NASA/IPAC Teacher
Archive Research Program

I've been involved in many professional development activities and this is by far the best one I've ever done

Chelen Johnson

IC 2118/Rebull

Young Stars in IC 2118: Using Spitzer Space Telescope infrared images to find newly forming stars in the Witch Head nebula (IC2118) and using optical data to determine their masses and ages and to see their relationship to the interstellar medium and to other similar star forming regions.

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Our Participants Talk About NITARP

I didn’t know just how much data is publicly available. Anyone can do astronomy – you just need to come up with a question and figure out how to use the archives.
High school students are hungry for authentic research experiences, and both high school teachers and students benefit immensely from having contact with a professional astronomer. This may seem inefficient (because it costs a lot of money to connect individuals with professionals), but it can change lives, and there are wonderful ripple effects.
I believe having students work with other students from other schools has much value.