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

It was great to work with such dedicated and fun people, including teachers, students, and two certain Caltech astronomers. In fact, everyone in the astronomy community seemed very welcoming, friendly, and eager to share what they knew, especially if you needed help. I never expected to make such friends in this (or any) program.
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.
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.
Through NITARP, I’ve become aware of many more opportunities available to teachers than I ever knew existed.
[student:] I didn’t expect how much I would love this program. At first, I was very nervous since I hadn’t had much astronomy—or any research—experience, and I was uncertain about how it would go. I loved the whole experience, from going to Pasadena and the AAS, to meeting the NITARP team to filling out a crazy spreadsheet as I analyzed each candidate (many times!). I am so grateful I got to be a part of this program and am sad it has come to an end.

AAS - 2023

Quotes

Related Teams