Upgrading the Image: Using New Technology to Alter Perceptions of Radio Astronomy in Undergraduate Instruction

升级形象：利用新技术改变本科教学中对射电天文学的看法

• 批准号: 0942480
• 负责人: Carl Heiles
• 金额: $ 14.97万
• 依托单位: University of California-Berkeley
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2010-09-01 至 2015-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0942480&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Upgrading; Image; Using; New; Technology

Intellectual Merit: This project upgrades the undergraduate experience in the radio astronomy laboratory through the creation of learning materials and teaching strategies and development of faculty expertise. Specifically, it introduces new digital technologies and programming techniques into the curriculum along with a visit to a working radio astronomy observatory (the Allen Telescope Array) that features many of the technologies and principles that the students study in the class. These innovations serve to give a complete picture of the role of signal processing techniques that range from existing lab components in theory, bench experiment, and programming in general purpose computers to include the cutting edge digital technology of field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). Applications in radio astronomy research as well as telecommunications are emphasized through the course. The enhancements also couple with the scientific emphases of the class. The new technology supports the use of a small dish for mapping large areas of the galactic plane for study of spiral arm structure and demonstration of the existence of dark matter. New experiments include topics such as the study of hydroxyl masers and detection of pulsars. The instructional materials are being made available to other institutions, many of which use small radio telescopes that can be coupled with the digital technology and curriculum developed in this project. Improvements in the laboratory are intended to achieve the following goals: 1) modernize facilities to enable experiments that probe a wider range of astrophysics and technical issues; 2) create enthusiasm in students through use of cutting edge technology; 3) strengthen the link between teaching and research; 4) increase the engagement of women and minorities with radio astronomy; and 5) prepare students for broad range of careers. Expected outcomes for students with success of the project include: 1) a deeper understanding of the links between signal processing theory and implementation in real-world devices, including telescopes and telecommunication systems; 2) increasing the number of women taking the radio astronomy labs, leading to greater number of women finding careers in radio astronomy. Broader Impact: The project is broadening the opportunities for undergraduate students in radio astronomy. In addition, an important goal of the project is to increase the number of women and minorities with an engagement and education in radio astronomy. As one of the leading institutions in the field of radio astronomy, Berkeley has a unique opportunity to have a national impact through undergraduate education. The use of undergraduate TAs in the lab is an important tool for creating the next generation of teachers and scientists.

智力价值：这个项目通过创造学习材料和教学策略以及发展教师的专业知识来提升本科生在射电天文学实验室的经验。具体地说，它在课程中引入了新的数字技术和编程技术，并参观了一个正在运行的射电天文天文台(艾伦望远镜阵列)，该天文台展示了学生在课堂上学习的许多技术和原理。这些创新为信号处理技术的作用提供了一个完整的图景，这些技术包括理论上的现有实验室组件、工作台实验和通用计算机编程，其中包括现场可编程门阵列(FGA)的尖端数字技术。本课程强调在射电天文学研究和电信方面的应用。这些增强也与课程的科学重点相结合。这项新技术支持使用一个小碟子来绘制银河系平面的大片区域，以研究螺旋臂结构并证明暗物质的存在。新的实验包括研究羟基脉泽和探测脉冲星等主题。教学材料正在提供给其他机构，其中许多机构使用小型射电望远镜，可以与该项目开发的数字技术和课程相结合。改进实验室的目的是实现以下目标：1)使设施现代化，以便能够进行探索更广泛的天体物理学和技术问题的实验；2)利用尖端技术激发学生的热情；3)加强教学和研究之间的联系；4)增加妇女和少数民族对射电天文学的参与；5)使学生为广泛的职业生涯做好准备。该项目的成功对学生的预期成果包括：1)更深入地了解信号处理理论与在包括望远镜和电信系统在内的现实世界设备中的实施之间的联系；2)增加参加射电天文实验室的妇女人数，从而导致更多的妇女在射电天文领域找到工作。更广泛的影响：该项目正在扩大射电天文学本科生的机会。此外，该项目的一个重要目标是增加妇女和少数群体参与射电天文学并接受教育的人数。作为射电天文学领域的领先机构之一，伯克利拥有通过本科教育在全国产生影响的独特机会。在实验室中使用本科生助教是培养下一代教师和科学家的重要工具。