Impact Summary: The Spitzer Space Telescope Research Program for Teachers and Students

摘要

The Spitzer Space Telescope Research Program for Teachers and Students was a four-year joint project between the Spitzer Science Center (SSC) and the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) that concluded in 2009. Through the program, teams of teachers and students were provided with unique opportunities to observe with the Spitzer Space Telescope and work with Spitzer and NOAO scientists. This study finds evidence of significant success. From the eleven major research projects sponsored by the program, 33 scientific posters have been presented, and a number of scientific papers have been published. Records indicate there have been nearly 100 newspaper, radio, and TV reports, and numerous Internet articles reporting on various aspects of teacher and student involvement in the project, and over 100 students feel the program has influenced them to pursue careers in science. This highly successful program has now become the NASA/IPAC Teacher Archive Research Project (NITARP), with funding from the NASA ADP program and the archives at IPAC. The teachers include Jeff Adkins CA, John Blackwell NH, Kareen Borders WA, Howard Chun RI , Lauren Chapple MI, Harlan Devore NC, Velvet Dowdy KY, Cris DeWolf MI, Peter Guastella NY, Rosa Hemphill OR, Ardis Herrold MI, Chelen Johnson MN, Virginia Jones ID, Susan Kelly NY, Thomas Loughran IN, Tony Maranto NH, Chris Martin AZ, David McDonald MT, Jeff Paradis NY, Vincent Pereira NY, Peter Pitman MN, Steve Rapp VA, Theresa Roelofsen NJ, John Schaefers PA, Babs Sepulveda CA, Linda Stefaniak NJ, Tim Spuck PA, Dwight Taylor AK, Jen Tetler WA, Beth Thomas MT, Cynthia Weehler TX, and Lynne Zielinski IL. Teachers and students involved in the project have been sharing their experience with other educators, scientists, amateur astronomers, and members of the general public. These presentations have taken place in their local areas, as well as in the state, national, and international arena. Some examples of forum locations include: • American Astronomical Society meetings • National Science Teachers Association conferences • State Science Teachers conferences • Christa McAuliffe Planetarium • Carnegie Science Center • Hands-On Universe Conference in France • INTEL Science Fair • ASTROBLAST Regional Star Party • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics TRAINING: Teachers/students attended work sessions at the Spitzer Science Center where they learned how to use MOPEX, Spot, Leopard, and other data analysis software and techniques. • 1200+ students use Spitzer data through the program, • 105 students feel the program has influenced them to pursue careers in science, • 45 students select careers in space sciences, • 42 students involved in the project have entered science fairs across the United States, and they are bringing home top prizes. Deer Valley High School, CA Brielle Hinckley won 3rd place at the 2006 Contra Costa County Science and Engineering Fair. Thomas Travagli and Alekzandir Morton won 1st Place at the Contra Costa County Science and Engineering Fair 2007 and 1st Place Contra Costa County Science and Engineering fair 2008. 1st Place California State Science Fair 2008. Manhasset High School, NY Ashley Peter, Will Wassmer and Rose Haber won 3rd place at the Rohm Haas Invitational Science Fair. Mecosta-Osceola Intermediate School District, MI Justin Boerma, Stephen Brock, Trevor DeWolf won Regional Science & Engineering Fair Top Team Award and the Michigan Earth Science Teachers Association Award of Excellence in Earth & Space Science. Oil City Area High School, PA Danielle Yeager won 1st Place at 2008 Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair Engineering/Robotics Senior Division; Matt Walentosky won a Top Three Award to move on to the 2008 International Science & Engineering Fair where he took 2nd Place in the Physics and Astronomy Division and the American Astronomical Society Sponsors Award; Nick Kelley won 1st Place in Earth/Space and Environment Senior Division and the Ca