Robotics: Opportunities for Building Outstanding Talent in the Sciences: ROBOTS

Funded by the National Science Foundation Academies for Young Scientists

ROBOTS Teachers
Access the Smiley Control Room
Download the PPT used in the Summer 2007 Workshops

Introduction
Thirty middle school students from each of the 7 areas served by the North Carolina Mathematics and Science Education Network (MSEN) Centers, for a total of 210 students, will participate in 2 years of hands-on science experiences.

PARI’s Role
Scientists and Science Educators from PARI will present professional development workshops for middle school teachers and mentors. The workshops contain three components: 1) Technology Tools for the Scientist, an exploration of the inner workings of the remote and robotic telescopes at PARI; 2) Exploration of the Milky Way, remotely using the 4.6-m radio; and 3) Practical skill - observe real and new scientific data using the images and data from the radio and optical telescopes.

PARI Professional Development Workshops
Three sets of workshops are planned for 2007. Each set consists of workshops at three different MSEN Centers. One set is planned for January, one set for May, and one set for August 2007. Briefly, the focus each set of workshops is:

• Radio Astronomy and Controlling a Robotic Radio Telescope
• Radio astronomy project (observing Galactic rotation) and introduction to Optical Astronomy
• Optical Astronomy project (Observing asteroids)

In addition, one Day Field Trips for each of the 7 centers will be made to PARI during the Summer 2007. The trips include: Tour of PARI; Hands-on use of the Smiley Radio Telescope; Hands on use of the PARI Solar Telescopes; StarLab Planetarium.

At each MSEN Center, the PARI StarLab will be used to present an introduction to astronomy and radio astronomy concepts. Computer labs will be used to present nature of light and radio astronomy concepts, and use of the Smiley 4.6-m Radio Telescope. All teachers will work through the lesson plans.

Photos: