AAS - 2019

Quotes

• I think a great outcome of this was simply seeing how well the kids could come together to address this problem. Additionally, I would stress the value in being able to communicate scientific ideas with people in other parts of the country. It was an amazing experience unlike anything else that I have experienced in my education so far. I teach in a small rural city so it is really nice to see how people in the larger districts addressed various social and academic issues. Since I focused my undergrad on education I didn't have much time doing authentic research, something that I felt I as definitely missing in my classes since I was not able to give them real life examples that I had on how research could be used.
• [student:] There is no way that I could have even imagined doing a project like this without the guidance that I had. Now, after the fact I believe that with some fluency in python that I could do our project in a mere fraction of the time that we spent collaboratively. The fact that others had to depend on me getting my work done was a big motivation. Another was my passion for learning, especially when I had the opportunity to apply it. I could not have learned or applied anything of this project without guidance, I would simply be wandering blindly.
• For astronomy, I underestimated the amount of data analysis and programming required compared to observation skills. It seems like introductory high school and college courses cover a good amount of content but not the relevant research skills.
• It is programs like this that have kept me in the teaching profession, have taught me to be am more effective teacher, and should be replicated in all fields and at all levels in all schools. If they really want to increase student success and have our students ready for the workforce and college we have to be providing them – and more importantly their teachers – with the experience in the ‘real world’. Teacher prep programs are out of touch with reality and do not provide the needed exposure or training to help them help our students succeed. Students are worn down with testing and high-pressure curriculum heavy course work that doesn’t develop innovation, support curiosity, or inspire. We need to change the system for all at all levels with cooperation between educators and other fields – and start treating teachers as professionals equal to engineers, nurses, writers, biologists, business managers, etc. We need innovative programs like this to make real change in our educational system.
• [student:] Initially, I wanted to pursue a career in either music education or performance as a part of the more classical community of music. The AAS conference changed that. I have never before in my life seen a more collaborative group than the AAS. The support I had while presenting my poster was unreal. This made me reflect on my pursuits in music. That community could not be any more critical or degrading than it already is. I want music in my life, but I never want to be a part of that community. This experience set me on a path, one that might one day lead me to the forefront of human knowledge hopefully for me to help push that boundary.

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