SETI Institute Launches Exciting New ARISE Lab Program

On April 22, 2025, in Mountain View, CA, the SETI Institute announced a thrilling expansion of its pilot program funded by the Amateur Radio and Digital Communication Foundation, now officially dubbed the ARISE Lab. This innovative initiative aims to bring the captivating world of SETI science into community colleges, offering hands-on training to both instructors and students in astronomy, digital signal processing, and radio science.

Dr. Vishal Gajjar, the lead project researcher and radio astronomer at SETI, emphasized the importance of practical experience: "Hands-on experiences are proven to improve student engagement and retention. With ARISE, we’re merging cost-effective tools like GNU Radio with one of the most fascinating fields of science — the search for extraterrestrial life — to ignite curiosity and cultivate skills across STEM disciplines."

Real-Time Learning at the Cutting Edge of Science

Led by Gajjar, the ARISE team has crafted an experiential learning technique (ELT) curriculum where students engage with actual data from the SETI Institute’s Allen Telescope Array (ATA), the world’s first radio observatory explicitly dedicated to the hunt for technosignatures. This hands-on approach allows students to analyze real astrophysical signals, honing their analytical skills in a captivating context.

A Comprehensive Curriculum Designed for Impact

The ARISE curriculum marries structured modules with standalone lab activities, including lecture notes, pre-lab readings, and instructor resources that seamlessly integrate into existing courses. The program's structure not only reinforces learning but also enhances the teaching toolkit for educators.

Expanding Horizons: What’s Next for ARISE Lab?

After a successful pilot workshop at the Hat Creek Radio Observatory (HCRO), the SETI team is set to scale up the program with fifteen new labs covering topics like astronomy and data science, two hands-on workshops for community college instructors, and on-site lab sessions at ten different community colleges.

Research shows that SETI is one of the most engaging topics for students. By situating technical concepts within the framework of extraterrestrial exploration, ARISE taps into the natural curiosity about life beyond Earth.

Joel Earwicker, the project’s lead research assistant, added, "Whether it’s capturing signals from a Mars orbiter or investigating pulsar data, students are gaining invaluable experience with the tools used in both professional astronomy and various industries. It’s all about making science feel authentic, relevant, and within reach."

Join the ARISE Lab Workshop!

Set your calendars! The SETI Institute will host an in-person ARISE Lab workshop at HCRO from June 25 to 27, 2025, specifically for six selected community college instructors. The program will support travel and accommodation for attendees, who will have the chance to explore the telescope site, take part in live observations, and collaborate with fellow educators.

Community college instructors interested in this unique opportunity can apply by May 13, 2025, and take part in shaping the future of STEM education.

Virtual Workshops and Ongoing Support

In addition to the in-person workshop at the ATA, monthly virtual workshops will kick off on June 2nd, 2025, allowing instructors to exchange insights and share updated ARISE lab implementations in their classrooms.

Discover the ARISE Curriculum and Get Involved!

The ARISE curriculum is available online, inviting educators to revolutionize their approach to teaching astronomy and radio science while fostering a vibrant learning environment.

About the SETI Institute

Founded in 1984, the SETI Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the origins and prevalence of life and intelligence in the universe. It harnesses expertise in data analytics, machine learning, and advanced signal detection technologies, partnering with organizations like NASA and NSF to lead humanity's quest for knowledge.