Gravitational Wave Outreach:

Michelle B. LarsonOctober 21, 2004

Communicating the gist without the geodesic

CGWP Outreach Programs . . .

Outreach activities at the Center for Gravitational Wave Physics aim to inspire interest in science, enhance traditional education efforts, and facilitate cross-discipline communication.

Inspire Interest in Science

Facilitate Cross-Discipline Communication

Enhance Traditional Education Efforts

in Pennsylvania and across the US

CGWP Outreach Programs . . .

Outreach activities at the Center for Gravitational Wave Physics aim to inspire interest in science, enhance traditional education efforts, and facilitate cross-discipline communication.

• FRONTIERS

• HORIZONS

• Hands-On Activities

• Nuggets/Highlights

Inspiration . . .

“I’m asking you today to devote some significant part of your life to figuring out how to share your love of science with the rest of us.

And while you're explaining it, remember that dazzling us with jargon might make us sit in awe of your work, but it won't make us love it. Tell us frankly how you got there. If you got there by many twists and turns and blind alleys, don't leave that out. We love a detective story. If you enjoyed the adventure of getting there, so will we.  

Most scientists do leave that out. By the time we hear about their great discoveries, a lot of the doubt is gone. The mistakes and wrong turns are left out . . . and it doesn’t sound like a human thing they’ve done. It separates us from the process.

Whatever you do, help us love science the way you do.”

Alan Alda's Commencement speech to the Caltech class of 2002 Finding Feynman (http://pr.caltech.edu/commencement/02/alda.html)

FRONTIERS . . .

Sharing the science of tomorrow with the youth of today

• Based on a program developed at MSGC for rural schools

• Classroom Presentations (grades 8 - 12)

• PSU undergraduate presenters (all majors)

• Designed to inspire interest in science

• Inherent Challenges

FRONTIERS . . .

Probing the Stellar Graveyard

The current FRONTIERS’ talk explores the life-cycle of stars and the remnantsthey leave behind: black holes, neutron stars and white dwarfs. Students hearhow the emerging field of gravitational wave astronomy will reveal the secrets of the graveyard.

• Science/Astronomy Intro

• Engineering/Technology Finish

• Change of pace

• Materials for the teacher!

FRONTIERS . . .Life Cycles

FRONTIERS . . .Life Cycles

FRONTIERS . . . Gravitational Wave Astronomy

HORIZONS . . .

Involving scientists in community outreach, near and far

• Research scientists involved in community outreach

• Custom match between scientist’s interests and community needs

• Respectful of scientist’s time

• Designed to inspire interest in science and enhance traditional education efforts

HORIZONS . . .

Imagining the Future: Gravitational Wave Astronomy

Dr. Sukanta Bose is leading a research project with a high school student from Odessa, Washington and another from State College, Pennsylvania.

• Face-to-face and remote collaboration • Table-top interferometer• Cosmological research project • Space-Day

presentation

“Dear Michelle,I thank you for taking the time and effort to allow Megan (my student) the possibility of working with your researchteam. She recently came back from Pullman after visiting Dr. Sukanta and had a marvelous visit. He gave her a lot of resources and explained the basic premise of the project. She is very excited! Thanks!” - Jeff Wehr, Odessa Science Department

“This opportunity will give me the chance to interact with students and professors from across the country who share a similar interest and love for science. These days, science is very much a collaborative effort. I can think of nothing more enriching than to participate in a research group composed of individuals with different backgrounds, learning techniques, and talents.” - State College High School student

Hands-On Activities . . .

• BOREALIS Balloon Model

• Building A Pocket Sundial

• Coronal Weather Report

• Cosmic Ray Air Shower Icebreaker Puzzle

• Do You See What I See: Astronomical Imaging • GPS1: Follow Me If You Can

• GPS2: Catch Me If You Can

• Gravitational Wave Data/Template Icebreaker Activity • Lifting Balloon Payloads

• Reconstructing Cosmic Ray Showers

• Solar X-ray/White Light Icebreaker Activity

• Solar Sequence Puzzle

• Understanding Galactic Coordinates: A 3D Model

• X-ray Candles: Solar Flares on Your Birthday

• Yohkoh Satellite Model

Hands-On Activities . . .

Hands-On Activities . . .

Hands-On Activities . . .

http://cse.ssl.berkeley.edu/hessi_epo/html/Flares/XrayCandles.html

X-ray Candles: Solar Flares on Your Birthday

Hands-On Activities . . .

Hands-On Activities . . .

http://cgwp.gravity.psu.edu/outreach/activities/

This activity encourages people to work together in groups to match up gravitational wave templates with mock data streams that represent signals from astrophysical systems.

Gravitational Wave Icebreaker ActivityMichelle Larson, Shane Larson, Louis Rubbo and Kristina Zaleski

Future version will be designed to enhance traditional educational activities.

Hands-On Activities . . .

http://cgwp.gravity.psu.edu/outreach/activities/

Hands-On Activities . . .

http://cgwp.gravity.psu.edu/outreach/activities/

Hands-On Activities . . .

“I was going to tell mymom I was sick todaybecause I didn’t want to come. I’m glad I didn’t say that, becausethis was fun.”

Research Science Outreach . . .

• To facilitate cross-discipline communication

• To encourage and support young scientists (and established researchers) to develop communication skills, and adopt outreach as part of their professional culture.

• HORIZONS

• Research Nuggets

Nuggets/Highlights . . .

Research Science Highlights

• One page stories about published research results

• Target audience is public, students, and scientists not necessarily in the same discipline.

• Authors are involved in final product

• Designed to facilitate cross-discipline collaboration

• On display at the CGWP and available on-line

Nuggets/Highlights . . .

Nuggets/Highlights . . .

Nuggets/Highlights . . .

Inspiration . . . still

“I’m assuming you’re here because you love science, and I’m assuming you’ve learned a great deal about how to do science. I’m asking you today to devote some significant part of your life to figuring out how to share your love of science with the rest of us.

Whatever you do, help us love science the way you do. Like the young man so head over heels about his sweetheart he can’t stop talking about her, like the young woman so in love with her young man she wants everyone to know how wonderful he is . . . show us pictures, tell us stories, make us crave to meet your beloved. ”

Alan Alda's Commencement speech to the Caltech class of 2002 Finding Feynman (http://pr.caltech.edu/commencement/02/alda.html)