STEM Teacher and Researcher (STAR) Program

STEM Teacher and Researcher (STAR) Program

Funder: California State University's STEM Teacher and Researcher (STAR) program, hosted at SETI Institute

Geographic Scope: California (Silicon Valley area)

Program Description: A summer research program for aspiring and early career science teachers. Participants conduct authentic research while learning to translate research experience into classroom practice.

Eligibility: Aspiring and early career K-12 STEM teachers

Location: SETI Institute or nearby NASA Ames Research Center

Research Areas:

Biochemistry and the Origin and Evolution of Life on Earth

- Biologically accessible carbon
- UV resistant microbes

Planetary Science and the Search for Life in the Solar System

- Europa geology
- Mars geomorphology and spectroscopy

Astronomy and the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI)

- Meteor showers and their parent comets
- SETI and radio astronomy

Program Activities:

Conduct authentic research projects

Participate in local field trips to Hat Creek Radio Observatory and other scientific sites

Attend seminars, lectures, and discussions on astrobiology and pedagogy

Present research findings at end of summer

Contact: Pamela Harman ([email protected])

Organization: SETI Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID: 94-2951356)