Abstract: Along with two historically important telescopes, the Allegheny Observatory has a modern 24” reflector. Summers found it underutilized so as part of an expanded outreach program we have been including high school student research projects. I will briefly share logistics, including the parental permission forms, AP Research class requirements, and examples of forms for science fairs. We will address the astronomy and student support processes in more depth. Participants are invited to do some of the introductory activities as if they were new high school students. These include an activity to combine 3 monochrome astronomical images into a color image with online tools, using online tools to find an exoplanet transit for your site, and finding information on a cluster online as the beginning of building an HR diagram. A couple of students will be online to share their one-minute elevator pitches. We will then ask the audience to brainstorm projects accessible to high school students. This will be valuable to those considering starting or broadening research programs for high school students, those who might provide mentorship to a student and those who have programs and are looking for collaborators.
