The Broader Impact of NRAO Enlarge the pipeline of students ready to enter college and graduate with a degree in STEM (NAS, 2007). Enlarge the pipeline of students ready to enter college and graduate with a degree in STEM (NAS, 2007). Increase the number of well-qualified and highly effective STEM teachers in the classroom (NSB, 2007). Increase the number of well-qualified and highly effective STEM teachers in the classroom (NSB, 2007). Involve students in research/inquiry-based science. Involve students in research/inquiry-based science. I ncrease appreciation for Radio Astronomy, and the NRAO locally, regionally, nationally. I ncrease appreciation for Radio Astronomy, and the NRAO locally, regionally, nationally.

Overview of EPO Programs at NRAO-Green Bank

Teacher Programs Core experience: Scientific Research on the 40 Ft. telescope. Team research/NRAO scientist mentors Team research/NRAO scientist mentors Astronomy content Astronomy content Research talks Research talks In-depth tours In-depth tours Classroom application Classroom application Proven to change teacher practices in the classroom. Proven to change teacher practices in the classroom.

Pulsar Search Collaboratory NSF ITEST: “…increase the opportunities for students and teachers to learn about, experience, and use information technologies within the context of STEM courses.” involves teachers and students in the search for new pulsars.involves teachers and students in the search for new pulsars. “Distributed community of researchers”.“Distributed community of researchers”. Partnership between WVU physics, computer science, and education d departments, WV EPSCoR, and NRAO.Partnership between WVU physics, computer science, and education d departments, WV EPSCoR, and NRAO. 60 teachers, 1800 students60 teachers, 1800 students

Program Elements –Summer residential program at NRAO: PSC Leaders 10 day teacher institute (20) 6 day experience for teachers and students (30) –Academic Year Activities Whole class activities School based Collaboratory Team (~5-10 students) –Capstone PSC seminar at WVU Poster presentations, student and professional talks. Tours and activities of WVU STEM schools. –Students can remain in PSC throughout high school career. Undergraduate credit available!!!

Student Programs Student Programs Overnight (or longer) field trips Extended tours 2000 students have used the 40 Foot telescope over the past 12 months. Grade School to Grad School

West Virginia Governor’s School Goal: to encourage students’ interest in STEM careers before they enter high school. 60 rising freshman/year.

Public Programs Tour ProgramTour Program Star Quest Star PartyStar Quest Star Party SARA ConferenceSARA Conference

2008: $41,000 matching grant from WV Division of Tourism to market the Green Bank Science Center. Web ads on online newsWeb ads on online news outlets; outlets; Brochures;Brochures; Trade shows;Trade shows; Direct mail.Direct mail. Open Year RoundOpen Year Round Free Public ToursFree Public Tours Green Bank Science CenterGreen Bank Science Center Special Events every monthSpecial Events every month Tour Program

… good to the last drop Virginia… … I can’t believe I ate the whole thing. Brylcream… …NRAO??? Outreach—fill in the blanks

Quiet Skies Students will: Measure interference levels at schools and in communities; Reduce and transmit data to an NRAO data base; Debate how the spectrum should be allocated. Goal: to promote student aware- ness of radio astronomy and radio frequency interference through an inquiry-based research project. Quiet Skies Detector North America at Night

NRAO Navigators Goal: to train outreach volunteers to spread the word about radio astronomy and NRAO. Navigator David Fields with youth group in Tennessee November 2008: Night Sky Network clubs and a record 102 participants, tuned in for a training telecon.

Tune Into the Universe Cosmic Radio Funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, though a local station. (~$10,000 plus in- kind)Funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, though a local station. (~$10,000 plus in- kind) 26 3-minute shows26 3-minute shows Aired 2008.Aired Also available at available at CD marketed to ~500 NPR affiliated radio stations