Solar Outreach through Research and Continuing Education (SORCE)
Marty Snow [marty.snow@lasp.colorado.edu] and Erin Wood, LASP, University of
Colorado, Boulder
The Education and Public Outreach program of the SORCE mission is primarily concerned
with educating the next generation of scientists. The two activities supported by SORCE are a
workshop for secondary teachers and participation in the Research Experience for
Undergraduates (REU) site at the University of Colorado. At the workshop, ten teachers from all
over Colorado come to Boulder for an intensive three-day weekend on the Sun, Sun-Earth
connection, climate, and related Earth science. Teachers hear lectures from scientists on current
research topics, and conduct hands-on, standards-based lab exercises. The SORCE REU
students come to Boulder to conduct near-graduate level research for eight weeks during the
summer. After a first week of lectures and labs, the students work closely with one or two
scientist mentors for seven weeks. Their research is presented orally and at a poster session at
the REU student symposium in August. This poster will present the synergies created with these
two unique programs, while discussing the importance of authentic research opportunities for
undergraduates.