• NASA
  • IPAC

AAS - 2019

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 2018 and 2019 NITARP teams attended the 2019 January AAS meeting in Seattle, WA. The 2018 class was presenting results and the 2019 class was starting up. We had 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:

2018 Teams:

NITARP Management:

Returning Alumni Teams:

 


Quotes

  • I did not anticipate learning so much that I feel I could direct students on further projects. I find that extremely exciting!
  • 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.
  • [student:] I never knew what astronomers and their work is like. It is a work that I respect a lot. My view towards NITARP throughout the entire experience has only gotten increasingly better.
  • I knew that, like any scientists or teachers, astronomers LOVE their profession. I have no idea why but I never thought there would be so many astronomers. A lot of people love astronomy and they do not resemble each other. I was presently surprised by the diversity in every aspect.
  • I think that you can see a distinct difference between science teachers with a research background and science teachers who just went to school for teaching. Kids need to stop getting the worksheet recipe of a lab and taught critical thinking skills. Projects like this help teachers get that.

AAS - 2019