HST
CYCLE 12 E/PO GRANTS
This year, the Hubble Space Telescope Cycle 12 EPO Grant Program received 25 proposal submissions comprised of 41 HST Cycle 12 GO/AR/SNAP programs and 3 Hubble Fellows. The amount of funding requested was $975,236. Eleven programs were awarded funds for a total of $352,199. The over-subscription rate for Cycle 12 was approximately 1:3.
- Tools for Teaching Cosmology and Galaxy Evolution - Romeel Dave, University of Arizona
- Reach for the Stars - Kathleen Eastwood, Northern Arizona University
- Teaching with a Starlab - William Herbst, Wesleyan University
- Updating a Statewide Grade 8 Astronomy Curriculum - John Gizis, University of Delaware
- Where do the elements come from? -- Online Curriculum - Donald York, University of Chicago
- Astronomy on Stage - Illana Harrus, USRA
- Women's Science Forum: An Outreach Event for Middle School/High School Girls - Brad Whitmore, Space Telescope Science Institute
- School of Galactic Radio Astronomy-Orion Explorer - Michael Castelaz, Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute
- Public Access to Recent HST Mars Imagery - James Bell, Cornell University
- The Birth and Death of Stars and Planets: Hubble Space Telescope - Charles O'Dell, Vanderbilt University
- Parallax Park: The Design Development for an Outdoor Exhibit - George Fritz Benedict, The University of Texas at Austin
ABSTRACTS
Tools for Teaching Cosmology and Galaxy Evolution
Principal Investigator: Romeel Dave, University of Arizona
Co Investigator: Chris Impey, University of Arizona
Program Type: Curriculum
Target Audience: Both
Budget: $39,743
Abstract
The team proposes to create a set of tool for teaching concepts in cosmology
and galaxy evolution to non-science majors. The basis of the tools will
be powerful new web technologies, including 3D visualization and interactive
applets. Essential to this project is the fact that the team will use
real data or astrophysically correct simulations. The immediate target
audience is 2000 students/year at the University of Arizona, but web delivery
is planned to the large audience of similar students around the country.
Parallax Park: The Design Development for an Outdoor
Exhibit
Principal Investigator: George Benedict, The University of Texas at Austin
Co Investigator: Mary Kay Hemenway, McDonald Observatory
Program Type: Outreach
Target Audience: K-12
Budget: $60,000
Abstract
How far away are the stars? How do astronomers find planets around them?
How do space telescopes contribute to our understanding of the Universe?
Parallax Park, an inquiry-based exhibit, will provide answers to these
questions and more to the more than 100,000 visitors who come to McDonald
Observatory each year. Parallax Park is a bilingual, interactive, hands-on,
family-oriented, outdoor exhibit that will help visitors learn the basic
principles of astrometry, concentrating on distance determination and
extra- solar planet detection. Visitors will experience parallax by traveling
a path around a representation of the Sun, mimicking Earth's orbit, while
viewing representations of stars at various distances and in various directions.
The exhibit includes interactive components suitable for children's use. Text labels and printed guides, in English and Spanish, will explain how to use the Park to explore the uses of astrometry in modern science. The Principle Investigator has spearheaded efforts in astrometry with HST and has served as the lead scientific consultant for exhibits in the McDonald Observatory Visitors Center. The Co-Investigator provides extensive experience in astronomy education. To support the design, production of ancillary educational materials and activities, and evaluation, the team will work with the McDonald Observatory Public Information Office, museum exhibit-design professionals, and bilingual evaluation experts at the University of Texas at Austin Office of Survey Research.
School of Galactic Radio Astronomy-Orion Explorer
Principal Investigator: Michael Castelaz, Pisgah Astronomoical Research
Institute
Co Investigator: Charles Bogle, Pisgah Astronomoical Research Institute
Program Type: Curriculum
Target Audience: K-12
Budget: $20,000
Abstract
The School of Galactic Radio Astronomy (SGRA) was developed to offer students
a unique, live, hands-on, inquiry-based approach to learning through Internet
control of a 4.6 meter radio telescope located at Pisgah Astronomical
Research Institute (PARI).
