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

该项目是SETI研究所(SI)REU站点的更新，重点是天文学和行星科学，主题是天体生物学。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 Ames研究中心进行研究。本科生将对各种主题进行详细研究，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时间在艾伦望远镜阵列学习射电天文学，研究附近拉森火山国家公园的极端生物研究地点，并研究沿海野外地点的宜居性和生命探测。通过为本科教育关键阶段的学生提供高质量的研究体验，REU网站将有助于增加全国科学家和工程师队伍。参与者将发展必要的研究方法和分析技能(数学、计算和逻辑)，以处理数据、理解初步研究并了解该领域的最新发展。REU网站还制定了一项积极且高度发达的计划，将未被充分代表的少数族裔招募到其计划中，这将扩大这些群体的STEM培训机会。这一奖励反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

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.