Student Team of Astrophysics Researchers (STARS) Undergraduate Pathways

The North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav) collaboration, an NSF Physics Frontiers Center, and its partners in the International Pulsar Timing Array (IPTA) have found the first evidence for a gravitational wave background using radio pulsars. The Student Team of Astrophysics Researchers (STARS) Undergraduate Pathways program provides student opportunities through research partnerships between two-year community and technical colleges (CTCs) and four-year colleges (FYCs). STARS connects participating students with resources and a supportive community to contribute to NANOGrav-related scientific research. Introductory projects include pulsar searching with the Pulsar Science Collaboratory while advanced projects include pulsar studies with the Green Bank Observatory and searching for pulsar candidates in radio imaging data. Participating students develop collaboration and communication skills through local conferences and STARS meetings connecting partner teams across the US. STARS program evaluation studies the impact of NANOGrav involvement on CTC student persistence and matriculation to FYCs.