This project will build a new, wide-field instrument for the MDM (originally called the Michigan-Dartmouth-MIT) 2.4meter telescope that will serve as a platform to develop and train graduate students in emerging instrument technologies. This instrument is a wide-field (20 arcminute diameter) imager and spectrograph and will be designed for multiple student projects.. Each of these projects is an example of an approximately one year effort (per student) that will introduce students to modern techniques in astronomical instrumentation, and in particular to emerging technologies that are or will be key components of future instrumentation on large telescopes. This instrument will be used to conduct a rich array of scientific investigations including characterization of type Ia supernovae and the study of low redshift groups and clusters of galaxies. Training students in these technologies will expand the future capabilities of the entire community.
