Outreach Programs & Events

Research Experiences for Undergraduates

NRAO offers undergraduate and graduate students the chance to participate in our Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience working alongside NRAO scientists and engineers!

Learning Labs

A Learning Lab is an immersive educational experience designed to deepen student understanding through a combination of engaging content and hands-on activities. The session begins with a brief introduction to the core topic, using visuals and interactive discussions to spark curiosity. Students then participate in guided, hands-on activities that directly apply the concepts they've just learned, allowing them to explore, experiment, and discover principles in real-time. The lab concludes with a reflective discussion, where students share their findings and connect the activity back to the key concepts, solidifying their understanding through collaborative learning.

• For Grades: K-12
• Group Size: Groups of 10 or more, unless otherwise noted
• Location: We visit you or you visit us!
• Duration: Approximately 60 minutes

African American Teaching Fellows STEAM ED Think Tank (AATF)

The mission of African American Teaching Fellows (AATF) is to recruit, support, develop, and retain a cadre of African American teachers to serve the schools in Charlottesville City and Albemarle County, Virginia, where the diversity of the instructional staff is significantly lower compared to the student population. NRAO and AATF began a partnership in 2018 to develop science-based, interdisciplinary-intended lessons created by teachers, for teachers, to bring radio astronomy into the classroom. Due to COVID-19, AATF fellows have been unable to test the resulting lessons in the classroom; however, we are optimistic that this will be possible by June 2023. In the meantime, we welcome any and all K-12 teachers who would be interested in using these activities with their students.

• Lessons and Corresponding Teacher Curriculum Guides

Radio Astronomy and Physics Day Camp in New Mexico (RAP-NM)

RAP-NM will endeavor to inspire and enrich rising 9th graders by providing a seven-day immersive science inquiry experience. Through simulated research experiences, inspirational talks from working scientists and mentors, small and whole group interactive investigations, and enrichment activities RAP-NM will provide the rising 9th grader with a look into the scientific world of research and discovery. (The camps is available only for NM residents.)

• RAP 2019 Flyer
• RAP 2019 Application
• RAP 2019 - Teach Recommendation Form #1
• RAP 2019 - Teach Recommendation Form #2

Astronomy in Chile Educator Ambassadors Program (ACEAP)

The ACEAP is an AUI-led National Science Foundation (NSF 1439408) funded program that brings experienced astronomy communicators to Chile for a two-week immersion course on the NSF-funded astronomical facilities thriving there. The ACEAP Ambassadors return to the U.S. and are required to share their experiences with diverse audiences via large-scale outreach programs and/or products.

• More Information about ACEAP

Sister Cities and Observatories (SCO)

SCO is a collaboration with the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), and the schools surrounding the Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico and ALMA in San Pedro de Atacama in Chile. This program seeks to reinforce the school curriculum through STEAM activities and encourage cooperation between students and teachers in both countries. A commitment and involvement will be required by students and school teachers to travel, participate in shared research experiences and become ambassadors in their respective local schools.

SPIDER 300A Radio Telescope

Our STEAM Education Team uses the PrimaLuceLab, 3-meter, Spider 300A telescope in our local New Mexico programs for middle and high school students. The Spider 300A was installed in January 2018.

• Featured News Article