the akamai observatory short course 200 7

The Akamai Observatory

Short Course

2007

AOSC 07 Anticipated Core Team

• S. Anderson (Keck) : Hawaii Island Internship Program Coordinator

• D. Le Mignant (Keck) : Lead instructor

• S. Seagroves, L. Hunter and H. O’Bryan (CfAO Ed.): Brains

• R. Matsuda (WMKO), M. McElwain (UCLA): Instructors

Photos: Sarah Anderson

Outline

1. The Hawaii Island internship program

2. From the AOSC goals, to the curriculum

3. Week layout

4. Students feedback

5. So, what’s next?

1 - Hawaii Island Internship Program

• Eight Week Summer Internship Program• funded by the Center for Adaptive Optics

• Hawaii Island observatories • Educational institutions • Hawaii-based students

• AOSC:• 5 day intensive preparatory course, prior to placement at host

observatories• Model that CfAO uses for all internship programs• 2006 focus on the relationship between science and engineering

• Keck Observatory- 5 interns• 6 mentors> 4 engineers, 1 astronomer & 1librarian

• Gemini North- 2 interns• 2 mentors> 1 engineer, 1 astronomer

• Smithsonian Submillimeter Array- 1 intern• 1 mentor> engineer

• Institute for Astronomy, Hilo- 1 intern• 1 mentor> engineer

• Subaru Telescope- 2 interns• 2 mentors> 2 engineers

• University of Hawaii Hilo with U of Tokyo- 2 interns

• 1 mentor, 2 advisors> astronomer, professors

1. Participating Observatories & Institutions

Home Institutions: University of Hawaii at Hilo (Astronomy and Physics & CS)

4 students Hawaii Community College (Electronics Technology)

3 students University of Hawaii at Manoa (Electrical, Civil & Mechanical Engineering)

3 students College out of State (Aeronautical Engineering, Astronomy) -

3 students

Gender: 5 women, 8 men

Origins: Diverse, including 5 students of Hawaiian ancestry 9 students born in Hawaii

2006 students cohort

2. The AOSC goals:1. To retain and advance Hawaii college students, especially

students from underrepresented groups, into science and technology careers, by preparing for successful internships and enhancing their skills, knowledge, resources and confidence in observatory related fields.

2. To develop pathways, partnerships, and a sense of community between Hawaii-based colleges, students and observatories by promoting a common enthusiasm for [astronomy-related] sciences and engineering while preserving a deep respect for Hawaii’s diverse and rich cultural environment.

2. The path forward..

1. Sharing excitement in modern astronomy, sciences and engineering, which includes understanding the driving aspects of astronomy

2. Gaining scientific and engineering practice and experience

3. Presenting and discussing the use and impact of astronomy in the development of societies.

4. Workplace skills to prepare the students for their internships

5. Community and Workforce Development6. Communication Skills

2. From goals to the curriculum

We checked our activities and the balance against our goals

We keep many activities from previous year General science talks, summit visit, science

inquiry, abstract writing, past-intern talks,

We started some new activities: Treasure hunt, science and engineering session,

cultural session at Hale Pohaku

A big challenge: it’s only 5 days…

3. Week Layout

A short week in Paradise Hilo: Sunday, Monday - Tuesday Summit: Tuesday ev. & Wednesday Waimea: Thursday & Friday

3.1 Curriculum Sunday ev.:

Ice breakers & Intro to Cosmic treasure hunt Monday am:

Big picture intro Past intern talk Cosmic bolts and nuts Talk

Monday pm: Science Inquiry Tuesday am:

Science inquiry Introduce and have lunch with Hilo mentors

Tuesday pm: Cultural with Koa Ell at Hale Pohaku Dinner and Stargazing

Wednesday: Summit day (& treasure hunt) Safety intro Subaru / SMA Keck I / II & Keck interferometer

Drive to Waimea

3.2 Curriculum Thursday am:

Astronomy: past and present by Keck Observatory director

Hawaii Island Economic Outlook Cosmic treasure chest opening Abstract Writing session

Thursday pm: Science & engineering (~3h)

Mission to Mars Friday am:

Past Intern talk (2) Observatory immersion Activity

Friday pm: Follow your college brick road… Communication session Evaluation & Celebration BBQ

4. Did student like it?

Too much positive feedback from students Cruising

Many activities are eye-opener for the students They feel it was a unique experience for them They like and use the feedback channels They love the mix of science and engineering

To tune: Balance between engineering and science Summit (stargazing, transportation, oxygen, Keck visit) More time for inquiry and science & eng. More time to develop own solutions

5. So, what’s next? Goals will be similar. AOSC now becomes a course credit for HCC. We like the mix of science and engineering for both students

and instructors. We want to keep including Observatory staff

We are recruiting instructors! We will be at the PDW

Great potential for inputs: Science Inquiry Science and engineering: mission to Europa!? Cosmic Treasure Hunt

And we love new IDEAS!!!