OSGC Educational Resources Blog

For a second time, students from Alaska and Argentina will have an opportunity to compare polar climates and environments through the GLOBE program’s Seasons and Biomes Project Pole-to-Pole Videoconference, which will take place on April 8, 2008.

Seasons and Biomes is an inquiry- and project-based initiative that monitors the interannual variability of seasons in different biomes. GLOBE schools are organized by biomes into eight Global Learning Communities and students monitor local seasons through regional-based research campaigns. Seasons and Biomes is one of four GLOBE Earth System Science Projects (ESSP); future student research campaigns will target the other three ESSPs: Watershed Dynamics, From Local to Extreme Environments, and Investigating the Carbon Cycle in Terrestrial Ecosystems.

Students from around the world will be able to join in a follow-up Web chat and forum on April 10-11, 2008. The Web chat and forum are open to all students. They will be able to ask scientists questions about current polar and boreal forest research, their own research interests, and topics that will lead to successful school/student research projects.

For more information, visit: http://globe.gov/fsl/html/templ.cgi?ipy_video08&lang=en&nav=1 . Links to the Web chat and forum will be posted on this Website.

Discovery Education and 3M are proud to partner with NASA for the 2008 Young Scientist Challenge. Currently in its 10th year, the YSC encourages the exploration of science among America’s youth and promotes the importance of science communication at a critical age when interest in science begins to decline.

The challenge sponsors are looking for a few great students and teachers who can inspire others with their enthusiasm for science and their ability to communicate. What does it take to be America’s Top Young Scientist or America’s Top Science Teacher? Students in grades 5-8 and teachers of grades K-12 are being asked to create a short (1-2 minute) video about one of this year’s scientific topics, which all relate to this year’s theme, “The Science of Space.” Participants should enter their videos online and will become eligible to win a trip to Washington, D.C., in the fall to compete in the YSC finals at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

Science teachers who are interested in participating must be members of the Discovery Educator Network. Becoming a member is easy and registration is free. To become a member, visit http://community.discoveryeducation.com/about/become_discovery_educator

Video topics and registration information can be found online at http://www.discoveryeducation.com/youngscientist

Videos will be accepted through June 15, 2008. Finalists will be announced this summer, and the competition finals will take place Oct. 4-7, 2008.

For more information, log-on to http://www.discoveryeducation.com/youngscientist
Questions about the competition may be sent to YSC@discovery.com

Next on NOVA: “Voyage to the Mystery Moon”
http://www.pbs.org/nova/titan

Tuesday, April 1 at 8 p.m.
Check your local listings as dates and times may vary.

Chronicling a bold voyage of discovery — the Cassini/Huygens mission to Saturn and its enigmatic moon Titan — NOVA’s “Voyage to the Mystery Moon” delivers striking images of these fascinating planetary bodies nearly a billion miles from Earth. Saturn’s broad rings hold myriad mysteries, and Titan, whose soupy atmosphere is similar to the one that enshrouded our planet billions of years ago, may hold clues to the origins of life.

Here’s what you’ll find on the companion Web site:

Life on a Tiny Moon? http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/titan/porco.html
Saturn’s water-spewing moon Enceladus has suddenly become target #1 in the search for life beyond Earth, says astrophysicist Carolyn Porco.

Anatomy of the Rings http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/titan/anatomy.html
Images sent back from Cassini are resolving age-old mysteries about Saturn’s rings.

How to Get an Atmosphere http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/titan/atmosphere.html
Only four planets or moons with solid bodies — Earth, Mars, Venus, and Titan — have substantial atmospheres. Why?

Sounds of Titan http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/titan/sounds.html
Hear the first-ever audio recording from one billion miles away, and find out what makes sounds in space different from those on Earth.

Also, Links & Books, the Teacher’s Guide, the program transcript, and more:
http://www.pbs.org/nova/titan

This NASA Research Announcement, entitled Research Opportunities in Aeronautics (ROA) — 2008, solicits foundational research in support of NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate. One of the projects supported by this NRA is the Supersonics project.

The Supersonics project is a broad-based effort designed to develop knowledge, capabilities and technologies that support vehicles that fly in the supersonic speed regime. In this solicitation, the Supersonics project is seeking proposals in the Light Weight, Durable Airframes and High Altitude Emissions Technical Challenges.

Awards will be made as grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts, depending on the nature of the proposing organization and/or program requirements. It is anticipated that the majority of awards will be cooperative agreements or contracts due to the expected collaborative nature of the work specified.

Participation in this program is open to U.S. and non-U.S. organizations, including educational institutions. Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Other Minority Universities are encouraged to apply. Working as teams is highly encouraged.

All proposals must be submitted electronically. Electronic proposals must be submitted by May 2, 2008.

For more information, visit http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?method=init&solId={07FD9BA7-1416-AF40-D212-CB36AD8D0915}&path=open

This NASA Research Announcement, entitled Research Opportunities in Aeronautics (ROA) — 2007, solicits foundational research in support of NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate. One of the projects supported by this NRA is the NextGen-Airportal Project.

The NextGen-Airportal Project will work in close collaboration with the NextGen-Airspace Project to conduct airspace and airportal foundational research and discipline-based technology development. The NextGen-Airportal Project will focus on achieving the highest possible efficiency in the use of such airportal resources as gates, taxiways, runways and terminal airspace.

