PartnershipsPartnerships

It’s 1986. NSF asks NRAO to open its It’s 1986. NSF asks NRAO to open its doors to high school teachers.doors to high school teachers.

for help.for help.We turn toWe turn to

Joint Proposal submitted to the NSF.Joint Proposal submitted to the NSF.

Result: Secondary Science Teachers Institute Result: Secondary Science Teachers Institute

• Core experience: Scientific Research on the 40 Ft. telescope.

• Team research/NRAO scientist mentors.

• Astronomy content.

• Research talks.

• In-depth tours.

• Classroom applications/WVU!

• Proven to change teacher practices in the classroom.

20 years later…20 years later…

• 4 successful grants to the NSF 4 successful grants to the NSF 17 years (~3.5 million dollars)! 17 years (~3.5 million dollars)!

• NASA now funds the program.NASA now funds the program.

• Preservice program for GSC and FSU.Preservice program for GSC and FSU.

• 1000+ teachers-- ~60% from West 1000+ teachers-- ~60% from West Virginia.Virginia.

And…

StudentsStudents• Overnight (or longer) field trips.• 2400 students used the 40 Foot telescope

over the past 12 months.• Grade School to Grad School.

West Virginia Governor’s SchoolWest Virginia Governor’s SchoolFunded by WV EPSCoR.Goal: To encourage students’ interest in STEM careers before they enter high school.

60 rising freshman/year.

What’s next?What’s next?

Pulsar Search Collaboratory– Proposal Submitted to NSF ITEST.– To involve students in the search for new

pulsars, and radio astronomy science.– “Distributed computing”.

Partnership between WVU physics, computer science, and education departments, WV EPSCoR, WV Dept. of Ed. and NRAO.

The Green Bank TelescopeThe Green Bank Telescope

Your Mountain Ear!Your Mountain Ear!