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The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation
operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
Education and Public Outreach (EPO)
NSF AUI/NRAO Management Review
29/30 January 2002
Debra Shepherd, Staff Scientist
NRAO – Bringing Science Discovery
to Teachers, Students, & the Public.
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation
operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
EPO Strategic Plan
Primary goal is to support the development of a scientifically and technically literate society.
To accomplish this, NRAO is creating a comprehensive outreach program in which:
Information about radio astronomy is made available to the public through the WWW and news media.
NRAO sites are utilized as sites for visitor/education centers.
Educational programs are developed in partnership with other institutions.
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation
operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
Organization and Management
NRAO has had strong site-based EPO programs, we are in transition to a unified coordinated program with :
Common goals & strategies.
Work breakdown structure & budget for 2002.
EPO Coordinator - new position in Charlottesville.
To ensure the program meets public needs with available resources, NRAO convened a panel of outside advisors with expertise in education & science museum programs.
Workshop held in Green Bank, WV on November 12, 2001.
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation
operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
Budget and People
Public Information Officers: D. Finley, C. Blue; Education Center Directors: R. Harrison, S. Heatherly; GB Business Mgr: C. Rose; GB tour guides: 3 part time; Artist: P. Smiley; Technical Support: Scientists, engineers, technicians; Planned: Central Administrator, Web Designer, VLA Tour Guide
2002 NSF Budget Mission RequirementsFTEs Total ($k) FTEs Total ($k)
Mgt & Admin 2.1 196.86 3.1 262.02Community Relations 1.1 45.35 1.1 45.35Media Relations 1.1 93.91 1.1 97.11GBT Outreach 1.7 87.14 2.7 137.30VLA/VLBA Outreach 1.2 111.46 2.2 163.22Carryover 320.00 320.00Totals: 7.2 854.72 10.2 1025.00
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation
operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
Media &Public Outreach
“Ancient Black Hole Speeds Through Sun’s Galactic Neighborhood, Devouring Companion”
Press Releases:
11 in 1998
12 in 1999
17 in 2000
21 in 2001
“Students use VLA to make Startling Brown-Dwarf Discovery”
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation
operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
Programs for Teachers & Students Student summer research projects: Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) & Graduate summer internships: since 1960 more than 800 students have participated in summer research at NRAO. In 2001 NRAO sponsored 15 REU students and 12 summer graduate students.
Graduate students: since 1960, more than 450 students have completed their PhD research using data from NRAO telescopes. Since 1987 ~60 graduate students have spent 1-2 years working with an NRAO advisor on their thesis project involving NRAO telescopes.
Training for college teachers: Chautauqua short courses: since 1988 more than 470 teachers have participated.
Training for K-12 teachers: (RARECATS) and Research Experience for Teachers (RET): since 1987 more than 800 teachers have participated in this summer research program.
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation
operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
Programs for Teachers & Students - GBT
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), 3-6/yr
Graduate interns, 1-2/yr
Research Experience for Teachers (RET), 2-5/yr
Chautauqua short courses for College Teachers: Radio Astronomy: 25/yr; How to Teach Astro 100: 25/yr.
Green Bank 40 ft Educational Telescope
RARECATS: summer teacher inst. ~40 new/40 returning teachers/yr.
Science fair: 3-6 volunteers/yr
Develop grade-specific lesson plans for the web (to precede GBT
field trips).
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation
operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
Programs for Teachers & Students – VLA/VLBA
Research Exp. for Undergrads (REU), ~6/yr
Graduate interns, ~6/yr
Chautauqua short course for College Teachers, 6 - 9 participants/yr.
Science Fairs & Science Olympiad, 10 - 20 volunteers/yr
Research Exp. for Teachers (RET), starts 2002.
Summer Students
at the VLA
Build consortium of local schools to coordinate funding & support for science/astronomy projects, starts April 2002.
NSF postdocs: local school contacts & build radio image gallery.
Develop grade-specific lesson plans (to precede VLA tours).
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation
operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
Informal Education GBT Astronomy Education Center > 32,000 visitors/yr, daily summer tours, ~75 school/scout group visits/yr, completion by end of 2002.
VLA Astronomy Education Center > 22,000 visitors/yr, > 60 VLA tours/yr, - upgrade completion by fall 2002.
- Open house program to define community interest, 1500 visitors in January
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation
operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
The VLA Open house Jan 2002 – 1500 people
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation
operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
User & EPO Workshop Recommendations:
Hire a full-time EPO Coordinator with extensive experience in science communications, and management .
Develop a media communication policy.
Redesign & publicize a web presence that provides information & activities of interest to the news media, public, & classrooms.
Update the VLA visitor center exhibits & staff center full time.
Develop an NRAO scientific staff EPO involvement plan.
Develop partnerships with science museums and other institutions.
Ensure that visitors to NRAO receive a high quality experience.
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation
operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
A comprehensive program status:
EPO Coordinator: interviewing candidates.
Marketing strategy drafted promoting NRAO as single entity, with several facilities, possible slogan:
NRAO – Revealing the Invisible Universe
Media outreach policy w/ crisis & media guidelines drafted.
Obtained approval to hire a web manager, job description written.
Upgrading displays at VLA site using “catch-the-wave” concepts and more interactive exhibits.
NRAO staff involvement plan in EPO being drafted – discussions begun Space Science Inst. CO.
Exploring prototype partnership with Clay Center Sci. Museum, WV