Pulsar Search Collabortory

Last chance!! We mean it this time! We've managed to squeeze water from a stone, so to speak, to offer PSC training ONE MORE TIME! We can accept only 20 teachers, and 40 students. Training will consist of a 2-day orientation and 4 online sessions for teachers, and a 6-day workshop for teachers and student leaders.
Application is Open!

Teachers from all states are welcome to apply at this time. We are seeking high school science and math teachers particularly teachers of general science, physical science and physics. In 2012 we will also accept applications from middle school teachers who will be teaching 8th grade Earth Science. We especially welcome applications from teachers who teach under-represented students. Teachers selected for the program will be expected form and "coach" a PSC team and to conduct whole-class activities.

The Pulsar Search Collaboratory (PSC) partners the National Radio Astronomy Observatory with West Virginia University to provide students with opportunities to learn 21st Century Skills while conducting world class research in pulsar astronomy. PSC students join an international team of scientists analyzing more than 130 Terabytes of data collected by the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope for the purpose of discovering new pulsars!

01-10-2011. The PSC makes a difference. View the Poster (pdf) presented at the AAS Meeting

01-22-2011. Check out the Public Radio story with astronomer Rachel Rosen!

New Program Components

Teacher Orientation May 25-26, 2012. WVU. Morgantown WV. Teachers will meet PSC scientists and attend Day One of the Capstone Seminar (see below).

Online Sessions TBD May 26- July 8, 2011. Gain expertise with the PSC website and pulsar data analysis through four 1-hour online classes and offline homework.

Summer Workshop for Teachers and Students. July 8-14, 2012. NRAO, Green Bank, WV. Teachers may select 1-2 student leaders to accompany them to the Observatory. We will provide training for 20 science teachers and up to 40 high school student leaders. Work alongside astronomers to learn how to reduce and analyze pulsar data! Undergraduate students will be residential assistants for the students. Teachers will live in separate quarters.

Academic Year Activities. Teachers and student leaders will introduce the PSC to their classes and complete hands-on activities. Students will then be invited to join the PSC. PSC teams will conduct original research by analyzing data from the GBT with the expectation of discovering new pulsars and characterizing changes in previously-known pulsars.

Annual PSC Capstone Seminar at WVU. May, 2013. Student Teams will present their research, hear talks by professional astronomers, tour the STEM colleges within the University and participate in fun STEM related activities at a PSC Seminar! In 2013, there may be some costs associated with Capstone.

Stipends ($1000.00), room and board for teachers; room and board for students at program activities. Six hours of Graduate Credit available for teachers via WVU! 3 hours Undergraduate credit available to students in spring 2013 (some restrictions apply)!!

2012 Online Application

What's a Pulsar Anyway? (WVU Pulsar Page)

Questions? Contact Sue Ann Heatherly--sheather@nrao.edu
PSC student Lucas Bolyard at White House Star Party
Pulsar Scientist Maura McLaughlin with PSC teachers
The Pulsar Search Collaboratory is a Comprehensive ITEST project funded by the National Science Foundation.
Modified on Tuesday, 24-Jan-2012 17:49:42 EST