Building STARBASE: Robotic telescopes for hands-on science education

Funded as a NASA Office of Space Science education program, STARBASE (Students Training for Achievement in Research Based on Analytical Space-science Experiences) consists of a network of networks, developed to connect high school students and teachers with cutting edge research. Standards-based assessment has become the major driver for secondary schools in most states, creating a need for hands-on, interactive learning experiences aligned with the National Science Standards and Benchmarks. STARBASE faculty participate in teacher training workshops and visit science classrooms in secondary schools. Preliminary evaluation provides evidence that our collaborative efforts are much more successful when a substantial effort is made to maintain communication with the high school science teacher, and when lesson plans and supporting materials are provided to the teachers.