Welcome to the NOAO RBSE site:
NOAO has sponsored the Research-Based Science Education (RBSE) project for a number of years, including an annual teacher’s workshop as well as follow-up opportunities for teachers. Changes in our funding structure requires that we put this program on hold, but we will continue to support past participants in the RBSE program.
If you are interested in research-based astronomy education, you may find our astronomy research projects and data of interest. The site (also linked on the bar at the top of this page) includes background material to get students started. Students who work on these projects, which make use of Kitt Peak Observatory data, are invited to submit papers to our RBSE journal, an annual on-line publication.
Teachers who have participated in the RBSE program are encouraged to consider the TOP observing program which offers time on New Mexico Skies and also time at Kitt Peak National Observatory.
UPCOMING DATES: Fall 2009—Winter 2010
TOP observing (0.9m telescope, imaging only): two opportunities:
- Nov 4-5, (application due Oct 1, 2009)
- Jan 30-31 (application due Dec 1)
In the News:
The Astronomical Society of the Pacific has awarded the 2009 Thomas J. Brennan Award for excellence in the teaching of
astronomy in grades 9-12 to Ardis Herrold, astronomy and
Earth sciences educator at Grosse Pointe North High School in Grosse
Pointe Woods, Michigan. Ardis was in the RBSE program in 1999.
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The Astronomy RBSE program is administered by the National Optical Astronomy Observatory with funds from the National Science Foundation.