Gravitational-wave Science in the High School Classroom

TL;DR

This paper presents curriculum modifications for high school science classes to teach gravitational-wave science, highlighting its interdisciplinary nature and providing students with authentic insights into astrophysics, data analysis, and detector technology.

Contribution

It introduces a novel educational approach integrating gravitational-wave science into high school curricula, emphasizing interdisciplinary learning and real-world scientific practices.

Findings

Enhanced student understanding of gravitational waves and astrophysics

Increased engagement with cutting-edge scientific technology

Improved comprehension of data analysis and error handling

Abstract

This article describes a set of curriculum modifications designed to integrate gravitational-wave science into a high school physics or astronomy curriculum. Gravitational-wave scientists are on the verge of being able to detect extreme cosmic events, like the merger of two black holes, happening hundreds of millions of light years away. Their work has the potential to propel astronomy into a new era by providing an entirely new means of observing astronomical phenomena. Gravitational-wave science encompasses astrophysics, physics, engineering, and quantum optics. As a result, this curriculum exposes students to the interdisciplinary nature of science. It also provides an authentic context for students to learn about astrophysical sources, data analysis techniques, cutting-edge detector technology, and error analysis.