Collaborative Research: Full Scale Development: Skynet Junior Scholars: Engaging Youth in Authentic Science Using Research Grade Robotic Telescopes

芝加哥大学的耶克斯天文台、国家射电天文台、北卡罗来纳大学、太平洋天文学会和4-H正在合作，为180名4-H领导者和其他非正式科学教育工作者提供专业发展，并吸引1400名中学生使用研究级机器人望远镜和数据分析工具来探索宇宙。在威斯康星州、西弗吉尼亚州和北卡罗来纳州参加基于4H的校外计划的青年正在学习宇宙并为从事STEM职业做准备，方法是进行真实的天文研究，完成与天文学有关的动手建模活动，与天网机器人望远镜网络中的天文学家和其他专业人员互动，并与天网少年学者虚拟社区中的其他青年互动。该项目具有创新性，因为它正在为多样化的4-H青年社区(包括视力和听力障碍的青年以及来自代表人数不足的群体的青年)提供机会，通过测量星系、跟踪小行星、监测变星以及了解科学的性质和方法，使用高质量的远程互联网控制的望远镜来探索天空。交付内容包括：(1)在线获取光学和射电望远镜、数据分析工具和专业天文学家；(2)用于控制远程望远镜的适合年龄的基于网络的界面；(3)基于探究的标准一致的教学模块；(4)为4-H领导者和非正式科学教育工作者提供面对面和在线的专业发展；(5)校外俱乐部和俱乐部的青年编程；(6)关于方案活动对参与者的影响的评估结果；以及(7)关于青年和科学家之间基于网络的互动如何提高学生对STEM职业的兴趣和准备的研究成果。评估计划正在衡量计划活动在以下方面的有效性：(1)增加青年，包括视力和听力障碍青年在科学方面的知识、技能、兴趣、自我效能和认同感；(2)提高教育工作者实施探究式教学的能力和与科学家互动的能力；(3)增加参与教育和公共宣传的天网科学家的数量。

The University of Chicago's Yerkes Observatory, the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, the University of North Carolina, the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, and 4-H are collaborating to provide professional development to 180 4-H leaders and other informal science educators, and engage 1,400 middle school youth in using research-grade robotic telescopes and data analysis tools to explore the Universe. Youth participating in 4H-based out-of-school programs in Wisconsin, West Virginia and North Carolina are learning about the universe and preparing for STEM careers by conducting authentic astronomy research, completing astronomy-related hands-on modeling activities, interacting with astronomers and other professionals who are part of the Skynet Robotic Telescope Network, and interacting with other youth who part of the Skynet Junior Scholars virtual community. The project is innovative because it is providing a diverse community of 4-H youth (including sight- and hearing-challenged youth and those from underrepresented groups) with opportunities to use high-quality, remotely located, Internet-controlled telescopes to explore the heavens by surveying galaxies, tracking asteroids, monitoring variable stars, and learn about the nature and methods of science. Deliverables include (1) online access to optical and radio telescopes, data analysis tools, and professional astronomers, (2) an age-appropriate web-based interface for controlling remote telescopes, (3) inquiry-based standards-aligned instructional modules, (4) face-to-face and online professional development for 4-H leaders and informal science educators, (5) programming for youth in out-of-school clubs and clubs, (6) evaluation findings on the impacts of program activities on participants, and (7) research findings on how web-based interactions between youth and scientists can promote student interest in and preparedness for STEM careers. The evaluation plan is measuring the effectiveness of program activities in (1) increasing youths' knowledge, skills, interest, self-efficacy, and identity in science, including youth who are sight- and hearing-impaired, (2) increasing educators' competency in implementing inquiry-based instruction and their ability to interact with scientists, and (3) increasing the number of Skynet scientists who are involved in education and public outreach.