REU Site: Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site Program at Kitt Peak National Observatory

该奖项支持为位于亚利桑那州图森市基特峰国家天文台(KPNO)的国家光学天文台(NOAO)本科生研究体验(REU)站点提供新的资金。REU计划将每年向6名符合条件的申请者提供，重点是招收科学界代表性不足的女性或少数族裔学生，以及从无法获得一流研究人员和设施的机构招收学生。KPNO的REU计划的主要目标是鼓励本科生从事科学事业，在未来的科学、技术、教育和数学(STEM)劳动力中培养高水平的科学素养，并激发人们对美国天文学成就和福利的终身兴趣。在这个暑期项目中，将为学生们提供各种各样的REU项目。这些包括：使用发光星系来追踪宇宙的增长；了解恒星的演化；以及开创性地研究光污染。作为研究活动的一部分，REU的学生将获得KPNO最先进的望远镜和仪器的第一手经验，并发展专门用于天文研究的数据分析工具方面的专业知识。此外，他们还将参加一系列讲座和研讨会，专门为让他们接触到一系列研究主题、技术和天文设施而设计。最后，REU网站为学生提供了在美国天文学会会议上展示他们的研究的机会，这是一个重要的国际会议。

This award supports renewed funding of the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site at Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO) in Tucson, Arizona. The REU program will be offered annually to six qualified applicants, with an emphasis placed on recruiting women or students from minorities that are underrepresented in the scientific community, as well as recruiting students from institutions lacking access to first-rate research staff and facilities. The primary goals of the REU program at KPNO are to encourage undergraduates to pursue careers in science, to foster high levels of scientific literacy among the future science, technology, education, and mathematics (STEM) workforce, and to stimulate a lifelong interest in the achievements and welfare of U.S. astronomy. A wide variety of REU projects will be offered to students during this summer program. These include: using luminous galaxies to trace the growth of the universe; understanding the evolution of stars; and pioneering research into light pollution. As part of their research activities, REU students will gain first-hand experience with KPNO's state-of-the art telescopes and instrumentation, and develop expertise in the tools of data analysis specific to astronomical research. In addition, they will participate in a series of lectures and workshops designed particularly to expose them to a range of research topics, techniques, and astronomical facilities. Finally, the REU Site offers the opportunity for students to present their research at the American Astronomical Society meeting, which is a major international conference.