Presentation Abstract

Presentation Number 248.11
Presentation Time: Tuesday, Jan 11, 2011, 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Title Authentic Astronomy Research Experiences for Teachers: the NASA/IPAC Teacher Archive Research Program (NITARP)
Author Block Luisa M. Rebull1, V. Gorjian2, G. Squires1, NITARP Team
1Caltech, 2JPL.
Abstract How many times have you gotten a question from the general public, or read a news story, and concluded that "they just don't understand how real science works"? One really good way to get the word out about how science works is to have more people experience the process of scientific research. The way we have chosen to do this, since 2004, is to provide authentic research experiences for teachers using Spitzer data. (The program used to be called the Spitzer Teacher Program for Teachers and Students, and in 2009 was rechristened NITARP, the NASA/IPAC Teacher Archive Research Program.) We partner small groups of teachers with a mentor astronomer, they do research as a team, write up a poster, and present it at an AAS meeting. The teachers incorporate this experience into their classroom, and their experiences color their teaching for years to come, influencing 100s of students per teacher. Four different teams from the 2010 class of NITARP teachers are presenting scientific and educational results at this AAS meeting; please look for them!