REU Site: The Keck Northeast Astronomy Consortium

Wesleyan University, Middletown CT

Investigators

Abstract

REU SITE: The Keck Northeast Astronomy Consortium ABSTRACT AST 0647325 The PI will head the Research Experience for Undergraduates site conducted by the Keck Northeast Astronomy Consortium (KNAC). The site has three main components: (1) A 10-week summer research opportunity for 12 students per year to work at a KNAC institution, (2) A fall Student Symposium attended by KNAC faculty and about 80 students, where each KNAC supported student gives a 10-minute research talk, as well as other students from their institutions, and guests. There is also a poster paper session for students who cannot give talks due to time constraints, (3) Publication of the Proceedings of the Undergraduate Research Symposium, for which each presenting student will contribute a four-page research paper. To date, approximately half of KNAC students go on to graduate school and most are pursuing science-oriented careers. KNAC serves as a model for other small college astronomy departments of how a regional consortium can successfully address issues of size. The site is co-funded by the Department of Defense in partnership with the NSF REU program.