1. Nancy Chanover NMSU Astronomy Department Sloan REU Program Coordinator
Introductions
Nancy Chanover
NMSU Astronomy Department
Sloan REU Program Coordinator
6/7/16
Sloan FAST/REU Boot Camp

2. Sloan FAST/REU Boot Camp
Welcome!
We are delighted that you’re here!
Our primary goals for this week are:
To expose you to various science topics being tackled with the SDSS
To expose you to some of the tools you will be using to conduct your summer research projects
To provide you with a sense of belonging to a cohort, since we will be primarily communicating virtually
MOST OF ALL: to have fun!!
6/7/16
Sloan FAST/REU Boot Camp

3. Sloan FAST/REU Boot Camp
Logistics
Restrooms are right around the corner
Water fountain is right around the corner
Breakfasts (and snacks): here
Lunches: Taos cafeteria, Corbett Center (prepaid)
Dinners: out
Van transport always available
Let me know of any concerns/restrictions
6/7/16
Sloan FAST/REU Boot Camp

4. Sloan FAST/REU Boot Camp
Program Overview
Objectives of both FAST and REU is to increase the participation in SDSS-related research by underrepresented minority students
This is an important issue that is being addressed in many areas of astronomy
Pilot program funded by the Sloan Foundation
Plan to seek additional funding at end of summer
6/7/16
Sloan FAST/REU Boot Camp

5. Sloan FAST/REU Boot Camp
Introductions
NMSU Personnel
Name, role, research interests, some fun fact about yourself
REU participants
Name, home institution, major, REU site, rough idea of project (if known), some fun fact about yourself
FAST participants
Name, home institution, major, FAST mentor, rough idea of project (if known), some fun fact about yourself
6/7/16
Sloan FAST/REU Boot Camp

6. What We Hope You Will Gain This Summer
Experience in learning how to do research
Working with cutting edge data as a member of a large, distributed collaboration
Getting to know new people
Explore scientific research as a career
(REUs: fill out survey if you haven’t already!)
6/7/16
Sloan FAST/REU Boot Camp

7. Sloan FAST/REU Boot Camp
Process of Research
Learning about stuff
Doing stuff
Reporting on stuff
Our goal is to give you help you explore ALL of these aspects of research this week (and this summer!)
6/7/16
Sloan FAST/REU Boot Camp

8. Sloan FAST/REU Boot Camp
Learning About Stuff
Why is this important?
How would you go about doing this?
Are there any transferrable skills that can be gained during this stage of a research project?
How do you know when “enough is enough?”
What is the outcome after having completed this stage of research?
6/7/16
Sloan FAST/REU Boot Camp

9. Sloan FAST/REU Boot Camp
Doing Stuff
This is what most people think of when they think about “doing research”
How would you go about doing this?
Are there any transferrable skills that can be gained during this stage of a research project?
How do you know when “enough is enough?”
What is the outcome after having completed this stage of research?
6/7/16
Sloan FAST/REU Boot Camp

10. Sloan FAST/REU Boot Camp
Reporting on Stuff
Why is this important?
How would you go about doing this?
Are there any transferrable skills that can be gained during this stage of a research project?
What is the outcome after having completed this stage of research?
6/7/16
Sloan FAST/REU Boot Camp

11. Sloan FAST/REU Boot Camp
Schedule Overview
When?
What?
Tuesday morning
History of Observational Astronomy & SDSS
Tuesday afternoon
Spectroscopy & Astrophysics Background
Wednesday morning
Research/presentations on different surveys
Wednesday afternoon
Computing Tools
Thursday
Independent mini-projects
Friday
Field trip to APO
6/7/16
Sloan FAST/REU Boot Camp

12. Sloan FAST/REU Boot Camp
Web Page
6/7/16
Sloan FAST/REU Boot Camp