• NASA
  • IPAC

AAS - 2017

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 2016 and 2017 NITARP teams attended the 2017 January AAS meeting in Dallas, TX. The 2016 class was presenting results and the 2017 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:


Quotes

  • Having real data to show students and being able to show them how/why math is used in ‘real life’ as well as being able to share the ongoing process of science to students (versus a 2 day lab) is invaluable to me.
  • [student:] Prior to this research experience, I’ve always felt as if the odds were stacked against me becoming an astrophysicist. I once doubted my mathematical aptitude, my ability to thrive in a male-dominated field, and my capacity to overcome the adversity of applying to prestigious universities while living in a rural community. However, through this program I’ve learned that I have the potential to be truly successful in the astronomical disciplines. It is imperative that these program remain accessible to all students in order to build a generation that is scientifically literate and prepared to take on even the most daunting global problems.
  • [student:] I would say that I learned how to do research, understand space and the formation of stars, how data from telescopes is used, how to be more confident, how to ask more questions, and how to work better in a team. I experienced the joy of discovering my passion, and I started on a path to my dream job.
  • I have realized how many different things there are to study in the universe and the different roles that people in the community can take on. Astronomy research can be complex, involve multiple layers of investigation, and play out over long time scales.
  • The NITARP model of mentorship deserves to be replicated by other programs and agencies.

AAS - 2017