John Blackwell

When asked about Astronomy Instructor John Blackwell’s best qualities, his students couldn’t decide: explanations of string theory and the space-time continuum, or dad jokes? In the 14 years since he began teaching at the academy, Blackwell’s unique mixture of humor, passion for the subjects of astronomy and physics and impressive research experience has made him an indispensable facet of the science department.

Blackwell recalls how his interest in astronomy began from childhood. “I was first drawn to astronomy by a picture book from NASA, showing the earth in photographs taken by the astronauts,” he said. “My parents gave me my first telescope when I was nine, and with that I ‘discovered’ Saturn on my own. I was hooked!”

After graduating from college with degrees in aviation management, flight operations and astronomy, Blackwell spent over a decade of his career working as an engineer for startups, pioneering high-speed video streaming in the early phases of internet growth and development. He came to Exeter at the beginning of the 2004 school year as an astronomy teacher and the director of Grainger Observatory.

“I was looking for work that would allow me to give my knowledge back to the people, a noble cause, rather than working in a very capitalistic schema of corporate America,” Blackwell said, explaining his transition into teaching. “Science, particularly astronomy, has always been a true love of mine. I wanted to share that.”

Blackwell’s love for the subject is evident in his classroom and to his students. “Mr. Blackwell is really engaged and passionate. He makes everyone want to understand astronomy as well as he does, and then makes it possible for that to happen for us,” senior Victoria Lacombe,  a current member of Blackwell’s Selected Topics in Astronomy class, said. “Mr. Blackwell’s most valuable quality is the passion he brings to each and every class, whether it’s first thing in the morning or H block.”

In addition to teaching courses, Blackwell also serves as the director of Grainger Observatory. He uses the observatory’s resources to conduct his own research and involves students from time to time as the weather permits.

“Some of my most recent work has been looking at relationships between the temperatures of Active Galactic Nuclei and their true luminosity,” Blackwell said. “It is an interesting project in that it offers another rung on the cosmic distance ladder for astronomers to use in determining the scale of the universe.”

The astronomy teacher strives to bring his valuable practical research experience into his classroom. “One thing I really appreciate about him is that he's had a lot of personal experience with actual research,” senior Euwie Park said. “It's nice to have a teacher who has simply studied what he's teaching.”

Meanwhile, senior Ollie Young, co-head of Astronomy Club, commented on Blackwell’s dedication as faculty advisor. “Mr. Blackwell loves to have kids out at the observatory, and has amazing rapport with everyone who comes out,” Blackwell said. “His ability to keep people engaged no matter their age or understanding is beyond impressive.”

According to Allison Hobbie, chair of the science department, Blackwell’s enthusiasm reaches beyond the confines of Exeter. “Friday nights are public nights at the observatory, and anyone from the public can come, and he’s there to greet anyone. His passion just extends, it bubbles out of high school and into everywhere around him,” she said.

While teaching at Exeter, Blackwell has continued to maintain a blog on astronomy education, featuring his research in topics such as spectroscopy, the study of electromagnetic radiation and magnetometry, the study of magnetism in the earth’s soil.

In addition to teaching astronomy and physics, Blackwell has co-taught a combined science and religion course called Epistemology with Religion Instructor Dr. Hannah Hofheinz for the past two years. Hofheinz described the dynamic between her and Blackwell in the classroom, saying, “He and I have an energizing rapport; our different backgrounds and approaches meet at the shared questions and concerns.” The two complement each other’s skill sets very evidently during the class, each taking turns leading meditations at the beginning of class or asking fundamental, guiding questions throughout.

Blackwell cites his “wonderful students and marvelous colleagues” as his most valued aspect of life at Exeter. He recalled a particularly memorable night in the fall of 2004, his first year teaching at the academy, during which the entire prep class gathered at the observatory to watch a total lunar eclipse while listening to a world series game. “The Red Sox won their first World Series in 84 years that night,” he said. “We had radios playing the game as we watched the eclipse. A very special night indeed!”

Blackwell’s “marvelous colleagues” had even more wonderful things to say about him. “Mr. Blackwell's knowledgeable enthusiasm, willingness to to take risks, and true care for the students and their conversations create a rich texture for the class,” Hofheinz said. “He is capable of holding so much life, mystery, joy, and discovery in his role as teacher, colleague, and friend.”