Peggy's NITARP/SOFIA Outreach
May 6, 2011
Ohio, Illinois all school assembley
75 students elementary through high school
10 adults
8 school teachers/administrators
Slide show, filter activities and telescope show and tell for rural Illinois school, provided gel filter materials.
May 20,2011
“No Child Left Inside” campout at Lincoln Way High School
25 elementary through high school
15 adults
5 of parents present were also teachers
Environmental themed campout, I spoke to group about upcoming SOFIA mission, provided stickers and brochures, lead starparty (naked eye and telescope observing)
May 22, 2011
Gigi Hill Purse Party at my home
15 high school students
5 adults
No other teachers
My daughters had a purse party, the kids wanted to know about the SOFIA model I had on the shelf, so I talked to them about the program, IR astronomy and provided brochures and stickers. I only mention this one because just having the model in view often sparks interest and conversations about SOFIA.
June 24, 2011
Upward Bound Camp – Northern Illinois University camp for urban high school kids
60 high school students
8 college students
2 college instructors
Along with two other Yerkes outreach teachers, three stations incorporating SOFIA and NITARP experience and Active Astronomy, provided gel filter materials and brochures, worked with IR detector kits.
July 18, 2011
MATL Masters class for in service teachers at Yerkes Observatory
20 adult in-service teachers
As part of lab activities for this two week 3 credit hour class, I presented SOFIA and NITARP experience and Active Astronomy activities, provided gel filter materials and brochures, another teacher worked with IR detector kits.
July 26, 2011
Global Hands-on-Universe at George Williams College
5 high school students (2 from Italy)
30 astronomy outreach adults from USA, China, Kenya, Brazil, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Chile, etc. plus 3-4 online attendees
15 elementary/high school teachers, the rest are college level or retired informal educators.
I presented SOFIA and NITARP experience and Active Astronomy activities, provided gel filter materials and brochures.
Sept 10, 2011
IR Workshop at Yerkes Observatory
35 in service teachers
The SOFIA 6 each presented various elements of the SOFIA experience and infrared astronomy to in service teachers alongside the PI and engineers for the HAWC camera being developed and built in the basement of the University of Chicago’s Yerkes Observatory. The SOFIA 6 also met as a group to share knowledge, techniques and ideas for future outreach to both students and the public.
October 28, 2011
Illinois Science Teachers Association Conference
30 in service teachers
I presented SOFIA and NITARP experience and Active Astronomy activities, provided gel filter materials and brochures. Several in attendance were already in process of applying for Cycle 1 SOFIA AAA and several additional attendees planned to apply after attending session.
November 1, 2011
Lincoln Way North Reading night
Over 100 elementary students, 30 high school students, 50 parents
I presented SOFIA and NITARP experience, Active Astronomy activities and lead starparty (naked eye and telescope observing)
November 30, 2011
Lincoln Way North/West Distance Learning class
25 High School Students and 8 teachers/administrators
Using our school's new "distance learning" video/audio equipment, I presented a 55 minute lesson on infrared astronomy (starring my experiences with NITARP and SOFIA) to the astronomy class at one of my sister schools, L-W West. The astronomy teacher at West has little astronomy background, this is not an uncommon occurrence in astronomy classes. During this session, additional teachers and administrators wandered in to take part in the lesson. I sent materials and instructions for making color filters ahead of time and excitement was high as students and adults were able to see the significance astronomical images taken from across the spectrum. As the bell rang, discussions continued in to the passing period, no one bolted for the door:) Demonstrating the IR source of a remote control was especially pleasing as students could see me point my remote at the camera they were viewing me through and see the IR, but could not see the IR coming from the same remote that was in their classroom.
January 8-12, 2012
AAS, Austin TX
130 students, my colleagues and administrator directly effected as I sent pictures to my substitute teacher during the conference and spoke about my experience to all my classes upon my return. News release about trip was seen by over 9,000 students and their parents in my district
I brought 4 students to present their independent asteroid light curve work that was effected and inspired by Bob Holmes' Astronomical Research Observatory, WISE/IASC asteroid search program, NITARP program, and SOFIA.
I also had the opportunity to talk about my SOFIA experience and its effect on my students not only at the SOFIA exhibit, but throughout the conference. I also did a Skype interview with an Indian reporter and a reporter from SPACE.com.
I began my role as a mentor teacher in the NITARP program with new group that will be studying young stellar objects.
upcoming
March 14, 2012
Lincoln-Way North Future Phoenix Science Night
Expect over 100 elementary students, 30 high school students, 50 parents
Elementary students with their High School mentor guides will cycle through 25 minute sessions on Astronomy (Active Astronomy), Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
March 17
StarsAtYerkes, Build Your Own Technology Workshop Yerkes Observatory, Williams Bay, WI
Expect 25-35 in service teachers
I will present along with Marc Berthoud (engineer on SOFIA's HAWC camera) workshop on using Python Programming in the classroom and extensions using programming to create usable devices. Marc is currently using Python to program HAWC and has helped me incorporate programming into my Physics classes.
June 25-28
Girls Engaging in Energy Yerkes Observatory, Williams Bay, WI
Expect 20 middle school girls and 5 high school girls
Girls will engage in inquiry activities to understand alternate forms of energy and apply this knowledge to a design of their own.
