1. Getting Going in the Pulsar Search collaboratory (PSC)
Dr. John Stewart
West Virginia University
Department of Physics and Astronomy

2. Step 1 – Visit the Two Websites
The PSC uses two websites – make sure you can access them.
(WordPress Site - This site contains the training materials, supporting materials, and the Forum.
(Database Site - The site contains the data and is where you go to create an account.

3. Step 2 – Let Us Know Who You Are
Visit the “Teacher Page” on the Database Site

4. Step 2 – Select short Application
Scroll down the page to the “Required Section” and click on the “short application” link.

5. Step 2 – Fill out the form
This will get you on all the right mailing lists.
There is no need to wait for a response. You can proceed immediately to creating an account.

6. Step 3 – Create a Teacher Account
Go to the Database Site.
Select the Teachers Button in the Registration section (circled in red).

7. Step 3 – Create a Teacher Account
Fill out the form.
Select your school from the list (if you have done this before).
Select School Name –OTHER- if you are new. Enter your school name and address.
Push the Sign Up Button

8. Step 3 – Account Created
You account has been created. You can log in by returning to the homepage of the Database Site by clicking the link circled above.

9. Step 4 – Login
Enter the user name and password you just created. Click “Sign In”

10. Step 4 – Login Success
There is a lot to take in on this page. I will go through it piece by piece in the next few slides. Your account is active and you can explore both the Database Site and the WordPress Site.

11. Step 5 – PSC Educational Research
The National Science Foundation (NSF) which funds the PSC requires all projects to be knowledge generating; therefore, there is an educational research component of the PSC. We will ask PSC students to fill out a survey about their science career intentions and beliefs both before starting the program and after they have completed three months of the program. These surveys are delivered through the Database Site automatically. We will also look at their use of online resources at the PSC site (also done automatically). Our hope is to document the effect of the PSC on students to encourage continued funding of this type of program.

12. Step 5 – PSC Educational Research-Learn More
To read more about the research program, go to the Teacher Page and click on Our Educational Research.

13. Step 5 – Informed Consent
To perform the research, we need the consent of the school, the student, and the parent.
Consent of the school or school district is obtained by having the principal of the school sign a letter of permission on the school letterhead. This letter of permission is uploaded to the Database Site which completes the activation of your account.
Parental and student consent is obtained by having parents and students sign a consent form that is then returned to the teacher. Once you receive a student’s consent form, you can activate his or her account on the Database Site.

14. Step 5 – Is Getting Consent Hard?
Most teachers find obtaining consent to be fairly easy. We do not want this to be a barrier for your students to participate. If your principal is not supportive of the research, let us know. We can further explain the goals or if all else fails excuse you from the research part of the program.
Some districts have complicated rules about research in the schools, if yours is one, we can work with them to obtain consent (or excuse you from the research).
The research program is one of the primary reasons the program was funded; however, your students participating is the most important thing. We ask you to do your best to get permission to perform the research, but we really want your students to participate.

15. Step 5 – Where to Find Consent Forms
To find the consent forms, go the For Teachers page and click the Forms you Need button.

16. Step 5 – Forms Page
On the Forms Page you will find links to the “school-permission-template” and the “Combined Consent Form”. These are all you need. The consent forms get mailed back to me at the address at the bottom of the page

17. Step 5 – Form Links The forms are also linked to this slide.
School Permission Template - template link
Combined Parent/Student Consent form with Cover letter – consent link
Mail the complete consent forms when all are collected to:
Dr. John Stewart West Virginia University Department of Physics and Astronomy White Hall 135 Willey St. Morgantown, WV 26506

18. Step 6 – School Permission
First, notify your principal that you would like to participate in the PSC and that some educational research is involved.
If they agree, download the school-permission-template.docx file.
Transfer it to school letterhead.
Have the principal sign it.
Scan the document.
Upload to the Database Site.
Your account is fully activated and you can activate students.

19. Step 6 – School Permission Template
The link will download a Word file that looks like this.

20. Step 6 – Optional Parts
The last paragraph (boxed in red) is optional and may be removed or changed based on school policy.
Some PSC teachers agree to present a control survey to all their science students; it is this research discussed in the last paragraph.

21. Step 6 - Permission on letterhead with signature
Copy permission letter to school letterhead and get the principal’s signature.

22. Step 6 – Upload the Letter
Log back into your account at the database site ( )
Upload your permission letter by Browsing (Choose File) to the letter and clicking Upload the File.

23. Step 6 – Success
Your account is fully activated. You can now create student teams and activate student accounts.

24. Step 7 – Create a School Team
Students join by selecting a team. Your next step is to create one or more teams for your school.
Normally teachers create one team and name it after their school.
Select the Choose Team tab to get started.

25. Step 7 – Create a School Team
All students must belong to a PSC team. Create your team by entering a Team Name and clicking Add in the Add Teams part of the Choose Teams page.

26. Step 7 – Hidden Menu
Depending on the screen width, the menu with Choose Team may be hidden. Click on the menu icon in the red circle to show it.

27. Step 7 – Success
You team has been created.

28. Step 7 – View your Team
To view your team, select your team from Choose from the teams and push Go.

29. Step 7 – No Students Yet
Your team is brand new, so no students have selected it yet.
Students can now create their accounts (even if they have not yet returned their consent forms).

30. Step 8 – Create a Student Account
Creating a student account is just like creating a teacher account.
Go to the Database Site ( )
Click Register

31. Step 8 – Have student go to the Database site
Your student should click Students in the Registration Section.

32. Step 8 – Fill out the form
Your student should select the school you entered and the school team. Click Sign Up at the bottom of the form.

33. Step 8 –Success
The student has created an account but it is not active. You can activate the account once the student returns his or her consent form.

34. Step 9 – Active Your student’s account
Log into the Database site and select the Choose Team tab.
Select your school team from Choose from the teams and push Go.

35. Step 9 – Once Consent Form is Returned
Once your student returns the consent form to you, you can activate his or her account.
Make sure you have the most up to date form. The current form has a watermark on the bottom of the second page which is shown below:

36. Step 9 – Signatures
In the combined consent form, there is a cover letter to the parent, a parental consent form that the parent signs, and a student assent form that the student signs.
Each form also contains a line for the signature of the person conducting the consent discussion shown below. Dr. Stewart will sign this as the form is returned to me. Parents should direct all questions about consent and research to me at

37. Step 9 – Active Your student’s account
Once the student returns the consent form, activate them on this page.
Select the student and push Submit.

38. Step 9 – Success
The student is moved for the consent received column to the Student left club column.
Your student’s account is active and they have access to the Database Site and can begin training.

39. Step 10 – Your Students can log in
On their first log in, your student will be asked to complete a short survey.
Click Next to Begin the survey.

40. Step 10 – The Survey
Fill in the questions and keep pushing next.

41. Step 10 – The Survey is Complete
Once the survey is complete your students have access to the pulsar scoring certification tests and can view pulsar data.
Click on the Sky Map Link

42. Step 10 – The Tests
Your students can take the certification tests (once they have received training) or view pulsar datasets with scoring them before completing the certification tests.

43. Questions?
You and your students will receive additional training on using the Database Site and the certification tests as you go through the six training modules.