AAS - 2015
The Winter American Astronomical Society (AAS) meeting is the largest meeting of professional astronomers in the world. NITARP educators attend an AAS first to meet their team, then they go home and work remotely for much of the year, and then attend an AAS to present their results. At any given AAS, then, we could have two NITARP classes attending - those finishing up, and those getting started. Reload to see a different set of quotes.
The 2014 and 2015 NITARP teams attended the 2015 January AAS meeting in Seattle, WA. The 2014 class was presenting results and the 2015 class was starting up. We had many alumni raise money to come back as well. We sent about 50 people to the AAS and had a grand time. Please see the special article on NITARP at the AAS. All of the posters we presented are here:
- 2014 teams
- Self-funded alumni teams
- Science Poster - Bensel, et al., "Survey of Light Pollution in the Rogue Valley, Southwest Oregon, St. Mary's School, Medford, Oregon"
- Education Poster - French, et al., "LASSI Launching Astronomy: Standards and STEM Integration"
- Education Poster - Johnson, et al., "Astronomy Across State Lines: A Collaborative Project for Astronomical Research"
- Education Poster - Kelly, et al., "Next Generation Scientists: Creating Opportunities for High School Students Through Astronomical Research"
- Science Poster - Rutherford, et al., "Color-Magnitude Relationships Among Quasars and Type I Seyfert Galaxies"
- NITARP management
Quotes
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My ideas about astronomy has changed significantly, thanks to NITARP. Quite simply, I didn't understand the role of archival data in modern astronomical research. Previously, I considered it an intellectual exercise, work suitable for a reference librarian, but not real research. I now know it to comprise the future of astronomy, and the very picture of MOST of tomorrow's scientific research.
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[student:] [I would tell Congress that:] This is a once in a lifetime experience for everyone, whether they are interested in a career in astronomy or not. The skills and discipline this program teaches not only enforces goals but gives students and teachers the rare opportunity to make an authentic and significant accomplishment in the real world. Participating in the real world is something that students and the United States' education system REALLY needs. As a student, I know first hand the frustrations of feeling like slaves to a letter grade and to an education system that tries to help us succeed but mostly succeeds in suffocating us. A lot of us feel like we are stuck in the world of school, homework, and deadlines, which isolates us and makes us lose sight of our long-term life goals, besides earning a letter grade that tries to define who you are and what you can accomplish. What students really need is the opportunity to look outside the cages of school and realize that all this education is necessary for us to grow elsewhere.
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Do what your scientist asks you to do, but don’t be afraid to make your own suggestions if you have ideas about what to do next. This is a collaborative process. The scientists are very smart and knowledgeable, but they are not the only ones with answers and they value your opinion. Don’t be afraid to go above and beyond.
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[student:] I started this project knowing absolutely nothing about astronomy. My idea of an astronomer was a man (or woman) in a spacesuit prancing on the moon. I was completely unaware of the breadth of astronomy as I have never taken a class and have never been exposed to anything close to astronomy (haven't even taken a physics class before). I now realize that astronomers are one of the most friendliest, smartest, collaborative bunch of people, and that they don't have to be covered in white bubbly suits to be called astronomers.
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[Through NITARP, I've made contacts such that even though my NITARP year is ending], I feel I am just beginning what will be a great adventure.
