AccelNet-Implementation: The Global Network for Accelerating Synergies Through Research On Astronomy Culture, Communication, Education and Learning (ASTRO ACCEL)

从我们存在的黎明开始，人们就一直凝视着天空，星星的故事激发了我们的想象力，激励了全球各地的人类。在整个历史上，天文学也将社区、国家和文化联系在一起。各种研究项目和教育者中的轶事证据表明，与太空及其重大问题有关的话题仍然有可能让人们跨越文化和政治边界。地天联系一直是科学和文化发展的基本要素，对天空的观测有助于确定文化、宗教、农业、精神甚至时间观点，以及建立日历、计量单位、旅行时间、方位等现代生活的许多其他要素。今天，天文学仍然是我们社会结构的重要组成部分。世界各地的许多组织和网络致力于探索和开发造福社会的研究和资源。天文学是一门将人们联系在一起的科学。通过实践外交科学，天文学和空间科学有助于通过合作保持国家之间的沟通畅通；改善所有人的总体国家安全。此外，天文学经常被认为是一门门户科学，可以激励美国和海外的年轻和多样化的学习者追求科学、技术、工程和数学(STEM)的职业生涯，并可以产生一支懂STEM的劳动力队伍，从而改善国家的繁荣和福祉。通过文化、传播、教育和学习天文学研究促进协同作用全球网络(ASTRO ACEL)将建立一个国际网络网络(NON)，以加快以文化、传播、教育/学习和公众参与天文学为重点的研究、资源开发和资源共享。其结果将是一个全球性的非政府组织，它将促进我们在这些领域的知识和理解，从而在非政府组织中实现互利。此外，根据美国国家科学基金会的计划，人类-技术前沿的未来工作，包括和不断增长的融合研究，ASTRO Accel将建立在现有网络的基础上，高效地为复杂问题找到创造性的解决方案，并将连接全球研究人员和从业人员社区，以加快研究、改进实践和进一步的社会经济发展，从而确定新的融合研究领域，并利用从事STEM职业所需的资源和科学资本增加全球儿童数量。ASTRO Accel将使用结构性折叠和多模式方法，将来自世界各地的利益相关者聚集在一起，构建人力资本，并确定支持国际非个人和机构所需的网络基础设施。加快天文教育、参与、文化、传播等重点领域的研究，加快这些关键领域的研究转化为实践的进程。为了实现其目标，ASTRO Accel最初将美国和国际上十个成熟的网络聚集在一起，集中在三个广泛的领域进行研究和资源共享，其中包括a)正规天文教育，b)非正式天文教育和天文交流，以及c)利用天文学促进经济和社会发展。在整个为期三年的项目中，将有更多的组织和网络加入这一努力。到项目结束时，预计将有来自全球各地的大约20个网络和300多名个人通过应科院ACCEL积极参与。还将开展关于非发展和可持续做法的研究。Astro-Accel将包括各种面对面和虚拟会议，以及其他活动。ASTRO-ACEL将通过一系列调查和焦点小组访谈，探索在创建可持续和强大的国家行动纲领方面所需的参与者经验和最佳做法。来自调查和访谈的数据将帮助项目领导层发展实施做法和结构，以促进网络和个人的长期参与。调查结果和最佳实践将通过出版物和专业会议演示文稿与更广泛的STEM企业共享。该奖项反映了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。

Since the dawn of our existence, people have gazed at the heavens and the stories of the stars have captured our imagination and inspired humans across the globe. Throughout history astronomy has also bridged communities, countries, and cultures. Various research projects, and anecdotal evidence among educators have shown that topics related to space and its big questions still have the potential to engage people across cultural and political borders. The Earth-sky connection has been a fundamental element in the development of both science and culture, and observations of the sky have helped to define culture, religion, agriculture, spiritual and even temporal points of view, as well as establish calendars, units of measure, travel time, orientation, among many other elements of modern life. Today, astronomy remains an important part of our societal fabric. Numerous organizations and networks around the world work to explore and develop research and resources for the benefit of society. Astronomy is a connecting science that brings people together. Through the practice of science for diplomacy, astronomy and space sciences help to maintain open lines of communication between nations through collaboration; improving overall national security for all. In addition, astronomy is often referred to as a gateway science that inspires young and diverse learners here in the U.S. and abroad to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and can result a STEM-literate workforce that improves national prosperity and well-being. The Global Network for Accelerating Synergies Through Research on Astronomy in Culture, Communication, Education and Learning (ASTRO ACCEL) will build an international network of networks (NoN) to accelerate research, resource development, and resource sharing focused on culture, communications, education/learning, and public engagement in astronomy. The result will be a global NoN that advances our knowledge and understanding in these areas for mutual benefit across the NoN. Further, in alignment with the NSF’s programs, Future of Work at the Human-Technology Frontier, INCLUDES and Growing Convergence Research, ASTRO ACCEL will build upon existing networks to efficiently find creative solutions to complicated problems, and will bridge global communities of researchers and practitioners to accelerate research, improve practice, and further socioeconomic development, thus identifying new areas for convergence research and increasing the number of children worldwide with the resources and science capital required to pursue a career in STEM.ASTRO ACCEL will use a structural folding and multimodal approach to bring together stakeholders from around the world to build the human capital and identify the cyber infrastructure necessary to support an international NoN of individuals and institutions, accelerate research in the key areas of astronomy education, engagement, culture, and communication, and accelerate the process of research-to-practice in these key areas. In accomplishing its goals, ASTRO ACCEL initially brings together ten well-established U.S. and international networks to focus research and resource sharing in three broad areas including a) formal astronomy education, b) informal astronomy education and astronomy communication, and c) use of astronomy for economic and social development. Throughout the three-year project additional organizations and networks will join the effort. By project end, it is anticipated that approximately 20 networks from across the globe and 300+ individuals will be actively engaged through ASTRO ACCEL.Research on NoN development and sustainable practices will also take place. ASTRO-ACCEL will include a variety of in-person and virtual meetings, as well as other activities. Through a series of surveys and focus group interviews, ASTRO-ACCEL will explore participant experiences and best practices necessary in the creation of sustainable and robust NoNs. Data from the surveys and interviews will help project leadership evolve the implementation of practices and structures that facilitate long-term engagement of networks as well as individuals. Findings and best practices will be shared with the broader STEM enterprise through publications and professional conference presentations.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.