About BRIEF
Boyce-Astro - An extension of B.R.I.E.F
Our Mission
The Boyce Research Initiatives and Education Foundation (B.R.I.E.F.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded on a simple idea: students learn science best by doing real science.
BRIEF primarily serves students seeking opportunities in astronomy and scientific research beyond what their schools offer. Participation is generally voluntary and extracurricular, giving students the chance to work with real observations, data, and research questions.
BRIEF connects students and early-career astronomers with experienced scientists, engineers, educators, and amateur and professional astronomers. Many mentors see their involvement as a way to pay forward the guidance and opportunities they received when they were young. Students and young professionals, in turn, are eager to learn from that experience, creating a natural exchange of ideas and expertise. Together, they engage in the full research process—from planning observations and collecting data to analysis, interpretation, and presenting or publishing results.
Group experience at Mount Wilson
BRIEF began in 2013, inspired by Pat and Grady Boyce’s experience teaching astronomy to high school students and their belief that science should be experienced directly, not only through classrooms and textbooks. Since then, its work has expanded from introductory observing and double-star research to exoplanets, speckle interferometry, spectroscopy, radio astronomy, and advanced telescope operations.
Today, students use remote and robotic observatories, BRIEF-operated facilities, and professional-scale telescopes, including those at Mount Wilson Observatory. They also participate in NASA/JPL Exoplanet Watch, NASA TESS, and AAVSO observing programs.
BRIEF has trained well over one thousand students and mentored over one hundred student research teams through scientific publication. Its programs now extend beyond the local community, connecting an international network of learners, instructors, mentors, and research collaborators.
Our mission remains unchanged: to connect students with the science and technology communities through meaningful participation in the scientific process.
A Short History
2017 – Helped launch and host the first Robotic Telescopes, Student Research and Education (RTSRE) conference in San Diego.
2018 – First light at the Boyce Astro Research Observatory (BARO), BRIEF’s first robotic observatory; became a founding member of LCO Global Partners.
2019 onward – Expanded student participation into exoplanet education and research and expanded remote observations into speckle interferometry, spectroscopy, Mount Wilson research, and recently radio astronomy.
2020 – Adopted hybrid online education model and free online IntroSTARS TM and Tutorials
2022 – Boyce Astro Research Observatory – North (BARON), received from a generous donor, saw first light
Today –BRIEF supports a growing international community of students, instructors, mentors, and collaborators engaged in authentic astronomical research.
BRIEF’s initiatives are guided by an Advisory Board of leaders in science and education:
Dr. Philip Blanco (Grossmont College)
Dr. Jae Calanog (Miramar College)
Mike Chasin (San Diego Astronomy Association)
Dr. Stella Kafka (Past CEO of the AAVSO)
An experienced Board of Directors oversees BRIEF’s management and administration:
Mr. Garrison Armstrong, Esq.
Mr. Pat Boyce, Executive Director
Mr. Robert Coles, Treasurer
Ms. Debbie Fritsch, Secretary
Mr. Richard Schulman
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and private operating foundation, BRIEF will provide its corporate filings as required by the IRS. You may request these documents per the attached procedure. Click here for the details.