From its inception PARI has recognized the value of encouraging science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education by training teachers and providing them with the content knowledge, tools and enthusiasm to carry hands-on learning experiences into the classroom. 

Our School of Galactic Radio Astronomy (SGRA) is nearly as old as PARI itself.  Often called the “Smiley” program because it uses a PARI radio telescope with a “Smiley” face painted on the surface, SGRA is a grade 8-12 radio astronomy lab that allows students to remotely access a PARI radio telescope and conduct experiments via the Internet.  Teachers attend professional development workshops to learn the science of radio astronomy and how to use “Smiley,” a 4.6 meter (15ft) radio telescope.  To date, more than 200 teachers have been certified and have used Smiley to benefit more than 3,000 students, some as far away as Australia. The Smiley program has also been used as part of introductory astronomy courses in colleges and community colleges. 

Teacher graduates of our SGRA workshops have attended advanced workshops, held on the PARI campus, where they learn to use our 16-inch West Optical Telescope to investigate more complex topics such as eclipsing binary stars.

PARI is excited to be part of Robotics: Opportunities for Building Outstanding Talent in the Sciences (ROBOTS), a 3-year project in which 180 middle school students from six locations across North Carolina explore physics through astronomy and robotics.  The project is coordinated through the North Carolina Mathematics and Science Education Network (MSEN) Centers.  The project goal is to increase competence and enthusiasm for science so that students will choose to pursue a science, math or technology related career. Scientists and science educators at PARI develop curriculum for the year-round and summer sessions.  Each year PARI leads at least 6 professional development workshops for the middle school teachers and mentors who guide the students.

PARI has also sponsored projects for teachers in cooperation with The Pisgah Forest Institute at nearby Brevard College, UNC Greensboro, Meredith College in Raleigh, and the state science teacher conferences in both North and South Carolina.