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.

知识分子的优点：该项目通过创建学习材料和教学策略以及教师专业知识的发展，升级了射电天文学实验室的本科经验。具体而言，它将新的数字技术和编程技术介绍到课程中，以及参观工作的射电天文台（Allen Telescope Array），其中包括学生在班上学习的许多技术和原理。这些创新旨在完整地了解信号处理技术的作用，该技术从理论上的现有实验室组件，基准实验和一般目的计算机的编程中，包括包括现场可编程门阵列（FPGAS）的尖端数字技术。通过本课程，强调射电天文学研究以及电信的应用。 增强功能还与班级的科学重点相结合。新技术支持使用小菜来绘制银河平面的大面积，以研究螺旋臂结构并证明存在暗物质的存在。新的实验包括诸如羟摩酯的研究和脉冲星检测等主题。 这些教学材料可用于其他机构，其中许多机构都使用了可以与该项目中开发的数字技术和课程相结合的小型射电望远镜。 实验室的改进旨在实现以下目标：1）现代化的设施以实现实验，以探测更广泛的天体物理学和技术问题； 2）通过使用尖端技术来创造学生的热情； 3）加强教学与研究之间的联系； 4）增加妇女和少数民族与射电天文学的参与； 5）为学生做好广泛的职业做好准备。该项目成功的学生的预期成果包括：1）对信号处理理论和实施之间的联系（包括望远镜和电信系统）之间的联系有更深入的了解； 2）增加参加射电天文学实验室的妇女人数，导致更多的妇女在射电天文学中找到职业。 更广泛的影响：该项目正在扩大射电天文学的本科生的机会。 此外，该项目的一个重要目标是通过射电天文学的参与和教育来增加妇女和少数民族的数量。作为射电天文学领域的主要机构之一，伯克利有一个独特的机会，可以通过本科教育产生全国影响。在实验室中使用本科TA是创建下一代教师和科学家的重要工具。