  The NASA/IPAC Teacher Archive Research Program (NITARP) provides a year-long
authentic astronomy research project by partnering a research astronomer with
small groups of educators. NITARP has worked with a total of 103 educators
since 2005. In this paper, surveys are explored that were obtained from 74
different educators, at up to four waypoints during the course of 13 months,
from the class of 2010 through the class of 2017; those surveys reveal how
educator participants describe the major changes and outcomes in themselves
fostered by NITARP. Three-quarters of the educators self-report some or major
changes in their understanding of the nature of science. The program provides
educators with experience collaborating with astronomers and other educators,
and forges a strong link to the astronomical research community; the NITARP
community of practice encourages and reinforces these linkages. During the
experience, educators get comfortable with learning complex new concepts, with
~40% noting in their surveys that their approach to learning has changed.
Educators are provided opportunities for professional growth; at least 12% have
changed career paths substantially in part due to the program, and 14\% report
that the experience was "life changing." At least 60% express a desire to
include richer, more authentic science activities in their classrooms. This
work illuminates what benefits the program brings to its participants; the
NITARP approach could be mirrored in similar professional development (PD)
programs in other STEM subjects.
