Authentic research experiences with Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network

Rachel Freed – UNC Chapel Hill

Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) and the Institute for Student Astronomical Research in partnership with Occidental College and the University Puerto Rico Rio Píedras, are developing introductory astronomy research programs for undergraduate students in both English and Spanish. The programs are aimed at reaching traditionally underrepresented students and underserved communities. The programs utilize the LCO telescopes to allow students to collect their own, original data. Students then analyze their data and write up their results for publication in a peer-reviewed journal, generally in the Journal of Double Star Observations. A major focus of the programs is teaching students about the nature of scientific research, as well as how to read and write scientific papers and to effectively communicate their research through presentations. The programs are being piloted at the University Puerto Rico Rio Píedras in Puerto Rico and Occidental College in California, through an award from the NSF PAARE program. In the future we aim to expand this to offer more research topics and make the course available to more universities and colleges.

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Authentic research experiences with Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network