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

天文学(11)智力价值：这个项目正在增加三门天文学课程在夜间实验室的学习：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；以及一门为伦斯勒学院专业学生开设的高年级天文学观测课程。该项目使用工作室式的、合作的、动手的、以探究为基础的实验室，挑战学生在所有三门天文学课程中的误解。这些实验室使用同步活动来处理越来越多的对天文学感兴趣的本科生。许多夜间实验室活动都是根据其他大学开发的材料进行改编的。课程开发包括更换位于伦斯勒的赫希天文台16英寸B&A；C望远镜的老化控制系统，以及为锡耶纳学院购买几台小型望远镜。作为该项目的一部分，正在编制专门适用于望远镜观测的评估材料。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，与档案IDEA课程评估进行比较，并辅之以学生态度调查。广泛影响：该项目创建了锡耶纳学院天文学项目和伦斯勒天文学项目之间的合作，以改进这两个项目。改进后的实验室课程正在做广告，并向其他大学的教职员工提供，他们可能希望将这些课程纳入他们的课堂。升级到16英寸望远镜，以及已经在手的现代CCD和光谱仪，允许通过伦斯勒和锡耶纳进行高中和本科生研究项目，并为纽约首都地区的业余天文学家创造一个资源。新的设施加强了受欢迎的公众在天文台的观测之夜。该计划每年吸引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.