Astrophysics Research by High School Students

Astrophysics Research by High School Students
Summer Institute

Sponsored by Educational Foundation of America and
Rutgers University and
The Department of Physics and Astronomy
The Graduate School of Education
at Rutgers University

For Whom: High School Students who have completed a physics course (teams of two students and a teacher from each participating school)

When: Four weeks during the summer 2000 (June 26^th - July 21^st ) and during the academic year (when the research is actually conducted at your school)

Where: Rutgers University, The Department of Physics and Astronomy. (Participants commute daily to the University)

What: During these 4 weeks the participants will learn the basics of stellar astrophysics and X-ray data analysis, and start their own research in the field of X-ray variable stars. During the following academic year they will continue authentic research using data from various X-ray satellites through the Internet in contact with Rutgers professors and graduate students.

Funding: Support is provided by Educational Foundation of America and Rutgers University.

Credits: The participants can register for 3 university undergraduate credits (this is not necessary to participate in the program). If the program is successfully completed, they will receive $200-350 (depending on the funds available) contingent upon registration.

Requirements:

students must have completed a high school physics course.

while conducting the academic year research, students must schedule a common meeting time of at least one hour a week.

beginning September 2000, schools must agree to support the work of the teams by providing them with direct, easy access to a computer (Windows 98 is a requirement), modem and communications technology, including communications software, a dedicated phone line, and Internet access.

schools are encouraged to provide some flexibility in scheduling so that the teacher mentor and students will have time to meet, discuss, and work on their research.

Program Information

Astrophysics Research by High School Students provides avenues for high school science students and their teachers to participate in research in X-ray astrophysics. Teams will learn about stellar structure and evolution, different sources of X-rays, X-ray telescopes and satellites, methods of data analysis. This a year long Program that:

begins with a four week Astrophysics Summer Institute,

continues during the academic year at each high school,

includes monthly meetings of all participants in the Physics Department,

and concludes the following spring with the Forum.

Teams begin their work by attending a four week (June & July 2000) Astrophysics Summer Institute in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Rutgers University. During this time the students learn about spectral analysis of different kinds of electromagnetic radiation, experimental techniques, main concepts of stellar astrophysics, different methods of data analysis in modern astrophysics. Although we recognize that much of what is involved with satellite data analysis is beyond the scope of students and teachers in a high school, several topics are suitable for the basic understanding of astrophysics concepts. These topics include:

1) Searching for periodic behavior of galactic x-ray sources.

Virtually all galactic x-ray sources are known to be members of binary systems, and an entire industry has been founded to look for binary periodicities. Utilizing tools such as Fourier analysis and phase-folding techniques, data that reveal this type of behavior can be searched and analyzed.

2) Spectral analysis of cosmic sources.

Much has been learned by examining how a star’s light intensity varies as a function of energy. X-ray information is available via the National Space Science Data Center (NSSDC) and can be examined by individuals with skill in extracting such data from the satellite archives. Exciting possibilities exist for correlating spectral changes with binary phase, which reflect the intensity changes that are common to most x-ray sources.

3) Generation of long-term light curves for cosmic x-ray sources.

Although some of the brighter and more spectacular x-ray sources have been analyzed on a long term basis, we now have catalogs of hundreds of unanalyzed galactic sources. Contributions to the field are possible through systematic examination of the weaker sources for intensity changes.

A unique component of this Program is that the research that is initiated in the summer continues during the academic year. During the 1999 - 2000 academic year, the schools, teachers and students who participated in the summer’s Institute will be paired with graduate students in astronomy. They will communicate via the Internet and will conduct analysis of the data available from NASA archives. Monthly meetings of all participants will be used to the discussion of the results and meeting with leading astrophysicists. At the end of the school year, a special forum will be held in which participating high school students, teachers, and graduate students will report their results. This will present a unique opportunity for students to explore cutting-edge research and become a part of the scientific community.

For additional information contact:

Dr. Eugenia Etkina

Graduate School of Education

Rutgers University

10 Seminary place

New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1183

Phone: (732) 932-7496 ext 339

FAX: (732) 932-7552

e-mail: etkina@rci.rutgers.edu

Astrophysics Research by High School Students

Summer Institute

Student Application Form

NAME______________________________________DATE________________

HOME ADDRESS_________________________________________________

_______________________________ZIP_______PHONE_________________

E-MAIL ADDRESS(Personal)________________________________________

NAME OF PARENT OR LEGAL GARDIAN______________________________

DAYTIME/BUSINESS PHONE OF PARENT/LEGAL GARDIAN______________

GRADE YOU WILL BE ENTERING IN SEPTEMBER 1998_________________

NAME OF HIGH SCHOOL___________________________________________

SCHOOL ADDRESS_______________________________________________

_________________________ZIP______________PHONE________________

NAME OF PRINCIPAL______________________________________________

NAME OF YOUR GUIDANCE COUNCELOR____________________________

NAME OF YOUR PHYSICS TEACHER_________________________________

RECOMMENDATION

Please have your physics teacher write a brief statement to recommend your participation in the program. The letter should be sent to Dr. Etkina. A letter of recommendation is required to complete your application.

Please include a copy of your high school transcript and current report card with this application.

Personal statement - Please respond to the following, limiting your essay to 200 words.

Describe the most interesting high school activity or situation that you have experienced that deals with science. Why was it interesting to you? How has this experience influenced you?

Send this application & address all correspondence to: Drs. Eugenia Etkina & Terry Matilsky

Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey

Graduate School of Education

10 Seminary Place

New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1183