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Reaching Out From The Mountaintop

Reaching Out From The Mountaintop. “A WIYN-WIN Initiative ”. Doug Isbell PAEO Manager. multiplier effect. NOAO Who Are We?. NSF Funded, Founded in 1982 KPNO, CTIO, Gemini PAEO: EO, PO, and Public Information. Work Closely with STScI, JPL, UA, and more . . . Including WIYN.

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Reaching Out From The Mountaintop

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  1. Reaching Out From The Mountaintop “A WIYN-WIN Initiative” Doug Isbell PAEO Manager

  2. multiplier effect NOAOWho Are We? • NSF Funded, Founded in 1982 • KPNO, CTIO, Gemini • PAEO: EO, PO, and Public Information • Work Closely with STScI, JPL, UA,and more . . . Including WIYN

  3. Why Do Outreach? Astronomy = Unique Opportunity + Fundamental Responsibility • Most basic output is improved knowledge • NOT doing the job if you stop short of trying to tell story

  4. Why Do Outreach? Flipside • Precarious decrease in visibility vs. spin-off sciences • Loss of interest from public and policy makers • “Working in a vacuum ” – not much fun and don’t live very long

  5. NSF invests in activities that integrate research and education, and that develop reward systems that support teaching, mentoring and outreach.  Effective integration of research and education at all levels infuses learning with the excitement of discovery.  Joining together research and education also assures that the findings and methods of research are quickly and effectively communicated in a broader context and to a larger audience. NSF Core Strategy #2 Integrating Research & Education

  6. Public Funding • Taxpayers deserve a visible ROI • Again, a basic element of daily operations • Astronomer performance plans • Hope it is respected in university hiring and promotion process

  7. Pride & Excitement • Because we want to • “ . . . a common picture of reality . . .” • Are you in the wrong business?!?

  8. Outreach Definition Educational K-12, college, grad, teachers, Standards-based, formal classrooms, TLRBSE, Project ASTRO, RET, REU Public Outreach Visitor center, public programs, telescope viewing Public Information E-mails, letters, phone calls, speaker requests Media Print, television, home pages, webcasting . . .

  9. What Have You Done? • Educational Outreach & WIYN 3.5 Meter • Used by approximately 30 grad students/yr • Summer 2001 undergradshelped with Tip/Tilt hardware,guide star software • Other undergrad effortslike Bailyn classroom teaching

  10. What Have You Done? • TLRBSE expanding to 3.5 meter in December (Gallagher & Jacoby), enable search of more distant galaxies • Local Tucson H.S. studentintern (observing helpto Mac/PC docs)

  11. WIYN 0.9 Meter • Opened March 1960, First major KPNO telescope • Sister opened in 1966

  12. WIYN 0.9 Meter • Combined best of both in 1990to clear WIYN space • New vents & observer amenities • Renowned for Wide Field of View(5x Moon) & other “pretty pictures”

  13. Educational Outreach & WIYN 0.9 meter • Used for Research Based Science Education (RBSE) since 1997 • More than 100 novae identified in Local Group • Trained nearly 60 teachers • Very popular with educators & media

  14. TLRBSE 5yrs - $1.8 million WIYN 0.9 meter & The Future • Each teachers mentors 3 others + Distance Learning • Educational outreach a fundamental rationale for WIYN acquisition • Vibrant place for undergrad“mistakes” = learning • Personal favorite of many astronomers • “Gotta Wear Shades”

  15. Public Outreach & Media • KP Visitor Center exhibit • Walking tour – new audio kiosk • News & Imagery

  16. Brainstorming • What is unique about WIYN? What does it do better than anyone else? • Best seeing and most modern on Kitt Peak • Remote observing capability • On-site KPNO infrastructure • What is the valued-added for involving WIYN in any outreach effort?

  17. How to Pay for New Outreach Initiatives • NSF: • Astronomy & Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships – includes EO requirement • MPS internships for Public Science Education – internships for teachers • Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) – offer one position for WIYN-related science and outreach • University programs adapted for WIYN • Private fundraising

  18. What Else Could WIYN Do? • Participate in TLRBSE • “Clone” the ASTRO program or send partners (paid) to us • Help WIYN become part of KP tours • Improve WIYN presence in the KPVC exhibits – like CCD primer • Sponsor a “WIYN” night or similar on the mountain

  19. What Else Could WIYN Do? • Articles or research reports in alumni magazines • Provide more news & images to us and your news offices – textbooks • AAS news & exhibit area • Webcasting & improved web presentation

  20. There is much going on and many different ways to reach people Best Part about astronomy – fresh “eyes” always coming along

  21. Always more to learn, and always a fresh chance to get inspired to do some new outreach and touch some new minds.

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