NOAO Educational Outreach
Co-investigators Suzanne Jacoby (NOAO), Jeff Lockwood (Sahuaro High School) and Don McCarthy (Steward Observatory) are working now with ten teachers from Tucson in the first-year Pilot Program of The Use of Astronomy in Research Based Science Education, a Teacher Enhancement Program funded through the National Science Foundation's Directorate for Education and Human Resources. About thirty NOAO staff members are joining in the effort to help teachers implement a scientific research component to their classrooms. Program participants this year are:
As I write this we are in the second week of the four week program. The pace is hectic with half the group observing on Kitt Peak and the other half stationed downtown for IPT training and instrument building; the groups switch places in week three. The summer skies have cleared and two sunspot groups have appeared at last on the quiet Sun. Two teachers have persuaded their principals to support them in their efforts to add a research component to existing science classes. Many ways in which our program can be improved for future years are becoming apparent. In future years, teachers will be recruited nationally and require the support of a local astronomer mentor. Opportunities for your involvement will be described in a future article as the efforts of our Pilot Program are evaluated.
Suzanne Jacoby,
NOAO Education Officer