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Teacher Opportunities

At the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), we recognize and highly value the contributions of educators, and we strive to actively involve them in our work. On this page, you will nd a list of opportunities to engage with our projects. If you are interested in participating, simply click on the name of the program. You will be redirected to a Google form where you can access additional details and indicate your interest in joining. 

tech

Figure 1: A selection of radio frequency devices. 

Opportunities

To learn more about these components please click on the title.

SpectrumX Lesson Piloting- SpectrumX an NSF Innovation Center sponsored a teacher-training program to expand the range of lessons available on the radio frequency portion of the spectrum. Ten talented educators from across the country participated in a rigorous two-week workshop where they learned about the many uses of radio frequencies. As a result, each teacher created high-quality lessons that are now available for you to use in your classroom. There are 18 peer-reviewed, inquiry-based lessons designed for middle and high school students, all ready for you to incorporate into your teaching. If you choose to use one of these lessons, you will receive all the materials needed for instruction. Additionally, you will receive a $50 stipend for providing feedback once the lesson is completed. This is a great opportunity to enhance your curriculum with engaging, hands-on lessons while contributing to the improvement of educational resources. The lesson plans and student materials are available in English and Spanish.

Citizen Science Project - The radio frequency (RF) portion of the electromagnetic spectrum plays a crucial role in many areas of our daily lives, including wireless communication, weather forecasting, wildlife tracking, and radio astronomy. However, as new technologies continue to emerge, the RF spectrum is becoming increasingly crowded. This project offers you a unique opportunity to contribute to important scientific research on how radio frequencies are being used across the country. By participating, you will receive an RTL-SDR dongle, a small device that can detect radio waves in your local area. Using open-source software, you can visualize the data and upload it to our research database. This project is ideal for classrooms, after-school clubs, or as an enrichment activity for high-achieving students. It is a great way to get involved in hands-on science and contribute to real-world research while learning about radio frequencies and their impact on technology and society.

Star Formation Poster Contest - This project is currently awaiting funding approval but has been submitted for consideration. The goal of sharing it now is to generate a list of interested individuals, which will help speed up the process once funding is secured. Teachers who are selected will conduct a two- to three-day lesson plan on star formation, based on the latest research from the observatory. The lesson’s summative assessment will be a poster, and each teacher and their students will choose the top three posters to be submitted to a nationwide competition. Prizes will be awarded to the top three winners of the national contest, with cash prizes for first, second, and third place. The first-place winner’s poster will also be printed and distributed at an astronomy conference. This opportunity is open to teachers at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. A total of nine student winners will be selected—three from each educational level. 

Content-Based Professional Development - This opportunity is designed for teachers who want to expand their knowledge but may not have the time or resources to take traditional college courses. We have worked with experts to create short, 10 to 20-hour courses covering various topics related to radio frequencies. These self-paced, online courses are completely free and available to take on your own schedule. By completing these courses, you will gain a deeper understanding of subjects like physics, engineering, radio astronomy, and the legal aspects of spectrum management. 

 

If you have any questions or need more information about this program, please click the button below. 

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