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Research Experiences for Teachers

 

2010

RESEARCH EXPERIENCES FOR TEACHERS PROGRAM

MIT HAYSTACK OBSERVATORY

Westford MA

MIT Haystack Observatory in Westford, MA, will host two local area high school science teachers during the Summer of 2010, under the sponsorship of the National Science Foundation. These teachers will work with staff scientists on a project using observational instruments and will receive hands-on experience in the field of radio astronomy and atmospheric science. Participants will also have the opportunity to attend weekly seminars focusing on various areas of research conducted at Haystack. The goal of the program is for the teachers to develop a unit of inquiry-based lesson plans for a particular high school level, based on their summer research internship.

Project for 2010: Teaching Physics With MOSAIC

Mentors Alan Rogers, Vincent Fish

The Mesospheric Ozone System for Atmospheric Investigations in the Classroom (MOSAIC) is an array of spectrometers used to observe the 11 GHz line of ozone in the mesosphere. Several MOSAIC spectrometers have been deployed at high schools and universities in the eastern United States to conduct original research measuring the diurnal, seasonal, and latitudinal variations in mesospheric ozone concentration. The educational goal of the MOSAIC project is to provide students with an opportunity to analyze and interpret data in a networked collaborative environment. The MOSAIC system can also be used as a focal point for teaching physics. Such subjects as heat and heat transfer, waves, electricity and magnetism, and electromagnetic radiation can all potentially be taught using the MOSAIC system as a focus to generate not only learning, but also active participation in the learning process. The two teachers chosen for this project will spend the summer working with a MOSAIC spectrometer to learn about the system. They will then begin to analyze portions of the physics curriculum to see where a coherent series of lessons could be created to teach physics with the MOSAIC system as the basis, giving their students the depth of a unique research experience while learning the requisite physics concepts.

PROGRAM DETAILS

We plan to host two high school science teachers for seven to eight weeks during the Summer of 2010 who will work at the research facilities of the MIT Haystack Observatory. Following an introduction to Haystack Observatory's programs in radio astronomy, geodesy, and atmospheric science, the teachers will work together learning about and using the MOSAIC system. They will learn how it works, as well as the science behind using radio waves to study such regions such as the mesosphere. Studying with MIT scientists at Haystack Observatory, the teachers will acquire sufficient background information to develop lesson plans at the requisite grade level for students in the classroom. The teachers will interact with staff and students, and learn about special research projects as they attend the summer seminar series and activities planned for students and teachers. As they begin their project, scientists will guide them in their studies of the subject. The specific details for this year's project have been provided above by the staff mentors.

The goal of the program is for the teachers to develop introductory lesson plans for a particular K-12 level based on their summer research internships. These plans can then be followed by other teachers interested in using these units or by students pursuing independent study. The lesson plans will be placed on the Haystack Web site and will be linked to a rich base of other research and educational materials located there. Links will also be provided to other sites associated with Haystack's research disciplines and to educational materials relevant to the effort. This will simplify access to the materials by all teachers and students in the future. Haystack will encourage all interested teachers to take advantage of these materials and to apply them to their class activities prior to visits or interactions with our group.

During the summer, stipends of $1,000.00 per week will be paid to the participating teachers. Scheduling of time is somewhat flexible, but requires a joint starting date. While the project is in progress teachers will have the use of working space equipped with a personal computer connected to our network to allow observations, analysis of data, access to the Web, and development of the lesson plans. Opportunities are also available for the participants to report on their projects at selected professional meetings. Participation in this program requires a commitment from each teacher to integrate some part of this experience into his or her classroom activities.

A meeting will be held at Haystack Observatory on Wednesday, February 3, 2010, at 4:00 PM to provide more information and answer any questions related to this program. Attendance is encouraged but not required for participation in this program. Directions to the Observatory can be found on the Haystack Web site. Questions about the program can be e-mailed to info@haystack.mit.edu or addressed to Madeleine Needles at 781-981-5400.

Application deadline is February 26, 2010. All applications must include the following items:

• Letter of interest with professional background information about the teacher

• Résumé

• Letter of reference from the head of the science department or the school principal that includes an expression of support for the inclusion of RET related experiences in the classroom

The application should be addressed to:

RET Program

MIT Haystack Observatory

Off Rte. 40

Westford, MA 01886

The decision on teacher selection is expected to be made by March 15, 2010.

OUTCOME

The results will be a series of inquiry-based lesson plans to be used as an introduction to the research discipline described above not only by the participating teacher but also by other teachers. These lesson plans will also be made available through the Web to all teachers as part of our expanding education program. Teachers are also encouraged to present the results of their experiences at professional forums such as the AAS, AAPT, NSTA or AGU meetings.

ABBREVIATED VITAE

The primary staff mentors and coordinators of the RET program at Haystack Observatory include the following key personnel. Summaries of their vitae with emphasis on their educational experience and interests are outlined briefly.

Alan E. E. Rogers. Ph.D. 1967, MIT. Former Asst. Director, MIT Haystack

Observatory and Senior Research Scientist, MIT; (Currently retired and working as a MIT Research Affiliate) Member of the team that received the Rumford Prize in 1971 for the development of Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI); Measured the abundance of Deuterium in the Galactic anticenter using the radio line at 327 MHz; Developer of the Small Radio Telescope (SRT), the VSRT, and the VSRT Ozone Spectrometer; Worked with industry to develop radio location systems for cellular phones; Current research interests include radio arrays and spectrometers specializing in the detection and measurement of weak radio astronomy signals.

Vincent Fish, PhD. 2004, Harvard University. Scientist specializing in radio astronomy, with emphasis on science and techniques using interferometry. Coordinator in the REU program, and participant in the RET program.

Madeleine Needles. M.S. 1997, Simmons College; B.A. Education. Coordinator of pre-college outreach and teacher interactions. Information specialist, and materials and media services coordinator at Haystack and Millstone Hill Observatories. Coordinator of the RET program, participant in Young Scholars program and facilitator of REU student projects.