The Birth and Death of Stars and Planets: HST
Principal Investigator: Charles O'Dell, Vanderbilt University
Co Investigator: Sue McPherson, Henderson High School
Program Type: Training/Work
Target Audience: K-12
Budget: $52,320
Abstract
Children and adults alike are fascinated by astronomy as it unfolds the
mysteries of the formation of the universe. This natural interest can
be the key to stimulating an enhanced interest in multiple disciplines
of science. This proposed work utilizes research on the Hubble Space Telescope
in combination with a special astronomical facility, the Vanderbilt Dyer
Observatory, to connect to teachers, students and the general public.
Based on input from a senior teacher advisory group that connects directly
to underserved students, the proposed approach will include the development
of new curriculum for middle and high school science classes that supports
and supplements the basic materials which address the national and state
science standards. The new curriculum will be utilized in teacher and
teacher/student workshops conducted at the Dyer Observatory as a way to
test and implant HST results into the classrooms of middle Tennessee.
The curriculum will be inquiry-based and will utilize a hands-on interactive
display element built around recent HST images, a demonstration of the
optical elements of HST, a presentation of the HST development history
and the building of realistic mock-ups of space-borne telescopes. The
program will form a successful set of linkages from Hubble results to
curriculum to teachers and students with a goal of enhancing student interest
in astronomy and building a longer-term involvement through observing
opportunities at Dyer and participation in a new Corps of Explorers science
group.
Reach for the Stars
Principal Investigator: Kathleen Eastwood, Northern Arizona University
Co Investigator: Mary Lara, DeMiguel Elementary School
Program Type: Training/Work
Target Audience: K-12
Budget: $15,025
Abstract
This project will enable a team of a third grade teacher and two professional
astronomers to offer training workshops for the sixth grade teachers and
the Talented and Gifted teacher at DeMiguel Elementary School in Flagstaff,
Arizona. The sessions will include the HST, the electromagnetic spectrum,
stellar evolution, and observing with the school's Walker Observatory.
The training will emphasize inquiry-based activities. After the teachers
have been trained, they will teach these units in the sixth grade classes,
using the team as resources. The teachers and principal will work with
a nearby middle school to continue inquiry-based science education into
the middle school.
Teaching with a Starlab
Principal Investigator: William Herbst, Wesleyan University
Co Investigator: Daniel Dolan, Wesleyan University
Program Type: Training/Work
Target Audience: K-12
Budget: $20,000
Abstract
The team proposes to teach a one-week summer professional development
course for Connecticut teachers of grades 1-8 under the auspices of PIMMS
(Project to Increase the Mastery of Mathematics and Science).
Where do the elements come from? -- Online Curriculum
Principal Investigator: Don York, University of Chicago
Co Investigator: Michael Lach, Chicago Public Schools
Program Type: Curriculum
Target Audience: K-12
Budget: $40,000
Abstract
Two curriculum modules and several hours of classroom programming on the
origins of the elements will be created for on-line delivery to Chicago
Public School students. The modules consist of 'tours' led by a docent,
a storyteller who relates the educational content in a language the students
understand. The material is delivered on-line and on-demand from a server
on the University of Chicago science. To guarantee the story telling paradigm
and the relevant language of the story, the modules are written by Chicago
Public School teachers, who are also involved in planning the overall
content. The modules are produced by professionals at the University of
Chicago who are involved in a wider outreach centered on technology in
the public schools.
Updating a Statewide Grade 8 Astronomy Curriculum
Principal Investigator: John Gizis, University of Delaware
Co Investigator: Sherrie Densler, Central Middle School
Program Type: Curriculum
Target Audience: K-12
Budget: $5,120
Abstract
This team of one senior astronomer, one junior astronomer and an experienced
middle school teacher propose to update a statewide 8th grade astronomy
curriculum which is currently in use.
