| NSF Org: |
AST Division Of Astronomical Sciences |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | January 26, 2021 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | March 13, 2024 |
| Award Number: | 2051007 |
| Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Juan Madrid
jmadrid@nsf.gov (703)292-7297 AST Division Of Astronomical Sciences MPS Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences |
| Start Date: | March 1, 2021 |
| End Date: | August 31, 2024 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $491,809.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $540,363.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
FY 2024 = $48,554.00 |
| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
339 BERNARDO AVE STE 200 MOUNTAIN VIEW CA US 94043-5232 (650)961-6633 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
189 Bernardo Ave. Mountain View CA US 94043-5203 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): | SPECIAL PROGRAMS IN ASTRONOMY |
| Primary Program Source: |
01002122DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT |
| Program Reference Code(s): |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.049 |
ABSTRACT
This project is a renewal of a REU Site at the SETI Institute (SI) with a focus on astronomy and planetary science, with a connecting theme of astrobiology. Ten student participants per year will be paired with SI scientists to conduct research at both SI and at the nearby NASA Ames Research Center. The undergraduate students will perform detailed research into a variety of topics, including exoplanets, asteroids, comet and meteors, Mars surface science, Saturn?s rings, the outer Solar system, and astrobiology. In addition, all participants will spend a week learning about radio astronomy at the Allen Telescope Array, studying an extremophile research site at nearby Lassen Volcanic National Park, and studying habitability and life detection at coastal field sites.
By offering high-quality research experiences to students at a critical stage of undergraduate education, the REU Site will contribute to increasing the nationwide pool of scientists and engineers. Participants will develop the research methods and analytical skills (mathematical, computational, and logical) necessary to process data, understand primary research, and to remain current with new developments in the field. The REU Site also has an active and highly developed plan to recruit underrepresented minorities into its program, which will expand STEM training opportunities to these groups.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH
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PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
During this summer internship, students participate in 5 major components: 1. SETI Institute (SI) scientists mentor students as they conduct individual research projects. 2. The SI scientists present a coordinated set of presentations that introduce the REU students to the breadth of astronomy research, and particularly to the research we do here at SI. Students learn about graduate opportunities in astrobiology, planetary science, and other fields. 3. Student interns participate in the weekly astrobiology "journal club" discussion to learn literature research skills and practice presentation and public speaking skills. 4. Students participate in educational, social and cultural activities via research-related field trips. These trips provide an opportunity for student bonding, and interaction in a setting outside the research environment. The entire REU group spends a week learning about radio astronomy at the Allen Telescope Array, and studying an extremophile research site at nearby Lassen Volcanic National Park. Other local field trips are also included. 5. During the final week, students present their research results to both SI scientists and to the public via SI's weekly public colloquium series, and some students present subsequently at professional scientific conferences or co-author journal articles.
13 students participated in the 2021 summer REU program, 15 in the 2022 program, 13 in the 2023 program, and 11 in the 2024 program. In each year, the students took part in a 10-week summer internship in which they participated in a research project, field trips, professional development workshops, and presented the results of their work at the end of the summer. All students successfully completed the program and some presented their results at professional conferences (photos have been uploaded with this report). Other students took part in highly specialized professional workshops or were co-authors on refereed journal articles. The Cal-Bridge students also presented their projects at a research symposium at Cal Poly Pomona. Although our students sometimes publish peer-reviewed papers, our program emphasizes conference attendance as the most commonly effective and accessible means to cement the benefits of the summer research experience on the student's career.
Last Modified: 12/16/2024
Modified by: Matthew S Tiscareno
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