Published: February 8, 2024
Dr. Bechtel writes:
I was lucky enough to be selected for the 2019 NITARP experience with two (actually three, we paid for the third) pre-service elementary education undergraduates. I originally had one that considered teaching elementary sciences for their future employment. Currently, all three teach the sciences (two in Iowa and one in Alaska). Personally, some great takeaways have been …
1) I can do research. Seriously, the program with the amazing mentors have made all the difference in my understanding of the research process, mentoring andragogy, and presentation efficacy. I know that I would not be the professor I am today without this amazing opportunity. Although my research projects are biological instead of astronomical, they follow the same outline (blapticomposting, biophilia, captive husbandry, herpetology, educational aquaponics, etc.).
2) Astronomy is interdisciplinary. I cannot say that I have specifically used the M8 Nebulae research, but I use the processes/ instrumentation in my courses. I use the FLIR camera that I learned about with NITARP in my Biology and Amazonian courses. The help sheets and lessons that were created for our posters are used in my Chemistry course. The IRSA Finder Chart Lab ([my teammate] Mattern’s contribution) is used in my Physics course.
3) Astronomy understanding is attainable. My learning curve was almost vertical. I have taught Astronomy at the secondary level but never had the deep understanding that I currently have. Leaning how accessible, and understandable, the telescope data is to the lay person is probably one of the greatest benefits for educators.
4) All students win. As a pre-service educator, I provide diverse science education opportunities for my students. NITARP is still one of the most talked about experiences from envious undergraduates, and my teaching peers. When applying for jobs, all three [of my students from the NITARP team] relayed that the interviews with administrators centered around their NITARP research and how they would be bringing it to their future students.
5) A recruiting tool. Our NITARP posters (science and education) are proudly displayed in the Science Center at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. The research summaries are part of our “research examples” sent to prospective families. Parents and incoming students cannot believe the opportunities our pre-service education students had to research, work alongside astronomy professionals, and present at national conferences (AAAS, NSTA, HICE). The experience was a game changer.
6) NITARP connections. I regularly perform several community outreach programs (schools, science programs, conventions, etc.). A great example of ongoing NITARP outreach is our upcoming Scout Merit Badge camp (April 2024). We will be offering herpetology, environmental science, and astronomy badges to 70 local scout members. Available spots filled within days. The first two topics have always been second nature but the third was made possible through our collaborative work.
To say that NITARP changed my life is an understatement. Luisa Rebull does not realize how her leadership created a life-long rag tag group of educators (Danny Mattern, Bob Swanson, and David Strasburger). I was involved in a population education academy in Boston a few years back. I apply to as many professional development experiences as possible since my extremely positive NITARP adventure. Strasburger not only met up with me but put me up for a night. I cannot begin to explain my appreciation for being selected but hope you understand how grateful I am.