Behind the glass: A colorful story of collaboration

What began as a challenge in a small exhibit space has grown into a vibrant example of what’s possible when creativity, science and collaboration come together.

When the Big Eye on Dark Skies: Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET) exhibit, featuring a scale model of the HET, opened at Texas Science & Natural History Museum, its compact footprint made it difficult to include interactive elements. As the museum’s Education Coordinator, I saw this as an opportunity, not a limitation. My goal was to make the exhibit more accessible, engaging and colorful, especially for our younger visitors.

Located at the McDonald Observatory in West Texas, the HET specializes in spectroscopy, a powerful technique that lets astronomers decode the light from stars and galaxies to learn about their composition, motion, temperature and distance. I envisioned live spectroscopy demonstrations, because nothing sparks curiosity like seeing the rainbow of spectral lines with your own eyes.

That vision began to take shape during a Hot Science – Cool Talks event, where I met Michael Jennings, then the Outreach Officer for the Astronomy Student Association (ASA). He mentioned ASA’s interest in tabling at the museum, and I immediately saw the potential. But I also had concerns: traditional spectrum tube demos involve high-voltage power sources and hot fragile glass, less than ideal in a family-friendly space.

So, I sketched out a safer, more practical design, something that would allow our team to focus on the experience, not the setup. The collaboration truly began when we met with Adam Kennedy, the university’s scientific glassblower at the glass shop, an essential resource within the College of Natural Sciences.

In the shop, surrounded by whimsical glass creations and scientific tools, Adam brought the idea to life. He crafted three custom spectral tubes filled with helium, neon and argon. Adam’s talented student worker, Ashot Tumaghyan, redesigned the enclosures and figured out a way to nest them together for portability. He laser cut an acrylic box at the CNS Hello Maker Studio with the help of the Studio Director, Patrick Benfield, and made custom 3D printed hardware to mount the spectroscopy tubes in the box. The result was a functional device that made spectroscopy demonstrations safe, accessible and easy to use.

Adam Kennedy is a true gem in the world of scientific craftsmanship. As UT Austin’s only in-house scientific glassblower, he brings a rare blend of artistry, precision and problem-solving to the university’s community. Since 2010, Adam has been transforming complex scientific ideas into tangible glass tools. Adam’s work is more than technical, it’s deeply creative. His shop is filled with glass sculptures inspired by K–8 student designs, each one a testament to the power of imagination. For years, he’s been quietly transforming student ideas into tangible works of art and science. (See Summer 2025 STEM Girl Day Glass Shop Imaginary Invention Contest)

Thanks to Adam’s craftsmanship and Michael’s continued dedication, now as a Senior Student Associate at the museum, this device has become the centerpiece of our Astronomy Afternoons program. Together, we’ve inspired hundreds of visitors, sparking wonder and curiosity in every colorful glow.

This project is a shining example of what can happen when departments, students and educators come together with a shared purpose. Behind the glass is more than just noble gases; it’s a story of collaboration, creativity and the joy of discovery!