Collaborative Research: Improved Undergraduate Astronomy Laboratories and Public Outreach with a Modernized Hirsch Observatory Control System

天文学（11）知识价值：该项目增加了夜间实验室中三门天文学课程的学习：两门天文学入门课程-一门在伦斯勒学院，一门在锡耶纳学院；以及伦斯勒学院专为学生开设的高级观测天文学课程。该项目采用工作室式、合作式、动手式、探究式的实验室，挑战学生在所有三门天文学课程中的误解。这些实验室采用并行活动来处理越来越多对天文学感兴趣的本科生。许多夜间实验室活动都改编自其他大学开发的材料。课程开发包括更换伦斯勒赫希天文台16英寸B&amp；C望远镜老化的控制系统，并为锡耶纳学院购置几架小型望远镜。作为该项目的一部分，专门适合于望远镜观测的评估材料正在生成。此外，课程设计的变化正在通过天文学诊断测试（ADT）进行评估，与IDEA课程评估档案进行比较，并辅以学生态度调查。更广泛的影响：该项目在锡耶纳学院和伦斯勒的天文学项目之间建立了合作，改善了这两个项目。改进后的实验课程正在做广告，并提供给其他大学的教师，他们可能想把这些课程纳入自己的课堂。升级到16英寸的望远镜和现有的现代CCD和摄谱仪允许高中和本科生通过伦斯勒和锡耶纳进行研究项目，并为纽约首都地区的业余天文学家创造一个资源。翻新后的设施令天文台的公众观测活动更受欢迎。每年这个项目都会吸引1000 - 2000名公众，其中许多是K-12学生和他们的父母或老师。

Astronomy (11) Intellectual Merit: This project is increasing learning in night laboratories for three astronomy courses: two Introductory Astronomy courses - one at Rensselaer and one at Siena College; and an upper division Observational Astronomy course for majors at Rensselaer. The project uses studio-style, cooperative, hands-on, inquiry-based laboratories that challenge the misconceptions of students in all three astronomy courses. The laboratories use concurrent activities to handle an increasing number of undergraduate students interested in astronomy. Many of the night lab activities are adapted from materials developed at other universities. The curriculum development includes replacement of the aging control system for the Hirsch Observatory 16" B&C telescope at Rensselaer, and the acquisition of several small telescopes for Siena College. Evaluation materials that are specifically suited to telescope observations are being generated as part of this project. Additionally, the changes to the course design are being evaluated with the Astronomy Diagnostic Test (ADT), comparisons to archival IDEA course evaluations, and supplemented with student attitude surveys.Broader Impacts: This project creates a cooperation between astronomy programs at Siena College and Rensselaer that improves both programs. The improved laboratory curriculum is being advertised and made available to faculty at other universities who might want to incorporate them in their classes. The upgrade to the 16" telescope and the modern CCD and spectrograph already in hand allow for high school and undergraduate research projects through both Rensselaer and Siena, and create a resource for amateur astronomers in New York's Capital District. The renewed facility enhances the popular public observing nights at the observatory. Each year this program attracts 1000 - 2000 members of the public, many of whom are K-12 students with their parents or teachers.