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LIGO Education and OutreachNovember 2008

Dale Ingram

LIGO Hanford Observatory

ingram_d@ligo-wa.caltech.edu

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LIGO Outreach Focus

Leverage the scale, technology and science backdrop of the Observatories to create rich visitor experiences» Student field trips integrate hands-on standards-

based activities with explorations of LIGO science and technology

» Teacher professional development programs emphasize science inquiry along with key LIGO science concepts

» Programs for the general public address a variety of interests and ages

» Outreach programs are built on partnerships» The Observatories are important parts of the

institutional fabric of their communities

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The LIGO Livingston Science Education Center

The LIGO SEC offers dozens of premier hands-on exhibits from The Exploratorium that create a bridge between basic physics concepts and the science of LIGO.

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Partnerships Power the SEC

Exploratorium

LaSIP/La GEAR UP

LIGOSUBR

LIGOSEC

The SEC collaboration is preparing a proposal to carry the Center forward on its growth trajectory.

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Several thousand LA and WA students experienced LIGO field trips in 2007-08

Hanford: Fifteen permanently mounted exhibits; three of these were built by the Exploratorium.

A standard LIGO field trip: Watch Einstein’s Messengers, spend time on the exhibits, enjoy Q&A with a LIGO scientist, take a site tour, visit the control room. All of these activities are connected to National Science Education Standards.

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Teacher Professional Development Activities

Both Observatories participate in collaborations that provide standards-based inquiry-themed professional development programs for k-12 teachers while leveraging the proximity of LIGO science and scientists.

More than 1,000 person-days were spent by teachers at the sites in 2007-2008.

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Research in the Teaching and Learning of Science

The LIGO-Tulane partnership utilizes the SEC to investigate family science interactions.

Hanford collaborates with WSU Tri-Cities on research related to teachers’ perceptions of the nature of science and scientific inquiry.

Evaluator data shows the benefits of “LIGO immersion” for teachers.

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Undergraduates Strengthen Connections to Underrepresented Groups

Southern University students serve as SEC docents.

Columbia Basin College students serve dual outreach-technical internships at LHO.

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Public Tours and Events Attract a Variety of Interests and Ages

The Observatories are growing in popularity as high-interest destinations.

Special activities target various visitor segments.

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National Outreach

• Einsteinsmessengers.org and the I2U2 project provide Web-based education resources.

• The LSC EPO working group has submitted a proposal for a LIGO exhibit in the 2009 World Science Festival.

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2009 IYA -- an Opportunity for Astronomy Outreach

2009 LHO IYA Activities

March 21: Astronomy for the Young

May 2: International Astronomy Day

June 4: LIGO at LitFest, “Astronomy:

More than Romance?”

June 20: Get Your Hands on

Astronomy

August 22: Searching the Deep Sky

October 17: Einstein Film Festival

December 5: Astronomy LIGO-Syle

Astronomía la manera de

LIGO

LLO partnered on an astronomy event for teachers in 2008, laying the groundwork for future activities.

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Proposal for a Hanford Outreach Center

LIGO seeks to replicate the success of the SEC with a comparable outreach facility at the Hanford Observatory.