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