The Arecibo Geoscience Diversity Program: Enhancing the Education of Hispanics through Research Experiences

阿雷西博地球科学多样性计划(AGEOP)国家天文与电离层中心(NAIC)和波多黎各大学阿雷西博分校(UPRA)将建立阿雷西博地球科学多样性计划(AGEOP)。该方案为波多黎各西北部地区的拉美裔教育工作者和学生群体提供了地球科学方面的研究经验。大气研究的重点是使用305米射电望远镜对阿雷西博天文台的高层大气进行研究。喀斯特地区的研究主要集中在卡诺·蒂伯罗内斯热带湿地，并在UPRA进行。参与者参与设计和执行一项环境监测计划，以评估湿地的物理和生物概况。AGEOP的目标是阿雷西博学区的15所免费高中和UPRA的本科生。每年将有五所不同的学校参加这项为期三年的努力，每所学校提供一个由四名学生和一名教师组成的团队；UPRA每年将贡献八名本科生。高中生、教师和UPRA本科生之间的互动，建立了一座桥梁，帮助更多的学生达到大学水平，并最终毕业。AGEOP通过下列活动向每个参与者(学生、教师、本科生)提供最多200小时的地球科学培训：在阿雷西博天文台举办为期10天的暑期培训班，介绍课程内容和发展研究技能；在学年期间举办为期16天的地球科学学院，进行实地测量和数据分析；以及举行地球科学大会，参加者在会上介绍其研究项目。

ABSTRACTArecibo Geoscience Diversity Program (AGEOP) National Astronomy & Ionosphere Center (NAIC) and the University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo (UPRA), will establish the Arecibo Geoscience Diversity Program (AGEOP). The program provides a research experience in the geosciences to groups of Hispanic educators and students in the northwestern region of Puerto Rico. Atmospheric research focuses on studies of the upper atmosphere at the Arecibo Observatory using the 305 m radio telescope. The study of the karst region focuses on the Cano Tiburones tropical wetland, and is conducted at UPRA. Participants are engaged in the design and the execution of an environmental monitoring program that assesses the physical and biological profile of the wetland. The AGEOP targets fifteen free high schools in the Arecibo School District, and undergraduate science majors at UPRA. Five different schools will participate every year in this three-year effort with each school providing a team of four students and a teacher; UPRA will contribute eight undergraduates every year. The interaction of high school students, teachers, and UPRA undergraduates, establishes a bridge to help increase numbers of students that reach the college level, and that eventually graduate. The AGEOP provides up to 200 hours of geoscience training to each participant (students, teachers, undergraduates) through the following activities: a ten-day summer institute at the Arecibo Observatory to introduce the content matter and develop the research skills; sixteen days of a geoscience academy during the school year for field measurements and data analysis; and a geoscience congress in which participants present their research projects.