Project Participants: Vivian Hoette1, Luisa Rebull2, Kevin McCarron3, Chelen Johnson4, Connie Gartner5, Jen VanDerMolen5, Lee Gamble6, Lyssa Matsche5, Anna McCartney5, Mark Doering6, Rachel Crump4, Anna Killingstad4, Taylor McCanna4, Sally Caruso4, Anna Laorr4, Kayla Mork4, Emma Steinbergs4, Elizabeth Wigley4 1University of Chicago, Yerkes Observatory; 2SSC/IPAC/CalTech; 3Oak Park and River Forest High School; 4Breck School; 5Wisconsin School for the Deaf;6Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Abstract: Individuals with disabilities - specifically individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) and/or blind and visually-impaired (BVI) - have traditionally been underrepresented in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). The low incidence rate of these populations, coupled with geographic isolation creates limited opportunities for students to work with and receive mentoring by professionals who not only have specialty knowledge in disability areas but also work in STEM fields. For this reason, Yerkes Observatory scientists, along with educators from the Wisconsin School for the Deaf, the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Breck School, and Oak Park and River Forest High School, are engaged in active research with Spitzer Space Telescope scientists within the NITARP project. Our ultimate goals are threefold; to engage DHH and BVI students with equal success as their sighted and hearing peers, to share our techniques in order to make astronomy more accessible to DHH and BVI youth, and to generate a life-long interest which will lead our students to STEM careers. This poster tracks our work with a group of scientists from the Spitzer Science Center during the spring, summer, and fall of 2010. The group coauthored a poster on finding Young Stellar Objects (YSO) in the CG4 Nebula in Puppis. During the project the students, scientists and teachers developed a number of techniques for learning the necessary science as well as doing the required data acquisition and analysis for publishing a poster for the American Astronomical Society. Additionally, collaborations were formed between students with disabilities and their their non-disabled peers to create multi-media projects. Ultimately, the projects created for our work with NITARP will be disseminated through our professional connections in order to ignite a passion for astronomy in all students - with and without disabilities.

A Multi-Sensory Approach to Search for Young Stellar Objects in CG4

Spitzer/NITARP Research Programs: The Spitzer Space Center (SSC) and the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) are working together to provide teachers and students with authentic science experiences using the Spitzer Space Telescope. The main goal is to inspire students to pursue STEM careers, as well as to engage the public in sharing the experience of exploration and discovery. More information available at http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/cosmic_classroom/teacher_research

NITARP Summer ‘10 work group: (should we include names?)

This is where we’ll put A & L’s text on how to access the region files, etc.

Spitzer Background/Chronology:Spitzer mission studies began in the late 1970s. After the success of the IRAS All Sky Survey in 1983, it needed a followup with a telescope type of instrument. Three of Spitzer's intruments were selected in 1984. The Spitzer project was nearly cancelled several times in the early 1990s. Spitzer successfully launched on August 25, 2003. It was officially called Spitzer on December 18, 2003. The cryogenic mission began shortly after it was launched and lasted about six years. The instruments produce heat while in operation. The infrared light that is collected is harder to collect in a warmer environment. So, the instruments are cooled using a cryogenic coolant such as liquid helium. After consuming all of its liquid helium, Spitzer has operated in "warm mode". The "warm mode" part of the mission is expected to last three to four years.

Here is where we’ll put our outreach efforts: IE: Kevin’s presentation @ CAS, WSD’s presentation @ Teen Getaway Weekend … more???

Here is where we’ll talk about DHH/VI kids (Jen, Connie & Lee)

Lee will make a tactile image of this

This is where our iPad will be running our movie/vids. When not at the table, we’ll take the iPad and this pix will be in its place. FYI

Greene, (initials?) (2001). American Scientist