REU Site: Astronomy and Planetary Science in Flagstaff, Arizona

该奖项为北亚利桑那大学(NAU)、洛厄尔天文台和USGS天体地质科学中心的本科生长期研究经验(REU)网站提供为期三年的续签资金。每年10名学生参与者将与NAU、Lowell和USGS的科学家配对，在广泛的主题中进行天体物理研究，包括行星、太阳、恒星和银河系天体物理。此外，学生们将参加每两周一次的研讨会，以了解更多关于专业天体物理学、负责任的研究行为和申请研究生院的知识。该网站还将向学生介绍尖端望远镜，包括洛厄尔发现频道望远镜和海军精密光学干涉仪。通过为处于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范围内的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 award provides renewed funding for three years for the longstanding Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site at Northern Arizona University (NAU), Lowell Observatory, and the USGS Astrogeology Science Center. Ten student participants per year will be paired with NAU, Lowell, and USGS scientists to conduct astrophysics research into a wide variety of topics, including planetary, solar, stellar, and galactic astrophysics. In addition, the students will attend biweekly seminars to learn more about professional astrophysics, responsible research conduct, and applying to graduate school. The Site will also introduce students to cutting-edge telescopes, including Lowell's Discovery Channel Telescope and the Naval Precision Optical Interferometer. 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.