Detecting Brown Dwarfs in Interacting Cataclysmic Binaries

Work Summary Report
October 2005

Howard Chun ran two in-service workshops on the last two Wednesdays of October for science teachers in his school district: one on classroom infrared activities, and the other on multi-wavelength (including infrared) astronomy research in the science classroom. The teachers really enjoyed Michelle's IR video. The teachers went away with new ideas for activities and science fair projects in their physical science, biology, and chemistry classes. Mr. Chun had ten teachers attending each workshop.

Mr. Chun gave a one hour lecture on the Spitzer Space telescope, the teacher researcher program, and our group's research to a group of approximately 50 amateur astronomers at the Seagrave Memorial Observatory in Scituate, RI. It was a different experience talking to a knowledgeable and informed audience. He was peppered with questions throughout the lecture. The Spitzer DVD was very useful. He showed the IR video, the simulated launch, and the pretty visible to IR pictures. They were also quite interested in how he used IR in the classroom and with my students.

Linda Stefaniak finished a long day of four back to back workshops at the NJ Science Teacher's Convention during the first week of October. She started with multiple wavelength astronomy and finished with infrared. Both workshops were well attended and the video with Dr. Thaller explaining IR was a huge hit. Everyone wanted a copy. Ms. Stefaniak took digital images of some of the activities for possible use as illustrations for the group's EPO poster. There was also an astronomy teacher attending the IR workshop who was extremely interested in knowing how to become one of the next generation Spitzer teachers.

Beth Thomas presented a session at the state educator's convention (MEA) and had about 20 people attend. She also had a friend take a lot of photos at her state convention that could also be used on the educational outreach poster.