REU Site: Life in the Universe - Astronomy, Astrobiology, and Planetary Science at the SETI Institute

该项目是SETI研究所（SI）的REU网站的更新，重点是天文学和行星科学，并以天体生物学为连接主题。每年有10名学生参与者将与SI科学家配对，在SI和附近的NASA艾姆斯研究中心进行研究。本科生将对各种主题进行详细的研究，包括系外行星，小行星，彗星和流星，火星表面科学，土星环，外太阳系和天体生物学。此外，所有参与者将花一周的时间在艾伦望远镜阵列上学习射电天文学，研究附近拉森火山国家公园的极端微生物研究基地，并研究沿海野外基地的可居住性和生命探测。通过为处于本科教育关键阶段的学生提供高质量的研究经验，REU网站将有助于增加全国科学家和工程师的人才库。参与者将开发必要的研究方法和分析技能（数学，计算和逻辑）来处理数据，了解主要研究，并保持与该领域的新发展同步。REU网站也有一个积极的和高度发达的计划，招募代表性不足的少数民族到其计划，这将扩大STEM培训机会，这些群体.这个奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并已被认为是值得通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估的支持.

This project is a renewal of a REU Site at the SETI Institute (SI) with a focus on astronomy and planetary science, with a connecting theme of astrobiology. Ten student participants per year will be paired with SI scientists to conduct research at both SI and at the nearby NASA Ames Research Center. The undergraduate students will perform detailed research into a variety of topics, including exoplanets, asteroids, comet and meteors, Mars surface science, Saturn’s rings, the outer Solar system, and astrobiology. In addition, all participants will spend a week learning about radio astronomy at the Allen Telescope Array, studying an extremophile research site at nearby Lassen Volcanic National Park, and studying habitability and life detection at coastal field sites.By offering high-quality research experiences to students at a critical stage of undergraduate education, the REU Site will contribute to increasing the nationwide pool of scientists and engineers. Participants will develop the research methods and analytical skills (mathematical, computational, and logical) necessary to process data, understand primary research, and to remain current with new developments in the field. The REU Site also has an active and highly developed plan to recruit underrepresented minorities into its program, which will expand STEM training opportunities to these groups.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.