EDUCATIONAL REACH-OUT PROGRAMS IN ASTRONOMY EuROPA Dr. J. Patrick Miller Holland School of Science & Mathematics Hardin-Simmons University Abilene, Texas July 2008

Centered at Hardin-Simmons University, EuROPA is an educational outreach (“reach-out”) program in astronomy for high schools and colleges. Its purpose is to provide Internet-based tools to students so they can make original discoveries in astronomy. Through the Internet and at major astronomical facilities, students participate in research studies in astronomy. Teachers receive training in astronomy, and learn to use hands-on research methods in their classrooms and labs.

EuROPA IASCStRSTTPs IASC = International Asteroid Search Campaign (“Isaac”) StRS = Student Research Studies (“Stirs”) TTPs = Teacher Training Programs (“Tips”)

International Asteroid Search Campaign (IASC) Yerkes Observatory (University of Chicago) The seeds for IASC began in June 2006 at the Hands-On Universe annual meeting held at the Yerkes Observatory (University of Chicago). Teachers expressed a need for an on-going program in astronomy and astrophysics that allowed them access to real-time images for analysis by their students. This expressed need and the networking of professionals, amateurs, and educators at the Yerkes meeting led directly to the creation of IASC.

The International Asteroid Search Campaign (IASC) is an Internet-based educational service program provided at no charge to participating high schools and colleges. Centered at Hardin-Simmons University (Abilene, TX), IASC is a collaboration of the Lawrence Hall of Science (University of California, Berkeley) Astronomical Research Institute (Charleston, IL) Astrometrica (H. Raab, Austria) Students make original discoveries of astronomical objects that are officially certified and recognized by the International Astronomical Union. ARI

Since the start of IASC in October 2006, 97 high schools & colleges have participated from 9 countries: Country# of Schools China6 Germany1 Italy1 Japan6 Morocco1 Poland7 Portugal3 Russia1 United States 61 A total of 84 original asteroid discoveries have been made along with 2 comet confirmations and hundreds of NEO confirmations including 6 VIOs.

IASC Program Flow Diagram Astronomical Research Institute Hardin-Simmons University Astrometrica ARI HSU & AstrometricaMinor Planet Center (Harvard)

Future Plans for IASC IASC = International Asteroid Search Campaign Expand to include searches for SNe and AGN 1.Preliminary search conducted by Harlan Devore (Fall 2007) 2.Approached James Cook University asking for a graduate student 3.Create an automated front-end utility with IDL and OIS (Alard) Year-round campaigns for both hemispheres 1.Approached JCU about writing a joint grant to serve Australia 2.Possibly approach Comanche Springs Astronomy Campus Seek major sources of funding (UC Berkeley, Hardin-Simmons) Astronomical Collaboration

Seek Major Sources of Funding Purchase dedicated blocks of time on the ARI 24 ″ telescope Hire part-time and full-time staff 1.Part-time graduate student at Eastern Illinois University 2.Full-time assistant at Hardin-Simmons University 3.Part-time undergraduate student at Hardin-Simmons Expand the program 1.Year-long campaigns for both hemispheres 2.SNe and AGN search campaigns 3.KBO and Comet search campaigns Incorporate graduate student programs 1.James Cook University 2.Jackson State University

Turn-Key Educational Outreach Program School District IASC SNe Search Campaign Assessment & Evaluation Student Research Data Acquisition Hardin-Simmons University Astronomical Research Institute Hands-On Universe TRA Contract and/or Grant Funding

Student Research Studies (StRS) May-Term Course in Astronomical Research Methods 1.2-Week Course at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory 2.Search for Main Belt asteroids using Astrometrica 3.Search for SNe and AGN using Aladin 4.Use the Internet-based telescopes to construct asteroid light curves 5.Use ESSENCE data to construct SNe and AGN light curves 6.Intercollegiate course: - Hardin-Simmons University (Abilene, TX) - Jackson State University (Jackson, MS) - Brookhaven College (Farmers Branch, TX) - France 7.May-Term and June-Term Courses (Started May 2006 with 5 students)

May-term students at work on methodology incorporated into IASC. Jeff Davis Hardin-Simmons University Holly Ann Fidler Hardin-Simmons University Dominic Juliano Hardin-Simmons University Martha Ragwar Jackson State University Tylvia Edwards Jackson State University Fran Smith Jackson State University Cary Smith Jackson State University Sarah Frances Jackson State University

Individual Student Study (LBNL, UC Berkeley) 1.Carmel High School (Carmel, NY)July 2006 July 2006 January Hardin-Simmons UniversityJuly 2006 July 2007 July Jackson State UniversityJuly Hitachi First High School (Japan)August 2008 Lunar & Planetary Science Conference Texas Academy of Science INTEL Science Talent Search

48 ″ Telescope Project (Astronomical Research Institute) 1.Hardin-Simmons University 2.Jackson State University 3.KBO light curves 4.SNe & AGN searches 5.Intercollegiate research program via the Internet 6.Site visits to the Astronomical Research Institute January-Term Lab in Astronomical Research Methods 1.10-days at the McDonald Observatory 2.Stay at the Astronomers Lodge 3.Use the 30 ″ telescope

Teacher Training Programs (TTPs) Summer Astronomy Institute (University of Texas, Austin) 1.$150,000 grant (Texas Regional Collaboratives, UT Austin) 2.17 high school teachers (6 Texas Regions) 3.3-week course at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory 4.Introductory astronomy course 5.Participation in IASC (Astrometrica) 6.Use of Internet-based telescopes 7.Use of HOU software and exercises 8.Follow-on programs and activities: IASC Asteroid Search Campaigns (Fall 2008) INO Internet-Based Telescopes (Fall 2008) Big Country Math & Science Symposium(January 2009) Annual HOU TRA Meeting(June 2009) NASA WISE E/PO(Spring 2010)

Summer Astronomy Institute (University of Texas, Austin) At the conclusion of the program teachers will be able to teach at least a one semester capstone course in introductory astronomy, that incorporates hands-on science and original discovery in their labs. 1.Tours of the LBNL Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Hall of Science, Exploratorium, and Chabot Space & Science Center 2.Weekend Stinson Beach Tour and Bay Area Tour 3.Professional lectures at LBNL held several times a week 4.An afternoon with Dr. George Smoot 5.Receive materials and equipment - 8 ″ Dobsonian (Orion) with goto technology - HOU software with site license - Starry Night Enthusiast - MySky (Meade) - Beyond the Solar System (Smithsonian)

Middle & High School Teacher Workshops 1.Texas Region 14 Workshop (June 2007) 2.Abilene Christian University Workshop (June 2008) The workshops last 3 weeks and are coordinated with the McDonald Observatory (Fort Davis, TX). Teachers learn basic planetary and stellar astronomy then go to the McDonald Observatory for a 3-day, 2-night program including: -Workshops using GEMS -Behind-the-scenes tour -Dedicated star party -Hands-on time with the 36 ″ telescope 3. Jackson State University Workshop(June 2009)

EuROPA IASCSTRSTTPs IATP IATP = Internet-Accessible Telescope Park (“Patti”)

Internet-Accessible Telescope Park (IATP) Forrest M. Mims, III © 2008 Mauna Loa ObservatoryMcDonald Observatory Stand-Alone Internet-Accessible Units

EDUCATIONAL REACH-OUT PROGRAMS IN ASTRONOMY EuROPA