Chelen Johnson
This virtual team collects all independent research presented in 2015, and done by NITARP or Spitzer alumni with (or without) students outside of a formal NITARP team.
I have been in education for 4 decades and this one program has given me more confidence in teaching space science than any college training I ever did.
The NITARP experience inspires students to participate in research and inspires teachers to find a place in their work (either in a club, the classroom, or new programs) for authentic research. For me, personally, this year of working along with students to learn about black holes has shaped my pedagogical view that real research should be the basis for all science courses.
In summary, this [AAS meeting] was amazing. For four straight days, if I'd thrown a rock I would have hit a scientist. Priceless.
