people of all ages. ###
April 1, 2025
“If you don’t look, you don’t see. You have to go and look.” -Edith Andrews
By Jascin N. Leonardo Finger March 24, 2025
I have posted this during Women’s History Month before but because it is March and Women’s History Month, I think it’s worth repeating. It’s clever and helps to tell an important story in women’s history while giving it a bit of a 21 st century twist. It comes via the National Women’s History Project. http://soomopublishing.com/suffrage/ JNLF
Show More
Share by: