Astrophysics Research by High School Students
Summer Institute

Sponsored by Educational Foundation of America and
Rutgers University

The Department of Physics and Astronomy
The Graduate School of Education

For whom:     High School Physics Teachers 

(teams of 2 students and a teacher from each participating school)

When:     Four weeks during the summer 2000 (June 26th July 21st) 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.

Requirements:     During the academic year, schools must provide students and teachers with facilities and a secure work area so that Teams can conduct the research in their schools.

While conducting the academic year research, teams 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 version is required), modem and communications technology, including communications software, a dedicated phone line, and Internet access, FTP (P-II 266, 64 MEG RAM, STB 128 Velocity graphics video card, 10 base T LAN card for networking capabilities).

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.

Other:     A teacher can register to receive 3 graduate physics credits for participation if all the required work is completed. A $920 stipend is awarded contingent upon registering for the credits. Registration for credits is not required for participation.
Teachers will receive copies of texts and related supplies during the summer Institute.
Teachers will receive most materials and supplies necessary to conduct the research in the schools. High cost equipment can not be provided.

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:

Teams begin their work by attending a four week (June – July2000) Summer Institute in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Rutgers University. During this time 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 2000-2001 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 will be held in the Physics Department. 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

Teacher application form

NAME______________________________________DATE________________

HOME ADDRESS_________________________________________________

_______________________________ZIP_______PHONE_________________

E-MAIL ADDRESS(Personal)________________________________________

SCHOOL ADDRESS_______________________________________________

_______________________________ZIP_______PHONE_________________

E-MAIL ADDRESS (School)__________________________________________

NAME OF PRINCIPAL______________________________________________

NAME OF SCIENCE SUPERVISOR___________________________________

NAME OF DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT______________________________

ADDRESS_______________________________________________________

_______________________________ZIP________PHONE________________

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND______________________________________

CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES________________________________

PERSONAL STATEMENT (do you have a dedicated phone line and Internet access in your classroom?)__________________________________________

If not, please discuss how your school provides teachers and students with Internet access.___________________________________________________

LETTERS OF REFERENCE (Include or have sent letters of recommendation from both your science supervisor and principal. The letters should indicate that your supervisors support your participation in the program and will support your efforts during the academic year)

Send this application & address all correspondence to: Dr. Eugenia Etkina

Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey

Graduate School of Education

10 Seminary Place

New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1183