Public Access to Recent HST Mars Imagery
Principal Investigator: James Bell, Cornell University
Co Investigator: Charles Trautmann, Sciencenter
Program Type: Outreach
Target Audience: Informal Science
Budget: $60,000
Abstract
The Sciencenter, a hands-on science museum in Ithaca, NY and the Space
Science Institute of Boulder, CO will collaborate to bring new HST Mars
observations to the public through a museum exhibit and web-based software.
Building on previous E/PO efforts and using recent observations, the project
team will make significant enhancements to the MarsQuest exhibition and
MarsQuest Online website in addition to creating new software that allows
users to learn how scientists combine information from differing spectral
bands to develop a better understanding of Mars. Martian weather and understanding
the Martian surface will be featured in the software. Widespread dissemination
will occur through the MarsQuest exhibition (1 million visitors anticipated
over the next 3 years throughout the U.S.), the MarsQuest Online website
(1/2 to 1 million users anticipated), and exhibits on display at the Sciencenter
and Denver Museum of Nature & Science (1 million visitors over 3 years).
Building on ten years of experience of using teen docents in the fields
of physics and chemistry at science museums, the Sciencenter will create
a teen-docent training program in astronomy. Twenty teens from underserved
audiences will be trained as a pilot project, teaching them information
about NASA, the HST Mars program, and other topics. Other museums with
teen docents will be able to replicate the program by hosting the computer
interactives and implementing the training program with their teens.
Astronomy on Stage
Principal Investigator: Ilana Harrus, USRA
Co Investigator: Markus Haacker, Synetic Theater
Program Type: Other
Target Audience: Both
Budget: $19,991
Abstract
This collaboration intends to offer an innovative program in science outreach.
Synetic Theater has significant experience in producing plays for children,
including plays with science content, and has established contacts with
the school system in the region. The team plans to develop a children's
theater play with strong astronomy content, based on national standards.
This proposal covers the development and production of the play and of
a teacher's guide detailing the science content of the play. It also includes
the cost of 10 performances in low-resource schools, targeting young people
from disadvantaged backgrounds. The guide will be distributed to teachers
beforehand in order to facilitate one or several classroom discussions
about the science in the play. The team will organize a one-day teacher
workshop to explain the material and its possible follow-up. This project
targets middle-school children but theatergoers of all ages will enjoy
the play. The team plans to develop the concept and storyline of the play
by the end of 2003. Production will take several months, and the play
will be ready to tour for the following school year. The team will evaluate
the program using data from teachers, parents and participating students.
The potential for extending an interest in and knowledge of science through
theater is immense, and it is the team's goal to realize that potential.
Women's Science Forum: An Outreach Even for Middle
and High School Girls
Principal Investigator: Brad Whitmore, Space Telescope Science Institute
Co Investigator: Gabrielle Miller, Kennedy Krieger Institute
Program Type: Outreach
Target Audience: K-12
Budget: $20,000
Abstract
Females are under-represented in science. While the under-representation
is not as visible in middle or high school, it is at this period in a
girl's life that they formulate their ideas about what they might be or
do when they 'grow up'. They carry these images and ideas with them into
college where their serious decisions are made regarding whether they
pursue science as a career, or indeed whether they regard science as relevant
to their life at all. These decisions include whether or not to continue
to take mathematics, whether to chose physics as a major, or importantly
whether to *continue* in science as a major or a career. Despite the fact
that more girls are taking science classes, they still feel some social
stigma because they are interested in science. The program seeks to erase
that stigma, to provide a positive and powerful memory of a science experience,
and to allow the girls to connect with role models - women who have 'made
it' in their own way, on their own terms, in a science-based career. For
minority/disadvantaged youths or special needs youths that must compensate
for a disability, the stigma is magnified. The program described within
this proposal reaches to all girls, making finances, race or ability a
non-issue through careful selection of hands-on activities and through
strategic collaborations with qualified organizations such as Kennedy
Krieger Institute (KKI) and Living Classrooms Foundation (LCF).
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