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

智力价值：本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，提升射电天文学实验室本科生的经验。具体来说，它在课程中引入了新的数字技术和编程技术，并参观了一个正在工作的射电天文台（艾伦望远镜阵列），该天文台以学生在课堂上学习的许多技术和原理为特色。这些创新有助于全面了解信号处理技术的作用，这些技术的范围从现有的理论实验室组件、台架实验和通用计算机编程，到包括现场可编程门阵列（fpga）的尖端数字技术。在射电天文学研究和电信应用强调通过课程。这些改进也与课程的科学重点相结合。这项新技术支持使用一个小圆盘来绘制银河系平面的大片区域，用于研究旋臂结构和证明暗物质的存在。新的实验包括诸如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。对实验室的改进旨在实现以下目标：1)使设备现代化，使实验能够探索更广泛的天体物理学和技术问题；2)通过使用尖端技术，激发学生的学习热情；3)加强教学与科研的联系；4)增加妇女和少数民族对射电天文学的参与；5)让学生为广泛的职业生涯做好准备。成功完成项目的学生的预期结果包括：1)对信号处理理论与在现实世界设备（包括望远镜和电信系统）中的实现之间的联系有更深的理解；2)增加进入射电天文学实验室的女性人数，导致更多的女性在射电天文学领域找到职业。更广泛的影响：该项目拓宽了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民族参与和接受射电天文学教育的人数。作为射电天文学领域的领先机构之一，伯克利有一个独特的机会，通过本科教育对国家产生影响。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。

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.