Broadening Participation Programs
Through the Office of Diversity & Inclusion, the NRAO creates opportunities for historically and currently underrepresented students in STEM to fully participate in radio astronomy and the fields that support Observatory operations.
ODI takes a multi-faceted approach– working with institutions and individuals to have deep and sweeping impacts. Visit each linked page for further information, including how to become involved in these projects.
Ham Radio - Exploring the Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS)” is an innovative project that educates learners about the electromagnetic spectrum through the excitement of amateur (ham) radio. This is an open source curriculum which provides hands-on activities to deepen subject knowledge, and support learner attainment of Technician and General Class FCC Amateur Radio Licenses.
LSAMP - NRAO is a partner in the Virginia-North Carolina Alliance for Minority Participation; offering STEM skills training to undergraduate students from the Alliance partner institutions.
NAC - Through the NAC program, exceptional undergraduate students, who may have been overlooked through traditional STEM pipelines, participate in research opportunities with financial, mentoring, and peer support.
NINE - In the NINE program, graduate students, faculty, or staff affiliated with a university or a research facility, receive training to create a hub that reaches younger learners to educate them, and gets them enthused about Radio Astronomy and other STEM areas.
RADIAL - Through partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Minority-serving Institutions (MSIs) and Primarily White Universities (PWI) universities, ODI works towards building structural equity, facilitating improved k-12 educational materials, data access, and broadening participation in STEM majors.
The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)- Chile program offers underrepresented students the opportunity to conduct research in radio astronomy alongside NRAO and ALMA scientists at the Joint ALMA Observatory. The program aims to foster long-term mentor-mentee relationships that can lead to advanced academic degrees and professional opportunities for the students.
Spectrum – This project aims to increase awareness and understanding of the radio frequency portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. There are activities for every level including a citizen science project, middle and high school curriculum, undergraduate curriculum, and digital badges.