This Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Mathematical and Physical Sciences (CFDA 47.049) program will fund the "USA SKY PARTNERS: EXPANDING ACCESS TO AUTHENTIC RESEARCH EXPERIENCES FOR UNDERGRADUATES" program managed by the Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO). The $449,190 award over three years (Sep 2024 - Aug 2027) will provide astronomy research opportunities for undergraduate students, particularly those from underrepresented groups and institutions without access to professional astronomical facilities.
The program delivers curriculum materials, faculty training and mentoring, and access to LCO's global robotic telescope network. It focuses on building research capacity and fostering a diverse, inclusive environment for astronomy education and research. Key program components include an 8-week Astronomy Research Seminar on topics like double star astrometry, open-source curriculum in English and Spanish, and a framework for developing partnerships between participating institutions to share resources and best practices.
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