Developing Interactive SETI Curriculum for Community Colleges

Astronomy holds a significant place in community college and undergraduate programs, often featured as an elective or a mandatory component for general education. The study of astronomy not only broadens students’ understanding of the mysteries of the universe but also fosters a deeper grasp of the fundamental laws of nature. In this presentation, we detail the development and execution of an innovative radio SETI curriculum. This curriculum serves to instruct students in the essentials of radio astronomy, digital communication, data science, and signal processing. Leveraging the advanced functionalities of the GNU Radio software toolkit alongside the extensive data from the SETI Institute’s Allen Telescope Array, our objective is to cultivate the next generation of astronomers and radio communication experts. Our curriculum is meticulously crafted to be both engaging and inspirational, placing a strong emphasis on hands-on learning and real-world applications. By merging the allure of SETI with the potency of digital communication, we aim to captivate and retain a diverse cohort of students with a fervent interest in STEM fields.