Education and Public Outreach

Image Credit: G. Jacoby NOAO/AURA/NSF

 

The Education and Public Outreach (EPO) programs for the LSST are as ambitious as the telescope itself. We intend to actively involve our audience in LSST's mission of mapping the structure of all matter in our extraordinary, dynamic Universe. Using the principles of Backward Design, described in Understanding by Design (Wiggins and McTighe), we have begun to conceptualize our EPO program using a UbD template Download Template). Subscribe to the quarterly LSST E-News to keep up to date.


Audience-as broad as possible!

 

  • Public
  • Students and Teachers
  • Formal/Informal Venues
  • Amateur Astronomers

 

 

Goals of the Program

 

Three Main Threads

  1. Visualization of LSST observations in science centers and planetaria across the nation. The use of LSST data in an informal museum or science center setting represents an ideal opportunity to expose large numbers of people to the magnificence of the vast LSST data set. The large amount of data mapping the universe and opening of the time-domain will require new approaches to scientific visualization and display.
    We are working with the following institutions:

  2. Utilization of real scientific data in formal education settings. LSST data can become a key part of projects emphasizing student-centered research in middle and high school classrooms. The LSST education program will design and develop a small number of student research projects in conjunction with a teacher professional development program. Materials for undergraduate classes are also planned. These programs will make use of data mining and Internet-based delivery.
    We're building on the following programs:
  3. Active engagement by citizen scientists in the exploration and discovery of the cosmos. We will develop methods for engaging the public so anyone with a web browser can effectively explore aspects of the LSST sky that interest and impact the public. We will work with the IT industry on enhanced visualization involving dynamic graphics overlays from metadata and provide tools for public query of the LSST database. The LSST outreach efforts will make use of the powerful technology of the future, facilitating the investigation and appreciation of the universe by everyone.
    We are building on lessons learned and opportunities provided by these Astronomy programs: And we continue to be informed by the citizen science program at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

     

    Partners: Institutions & Programs Involved in EPO

    The LSST EPO efforts are led by Suzanne Jacoby in the LSST Corporate Headquarters, Tucson, AZ. Various individuals and organizations participate, bringing proven strengths and experience to the project.