NC West Virginia News

A West Virginia University (WVU) researcher is facilitating the transition of community college students to four-year institutions for studies in astrophysics and astronomy. The initiative, named Students Teams of Astrophysics Researchers — Undergraduate Pathways (STARS-UP), receives funding from the National Science Foundation's Partnerships in Astronomy and Astrophysics Research and Education program. This initiative aims to broaden participation in the astronomy field by creating more opportunities for students.

Maura McLaughlin, chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at WVU, expressed that STARS-UP will unite various educational institutions to engage more students in STEM research. "We want to create a sustainable pipeline to careers in these areas for students at a two-year college who are interested in science," she said.

Currently, WVU collaborates with WVU Potomac State College. Faculty and students from both colleges will conduct joint research primarily online initially, transitioning to in-person meetings during fall and spring. Participants will also attend a summer workshop at the Green Bank Observatory.

“We’ll build bilateral research agreements,” McLaughlin mentioned regarding her collaboration with Joan Vogtman from Potomac State College. They aim to recruit students, form a research team, and organize school visits. “The goal is for Potomac State students to come to WVU as undergraduates and finish their physics degrees here."

STARS-UP focuses on reaching diverse student backgrounds, particularly those from low socioeconomic communities, first-generation college attendees, and underrepresented minorities who may lack access to STEM education.

The partnership involves four four-year colleges—WVU, Penn State Abington, University of Washington Bothell, and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee—and five community colleges including Cascadia College and Montgomery County Community College. Each community college will pair with a nearby four-year institution for collaborative research and mentorship opportunities.

“All the community colleges have students from underrepresented groups," McLaughlin noted. She highlighted that each partner institution has unique demographic characteristics that contribute to its diversity.

Each participating four-year institution is part of NANOGrav—a scientific collaboration co-directed by McLaughlin—which engages K-12 students through outreach activities offering hands-on astrophysics research experiences.

A secondary aspect of STARS-UP involves tracking participants' progress within these partnerships. Researchers will examine how different educational methods impact student experiences with an aim toward replicating successful programs elsewhere.

“Maybe we’ll find that our West Virginia students are impacted way more by a visit to Morgantown,” McLaughlin said about tailoring interventions based on specific needs across locations.

McLaughlin remains optimistic about the success prospects for two-year college transfers at WVU.