Awards will be made as grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts, depending on the nature of the proposing organization and/or program requirements. It is anticipated that the majority of awards will be cooperative agreements or contracts due to the expected collaborative nature of the work specified.

Participation in this program is open to U.S. and non-U.S. organizations, including educational institutions. Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Other Minority Universities are encouraged to apply. Working as teams is highly encouraged.

All proposals must be submitted electronically. Electronic proposals must be submitted by April 25, 2008.

For more information, visit http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?method=init&solId={A44DEF35-FF34-B95D-3EE1-3F337DC65AAA}&path=open

The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies is sponsoring an Earth Day photo contest for middle school students. Interested students are asked to photograph something that is changing in their local environment. They are to take the photo between Tuesday, April 22, and Tuesday, April 29. The change could be occurring in the student’s backyard, outside the student’s school, in a local park or even off in the distance. Participants must research and write an explanation of the change documented in the photograph.

The contest is open to all U.S. students in grades 5-8.
Entries must be received by e-mail or postmarked by May 9, 2008.

For more information about the contest and how teachers can use it in the classroom, visit http://www.strategies.org/EarthDayPhoto

Astrobiology Techniques: A research-based laboratory course for Pre-Service and In-Service Science Teachers

Offered by: Portland State University, Department of Geology July 28 – August 1, 2008

Details:
G410/510, Astrobiology Yellowstone Techniques - 2 credits
Lab Fee: $50 – covers chemicals and electron microscope beam time
Undergraduate Tuition Fees: $375 for 2 credits
Graduate Tuition Fees: $701 for 2 credits

Course Description:
The field of astrobiology focuses on the search for early life on Earth and the possibility of life on other planets. The Cady Research Group ( http://cadylab.pdx.edu/ ) investigates how life leaves an imprint on the rock record. This course will focus on laboratory techniques used to detect fossil signatures left by microorganisms. Specifically, we will examine samples acquired from Yellowstone National Park using the optical light microscope (OLM) and the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Lectures will cover fundamental concepts in astrobiology and microscopy. Laboratory projects will focus on samples gathered during the Yellowstone field trip, and will give students hands-on experience in OLM and SEM techniques. Class discussions will also consider methods to incorporate Astrobiology concepts and laboratory techniques into K-12 science curriculum. The final assignments, due Aug 8, are to write a short research report and draft a K-12 astrobiology lab. Contact Professor Sherry Cady - (503)725-3377, cadys@pdx.edu and/or Dr. Rick Hugo - (503)725-3356, hugo@pdx.edu for more information.

Astrobiology in Yellowstone National Park: A research experience for
Pre-Service and In-Service Science Teachers

Offered by: Portland State University, Department of Geology on July 8-15, 2008

Details:
G410/510, Astrobiology in Yellowstone 2 or 4 credits (graduate or undergraduate)
Trip Dates: July 8-15, 2008 Official course dates: July 7-25, 2008
Trip Fee: $725 – covers transportation to Yellowstone, meals and camping fees (tuition fees extra)
Undergraduate Tuition Fees: $375 for 2 credits or $602 for 4 credits
Graduate Tuition Fees: $701 for 2 credits or $1254 for 4 credits

Course Description: The field of astrobiology focuses on the search for early life on Earth and the possibility of life on other planets.  The Cady Research Group ( http://cadylab.pdx.edu/ ) investigates how life leaves an imprint on the rock record. In this course, students will be exposed to a variety of field and microscopy techniques used to detect signatures left by microorganisms.  We will travel to hot springs in Yellowstone National Park to study the formation of microbial fossils in hot spring environments.  Participants will conduct original research projects related to current research questions posed by NASA with regard to Mars exploration.  We will also discuss methods to incorporate this multidisciplinary field into K-12 science curriculum.  Assignments, due after returning from the field, are to write a short field research report and draft a K-12 lab or field activity.  The 4-credit version will also require you to prepare a complete curriculum module to share with others.  All students must be prepared to hike 5-6 miles/day on moderate trails, carrying light to moderate loads.

Contact Professor Sherry Cady - (503) 725-3377, cadys@pdx.edu and/or Dr. Rick Hugo - (503)725-3356, hugo@pdx.edu for more information.

The 2008 MY NASA DATA Teacher Workshop will take place at NASA’s Langley Research Center on June 22-27. This workshop will include hands-on sessions designed for educators of students in grades 6-12. The workshop will focus on the implementation and use of Earth system science data sets developed for the pre-college education community as part of the MY NASA DATA program.

Participating teachers will explore topics in Earth system science (especially atmospheric science), educational application of data sets, and hands-on classroom activities. Participants will take informative field trips and benefit from the expertise of nationally recognized atmospheric researchers. The teachers will also explore how data sets can be used to enhance their curriculum and how students can use this data for inquiry-based learning and research.

Applications must be postmarked by April 9, 2008. For more information, visit http://mynasadata.larc.nasa.gov/workshop.html

Camp:TECH! is geared toward students ages 10-15 and offers web design, programming, digital photography, Flash, game design, digital music production, and video production courses at both our day and overnight camps. Students from all over the Northwest take part in our overnight camps and have a blast!

Please Note: OETC is changing the location of the overnight camps this summer. Day camp courses will again be held at the Oregon Graduate Institute (OGI) in Hillsboro Oregon and also in conjunction with the overnight camp courses at our new location at Corban College in Salem Oregon.

The new 2008 Camp:TECH! web site is now up and running so check out the camp courses and dates today at http://camp.oetc.org