Robotic Telescope Labs for Survey-Level Undergraduates

TL;DR

This paper discusses the development and expansion of a survey-level astronomy curriculum using a network of robotic telescopes to enhance undergraduate STEM education and research skills nationwide.

Contribution

It introduces a scalable, automated telescope-based curriculum that has been adopted by multiple institutions and is expanding with NSF funding.

Findings

Curriculum adopted by ~24 institutions.

Effective online and in-person implementation.

Secured $1.85M NSF funding for expansion.

Abstract

For the past dozen years, UNC-Chapel Hill has been developing a unique, survey-level astronomy curriculum, primarily for undergraduate students, with the goal of significantly boosting STEM enrollments on a national scale, as well as boosting students' technical and research skills. Called "Our Place In Space!", or OPIS!, this curriculum leverages "Skynet" - a global network of ~2 dozen, fully automated, or robotic, professional-grade telescopes that we have deployed at some of the world's best observing sites. The curriculum has now been adopted by ~2 dozen institutions, and we have just received $1.85M from NSF's IUSE program to expand it nationwide, with funding for participating instructors. The curriculum works equally well online as in person.