JINA Outreach: Bringing the Science of the Stars to Classrooms and to the Community

1. JINA Outreach:Bringing the Science of the Stars to Classrooms and to the Community

2. Member InstitutionsMichigan State UniversityUniversity of ChicagoUniversity of Notre Dame

3. Mission and Vision • To contribute to K-12 science education • To encourage future nuclear astrophysicists • To enhance diversity in the field

4. Summer of Science 2007 PIXE-PAN (Proton-Induced X-ray Emissions – Physics of Atomic Nuclei) JUNE 18-29 • 5 high school teachers from Indiana and Michigan (2M / 3F) • 15 high school students from Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan (7M / 8F) This program introduces teachers and students to the fundamentals of the extremely small domain of atomic nuclei and its connection to the extremely large domain of astrophysics and cosmology. PIXE-PAN is sponsored by JINA, ISNAP, and the University Of Notre Dame. PIXE-PAN 2008 June 16-27

5. Summer of Science 2007 PAN (Physics of Atomic Nuclei) at MSU JULY 23-AUG 3 This program introduces teachers and students to the fundamentals of astrophysics, cosmology, and nuclear science.PAN is sponsored by JINA and the NSCL. PAN 2008 July 14-25

6. Summer of Science 2007 SENSING OUR WORLD JULY 16-20 • 19 middle school students from throughout St. Joseph County, as well as from Michigan and North Carolina (12M / 7F) • This week-long, all-day summer camp about physical science, materials, physics, and sensors is so popular that there are already two applicants for the 2008 program. Sensing Our World is possible thanks to JINA, ISNAP, the Department of Physics, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Dr. H. Gordon Berry (Siemens), Kaneb Center for Teaching & Learning, Freimann Life Sciences Center, ND Radiation Lab, QuarkNet Center, and the University Of Notre Dame. Coming Summer 2008 Sensing Our World in Color

7. JINA STAR(Stellar Aptitude Resources) Games:On-Line Interactives in Nuclear Astrophysics The ten part series will begin with three primers – introductions to astronomy, astrophysics and nuclear physics and then move through the subject matter, ending with the future of nuclear astrophysics. First there is a narrative, then a ‘drag and drop’ section where players create reactions, and last there is a quiz. Seven Games are already on line!

8. Successes • Classroom Materials Mini-Grants – By providing stellar classroom materials, we enhance the science curriculum of K-12 classrooms at every level.

9. From ART to SCIENCE Special needs and after-school programs are invited to join us in igniting stellar imaginations. We also offer a traveling exhibit of the students' artworks.

10. “The city is dark and sometimes black in the evening. Sometimes you can see the moon and stars and clouds and a cat.” By: Kenyon (age 5), Tokesha (age 5) & Lexis (age 5) YOUTH IN NEED, St. Louis, MO “Dark City with Black Cat”

11. “Sometimes in the morning when I come to school, I can see the sun and the North Star. The North Star is the brightest star and never moves. Sailors ask him for directions.” “Sun and North Star”Brandenisha (age 5) & Ebony (age 4)YOUTH IN NEED, St. Louis, MO

12. Who knows how this experience - - - making a connection between art and science - - - may affect the children? Perhaps we are encouraging (in some small way) some of the children to pursue a life-long interest in Science (or ART), with our efforts. I always think of my interactions with children in those terms - - - will something I do, help a child realize a passion in life? - participating teacher “A Giant Star” by Kenyon (5) From ART to SCIENCE: A JINA Outreach Project “Stars are very big and bright, but you cannot see them when it is raining outside.” The Joint Institute for Nuclear Astrophysics

13. www.JINAweb.org