Rutgers Astrophysics Institute 2009 - 2010

Sponsored by Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory,
 NASA, and Rutgers University
The Department of Physics and Astronomy
The Graduate School of Education
The Office of Continuous Education and Outreach

For whom:  High School Physics Teachers who are leaders of teams of at least 2 students from each participating school.

When:  Four weeks during the summer 2009 (June 29 to July 24) 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 4 weeks in the summer 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, NASA, 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 2009 schools must agree to support the work of the participants by providing them with direct, easy access to a computer.  The school will install VNC and Putty (both freeware) that will allow access to Rutgers University machines that can run LINUX analysis software. Internet connectivity via ethernet LAN with ftp and http ability (ftp and http servers do not run on the LINUX PC) is required. Recommended hardware includes a Pentium-II 266MHz or higher, 64MB+ memory, 40GB free disk space, ethernet 10 or 100Mbps card (Intel etherexpress, many 3COM cards, NEC2000 clones), three button PS/2 mouse, Postscript printer recommended (on printer port or network if lpd capable such as HP jetdirect interfaces). DHCP server assigned IP network configuration preferred but static IP may also be used.
• 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 credits for participation if all the required work is completed. 
• teachers will receive copies of texts and related supplies.
• 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:

• begins with the 20 day Astrophysics Summer Institute (ASI)
• continues during the academic year at each high school,
• includes several meetings of all participants, held at the Rutgers Physics Department,
• and concludes the following spring (May 2010) with a final conference.

Teams begin their work by attending a four week (June 29 to July 24) Astrophysics 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.  The 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 2009-2010 academic year participants will communicate via the Internet with each other and university faculty, 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.

Your students need to have the physics pre-requisites, see list of topics.  If the students will not cover all the topics listed please help the students study the necessary material. The students must also complete a short test and mail the answers to me (see the address below) by June 1st.

Participation in the program is equivalent to 100 hours of professional development hours.

For additional information contact:

James Coleman
email:   jcoleman@physics.rutgers.edu
 

Rutgers Astrophysics Institute

Teacher application form

NAME______________________________________DATE________________

COURSES TAUGHT_______________________________________________

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? At home?
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:

Eugenia Etkina/James Coleman (Rutgers Astrophysics Institute)
Rutgers University
Graduate School of Education
10 Seminary Place,  New Brunswick, NJ 08901