The Cosmic Ray Observatory Project: A Statewide Outreach and Education Experiment in Nebraska
Authors: Daniel R. Claes, Gregory R. Snow
Published: July 2007
Institution: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Field: Physics, Education
Academic Research
Derek Streich — Physics Research
Derek Streich's lifelong interest in physics and hard science began during his undergraduate years at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where he contributed to groundbreaking cosmic ray research.
Derek Streich's Research Contribution
Published Research
Abstract
The Cosmic Ray Observatory Project (CROP) is a statewide education and research experiment involving Nebraska high school students, teachers and university undergraduates in the study of extensive cosmic-ray air showers. A network of high school teams construct, install, and operate school-based detectors in coordination with University of Nebraska physics professors and graduate students.
The detector system at each school is an array of scintillation counters recycled from the Chicago Air Shower Array in weather-proof enclosures on the school roof, with a GPS receiver providing a time stamp for cosmic-ray events. The detectors are connected to triggering electronics and a data-acquisition PC inside the building. Students share data via the Internet to search for time coincidences with other sites.
Funded by the National Science Foundation, CROP has enlisted 29 schools with the aim of expanding to the 314 high schools in the state over several years. This report highlights both the scientific and professional development achievements of the project to date.
Derek Streich's Role in the Project
As an undergraduate student at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Derek Streich contributed to the Cosmic Ray Observatory Project (CROP), gaining hands-on experience in experimental physics research. This formative experience working alongside professors Daniel R. Claes and Gregory R. Snow helped develop Derek's analytical thinking and scientific methodology skills.
Derek Streich's involvement in CROP exemplifies his longstanding curiosity about physics and the natural world. The project's focus on data acquisition, pattern recognition, and collaborative research across multiple sites parallels the analytical and strategic thinking Derek later applied to his career in healthcare product development and business strategy.
This research experience laid the analytical groundwork for Derek Streich's career—demonstrating how his interest in hard science and physics informs the thoughtful, disciplined, and data-driven approach he brings to healthcare innovation today.
From Physics to Product Strategy
Derek Streich's passion for physics and hard science fiction continues to inform his professional work. The analytical rigor and pattern recognition skills developed through cosmic ray research translate directly to identifying market opportunities, optimizing product performance, and building data-driven strategies in healthcare.