From Dr. Luisa Rebull of Caltech’s Spitzer Science Center, FYI…

Are you, or do you know of, any educators who might be interested in doing authentic astronomical research with NASA data, and who are willing to take three all-reasonable-expenses-paid trips?

NITARP is now accepting applications for 2012. The application site is ready, and you can upload your application any time before Sep 23!

NITARP, the NASA/IPAC Teacher Archive Research Program, gets teachers involved in authentic astronomical research. We partner small groups of educators with a mentor professional astronomer for an *original* research project. The educators incorporate the experience into their classrooms and share their experience with other teachers. The program runs January through January. Applications are available *now* and due on September 23.

This program, to the best of our knowledge, is completely unique in the following two important ways: (1) each team does original research using real astronomical data, not canned labs or reproductions of previously done research; (2) each team writes up the results of their research and presents it at an American Astronomical Society meeting (the AAS is the professional organization for astronomers in the US). Each team also presents the educational results of their experience in the program.

Most, but not all, of our educators are grade 8-13; informal educators have participated as well. The kinds of educators we are looking for are those who already know the basics of astronomy, are interested in learning exactly how astronomy research is conducted, and are willing to share their experiences with colleagues and students in their environment. Three all-reasonable-expenses-paid trips are integral to the program!

More information and the application for NITARP for 2012 is now available here: http://nitarp.ipac.caltech.edu/
and our application site is now accepting uploads. Applications are due Sep 23!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at this email or at our central email, nitarp@ipac.caltech.edu.

Please pass this along to any educators you feel might be interested.

Thanks,
Luisa

Dr. Luisa Rebull Research Scientist, Spitzer Science Center
Caltech M/S 220-6 voice 626-395-4565
1200 E. California Blvd. FAX 626-568-0673
Pasadena, CA 91125