AAS - 2023

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 2022 and 2023 NITARP teams attended the 2023 January AAS meeting in Seattle, WA. The 2022 class was presenting results and the 2023 class was starting up. We had alumni raise money to come back as well. We sent about 30 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:

2022 Teams:

Ciambra et al., A More Complete List of YSO Candidates in AFGL 490
Benter et al., Survey of the Spitzer Enhanced Imaging Products (SEIP) Catalog for Potential Debris Disks Around Main Sequence M Class Stars
Bonham et al., NGSS Science and Engineering Practices in Secondary Education through Real Astronomical Research
Swigert et al., Teacher Roles within NITARP: a 13-month Research Collaboration

Alumni:

Granucci, "Does a Solar Telescope generate more interest in astronomy than Night Observing Telescope?" (talk)
Kniezewski, "To Rain or Not to Rain: Correlating GOES Flare Class and Coronal Rain Statistics" (poster and press release; student alumna!)

Quotes

Participating in NITARP provides teachers with a true nature of science experience. Most classroom educators have not experienced the shaky ground of not knowing the answer. It is a challenge NOT to be the expert and know all the answers when working with students. However, this is precisely where teachers can truly impact science education. Teachers experience a deep understanding of what it is like to be a student, model what lifelong learning looks like, and how to persevere through challenges.
In [...] NITARP, students and teachers get to be exposed to the process of being [an] astronomer. [...] Beyond the process, the teacher and student alike learn that science is conversational in which you learn together, help each other, and present your findings to others.
I did not anticipate that my students would develop such a strong bond with Varoujan. They learned quickly that they could ask him questions on the videoconferences and the summer meetings and he would patiently explain, sometimes more than once. I saw a huge amount of growth of my students, especially in their identities as scientists.
I have always felt that astronomers were able to make sense of things not always tangible, but now I realize what deep visions they have and their great dedication.
I was surprised by the level of detail and nuance involved in research (just when I thought I was all good, Varoujan would mention some little detail that made me rethink things I thought I knew. It was a very humbling experience), as well as the positive vibes from working with such great people.

AAS - 2023

Quotes

Related Teams