What ARE Astronomers Doing?: A Project for MPS Internships in Public Science Education

美国得克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校的玛丽·凯·海明威博士获得了一笔资金，用于建立一个网站和一个博物馆亭，描述和解释天文学家是如何进行天文研究的。具体来说，该项目将帮助成年人了解天文学家如何在一个主要的天文台进行研究；帮助学生探索天文研究、设备和职业；带领一名科学教育研究生、一名实习教师和其他K-12教师深入了解天文学研究，同时加强他们与天文学家的联系；并为天文学家提供了一种有组织的方式，与公众分享他们的研究。网站和信息亭将开放一个日历，概述麦克唐纳天文台每个主要研究望远镜的研究计划。相关网页的连结提供使用望远镜的天文学家的资料；关于望远镜的信息，包括它们的仪器和操作；为每个特定项目使用所选仪器的理由；还有天文学术语表。主要受众将是1500名教师和他们的15万名学生，他们在课堂上使用StarDate/ universe。项目团队包括天文公共宣传和教育专家、天文研究专家、科学教育研究生和K-12教师。该团队还将与其他具有类似外展任务的机构分享项目的设计和模板。一个国家教育咨询委员会将在项目发展过程中对其进行评估。计划中的评估技术包括采访使用信息亭的天文台访客，以及调查教师及其学生使用网站的情况。该项目得到数学和物理科学局多学科活动办公室的支持。

AST-0227870Hemenway, Mary KayFunds are awarded to Dr. Mary Kay Hemenway at the University of Texas at Austin to produce a web site and museum kiosk that will describe and explain how astronomers perform astronomical research. Specifically, the project will help adults understand how astronomers perform research at a major astronomical observatory; help students explore astronomical research, equipment, and careers; lead both a Science Education graduate student, a teacher intern, and other K-12 teachers to a deeper understanding of astronomical research while enhancing their contacts with astronomers; and give astronomers an organized way to share their research with the general public. The web site and kiosk will open with a calendar outlining research scheduled on each of the major research telescopes at McDonald Observatory. Links to related visitor-friendly pages provide information on the astronomers using the telescopes; information on the telescopes, including their instrumentation and operation; rationale for using the chosen instrument for each particular project; and a glossary of astronomy terms. The primary audience will be the 1,500 teachers and their 150,000 students using "StarDate/Universo in the Classroom." The project team includes experts in astronomy public outreach and education, an astronomical research expert, a graduate student in Science Education, and a K-12 teacher. The team will also share the project's design and templates with other institutions with similar outreach missions. A national Education Advisory Board will evaluate the project as it develops. Planned evaluation techniques include interviewing Observatory visitors who use the kiosk, and surveying teachers about their and their students use of the web site. This project is supported by the Office of Multidisciplinary Actitivies in the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences.