REU Site: The Keck Northeast Astronomy Consortium

该提案将资助与凯克东北天文学联盟（KNAC）相关的REU计划。KNAC是一个由八所文理学院组成的团体，自1990年以来一直合作开展天文学项目。该联盟的成立是为了增加天文学教学机构的本科生的研究机会，但研究机会有限。每年有10名本科生参加为期10周的夏季研究计划。一些（2-4）的程序插槽是预留给学生从联盟以外。在项目接近尾声时，每个受支持的学生都会参加一个学生研讨会，该研讨会由联盟中的全体教师参加。学生们就他们的研究进行了10分钟的演讲，并制作了海报。此外，学生们还将撰写一份4页的论文，并将其提交给在整个天文学界分发的本科生研究研讨会论文集。REU网站的性质在教育活动方面产生了更广泛的影响。在这种情况下，该联盟作为其他小型学院的典范，展示了区域合作伙伴关系如何克服规模问题。自1990年以来，参加该方案的学生中女性刚刚超过50%。该联盟成员承诺继续努力吸引更多代表性不足群体的成员加入该计划。成员学校还从东北部没有天文学研究机会的学校招募参与者。

This proposal will fund the REU program associated with the Keck Northeast Astronomy Consortium (KNAC). KNAC is a group of eight liberal arts colleges with astronomy programs that have collaborated since 1990. The consortium was formed to enhance the research opportunities for undergraduates at institutions where astronomy was taught, but where research opportunities are limited. Ten undergraduates per year take part in the summer research program that runs for ten weeks. Some (2-4) of the program slots are reserved for students from outside the consortium. Near the end of the program each supported students participate in a Student Symposium that is attended by the entire faculty in the consortium. The students give a 10-min talk on their research and produce poster presentations. Additionally the students write a 4-page paper on their projects and submit it to the Proceedings of the Undergraduate Research Symposium which is distributed throughout the astronomy community.The very nature of an REU site results in a broader impact, in terms of educational activities. In this case the consortium works as a model for other small colleges to show how a regional partnership can overcome issues of size. Since 1990 just over 50% of the student participants have been female. The consortium members pledge to continue their efforts to attract more members of underrepresented groups to the program. The member schools also recruit participants from schools in the northeast where there are no opportunities for astronomy research.