HR: 08:15h
AN: ED41A-02    [PDF]
TI: Introducing Space Weather to High School Students, Undergraduates and the General Public
AU: * Knipp, D J
EM: delores.knipp@usafa.af.mil
AF: Department of Physics, Suite 2A31 Fairchild Hall, US Air Force Academy, CO 80840 United States
AU: Krause, L H
EM: linda.krause@usafa.af.mil
AF: Department of Physics, Suite 2A31 Fairchild Hall, US Air Force Academy, CO 80840 United States
AU: Patterson, E T
EM: evelyn.patterson@usafa.af.mil
AF: Department of Physics, Suite 2A31 Fairchild Hall, US Air Force Academy, CO 80840 United States
AB: Space environment studies and space weather investigations have typically been conducted at the university and graduate level. The Air Force Academy is an undergraduate-only institution. Our research efforts, funded by the National Science Foundation and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research have spawned a significant educational and public outreach program directed at a very diverse audience. We interact with the public and with students in three significant ways: In public presentations, in undergraduate and professional development course work and in physics laboratories. The Open Houses at the US Air Force Academy's Planetarium and Observatory provide a natural avenue for informing the general public about space weather impacts and initiatives. We have developed a satellite drag laboratory for our introductory physics class which is taken by all Academy cadets. This lab is easily modified for advanced undergraduate use and high-school use. The drag lab, along with several applications from AF GEOSPACE, forms the basis of several exploratory activities in our undergraduate space weather course. In this presentation we will show how research activities are supporting the introduction of space weather and space environment concepts to a very broad audience.
DE: 2400 IONOSPHERE
DE: 6605 Education
SC: Education and Human Resources [ED]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting