Filed under: Aeronautics, Cool Science, Educator Kit, K-12, NASA, Research, STEM, Science, Student Opportunities
“Kids in Micro-g!” is a student experiment design challenge geared toward grades 5-8. Its purpose is to give students a hands-on opportunity to design an experiment or simple demonstration that could be performed both in the classroom and aboard the International Space Station.
The winning experiments will have observably different results when the experiments are performed in the “1-gravity” or “1-g” environment of the classroom, compared to when the experiments are performed by astronauts in the “Micro-g” (one-millionth of 1-g) environment of the space station. The apparatus for the demonstration must be constructed using materials from a materials tool kit provided to the astronauts on board the space station. The tool kit consists of materials commonly found in the classroom and used for science demonstrations.
The experiment demonstration must take no more than 30 minutes to set up, run and take down. Experiment challenge winners and runners-up will be selected regionally and nationally by the Education offices of the ten NASA centers. The ten regional winners, one national winner and one national runner-up winner will have their experiments conducted by the astronauts on board the space station in the April-May 2010 timeframe. The experiments will be recorded in HD video and the winners supplied with copies of their video before the end of their school year.
Experiment proposals may be submitted by educators on behalf of their student groups. Proposals may be submitted via e-mail or postal mail during the period from Jan. 4, 2010, through Feb. 19, 2010.
The winning experiment proposals will be announced on April 2, 2010.
For more information about the challenge, including a scoring rubric, proposal requirements and a list of materials available to the astronauts, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/science/nlab/experimentchallenge.html
Filed under: Aeronautics, Higher Education, NASA, Research, STEM, Science, Student Opportunities
NASA is accepting applications from students at U.S. colleges and universities who want to send experiments to the edge of space on a high-flying scientific balloon.
The annual NASA project provides near space access for 12 undergraduate and graduate student experiments to be carried by a NASA high-altitude research balloon. The flights typically last 15 to 20 hours and reach an altitude of 23 miles. Experiments may include compact satellites or prototypes.
The experiments are flown aboard the High Altitude Student Platform, or HASP, a balloon-born instrument stack launched from the Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility’s remote site in Fort Sumner, N.M. The goals of the project are to provide a space test platform to encourage student research and stimulate the development of student satellite payloads and other space-engineering products.
HASP seeks to enhance the technical skills and research abilities of students in critical science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines. The project is a joint effort between NASA and the Louisiana Space Grant Consortium.
The deadline for applications is Dec. 18, 2009. NASA is targeting fall 2010 for the next flight opportunity. NASA expects to make selections in January 2010.
Application materials and technical details are available in the Call for Proposals document at http://laspace.lsu.edu/hasp
Information about NASA’s scientific balloon program is available at http://sites.wff.nasa.gov/code820
Filed under: Educational Materials, K-12, NASA, Professional Development, STEM, Science, Teacher Development, Teacher Opportunities
Are you a K-12 teacher of STEM disciplines? Are you looking for a way to enhance your instructional skills, meet your professional development goals, or find new and exciting resources to use in your learning environments? Then NASA’s Electronic Professional Development Network (ePDN) is for you!
NASA’s Learning Environments and Research Network (LE&RN) and the Georgia Institute of Technology have teamed up to create the ePDN, a new initiative dedicated to preparing teachers to engage their students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through the use of NASA-developed learning materials and resources.
The ePDN Offers:
• Free certificate programs (52 hours) in robotics, mathematics, Earth/space science, and technology integration.
• Flexibility to take individual courses within a certificate or the entire certificate program, both for CEU credit.
• Resources that teachers can use in the classroom or for personal development.
Applications are now open for the Robotics certificate, which begins in January, 2010. To apply, please visit http://www.nasaepdn.gatech.edu/certificates.php
For more information on the ePDN, visit http://www.nasaepdn.gatech.edu/
Filed under: Aeronautics, Higher Education, Internships, STEM, Science, Student Opportunities
The Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP) is a ten week summer research opportunity for undergraduate Juniors & Seniors, and Graduate students, under the guidance of a mentor, at a participating Navy Laboratory (list of participating universities is available at http://www.asee.org/nreip). The stipend amounts for the program are $7500 for undergraduate students and $10,000 for graduate students. U.S. citizenship required; Permanent residents accepted at certain labs.
The online application is currently open at http://www.asee.org/nreip and must be completed by January 8, 2010. All accompanying documents (official transcripts and reference letters) are due by January 11, 2010.
Filed under: Cool Science, Educational Materials, Higher Education, K-12, Links to Other Resources, NASA, Robots, STEM, Science, Student Opportunities, Teacher Opportunities
Innovation, creativity, problem solving — the world of robotics at NASA is all of these things. Bookmark this new one-stop shop on NASA.gov for news about robotics for educators and students. Check out the things to do on the site to see if robotics might be in your future.
Things you can do on this site:
–Answer the question: What Is Robotics?
–Practice your programming skills with the interactive robotic activity.
–Watch and download video and multimedia features about robotics.
–Follow a timeline tracing the history of robotics.
–Check out lesson plans for your classroom.
–Stay up-to-date with information about NASA-supported robotics competitions.
–Visit the Robotics Image Gallery.
–Explore other worlds with NASA through robotic spacecraft discoveries.
–Read about scientists and engineers who design and test robots.
–Browse NASA Web sites for information about robotics.
Visit the new NASA Robotics website at: http://www.nasa.gov/education/robotics
Filed under: Conference, Cool Science, NASA, STEM, Science, Student Opportunities, Teacher Opportunities
NASA is holding the first-ever TEDx-NASA, a one-day multidimensional event that fosters discussions that will shape the future.
TEDx-NASA is Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Ferguson Center for the Arts in Newport News, Va. A limited number of free tickets are available to the public. For more information and to register, go to http://www.TEDx-NASA.org
NASA is synonymous with innovation and thought leadership; TEDx is about “ideas worth spreading.” TEDx-NASA will provide an opportunity to leverage the strengths of both organizations and present a unique environment for the exchange of game-changing ideas.
NASA’s Langley Research Center and the National Institute of Aerospace have organized TEDx-NASA, dubbed “Space to Create.” The event is a day-long immersion in topics that range from science and technology to entertainment and the arts. Scheduled presenters include:
• Celebrated author Mitch Albom
• Experimental artist Chakaia Booker
• Creativity and innovation coach Gregg Fraley
• Robotics inventor Dr. Dennis Hong
• Astronaut Leland Melvin
• Humorous guitar virtuoso Mike Rayburn
• Space illustrator and designer Pat Rawlings
• Oprah & Friends radio host John St. Augustine
• Motivational entertainer Jana Stanfield
• And many more.
TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) is most well known for its annual conference that brings together leading thinkers and doers to share their passion for big ideas.
TEDx-NASA is an independently organized event in the spirit of TED that will connect innovators from NASA and around the world with the Hampton Roads audience.
For more information about TEDx-NASA, visit http://www.TEDx-NASA.org
For more information about NASA’s Langley Research Center, visit http://www.nasa.gov/langley
For more information about the National Institute of Aerospace, visit http://www.nianet.org
Do you know K-12 teachers or district-level administrators who are making a difference in education through the use of technology? Recognize their achievements by nominating them for the Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award. The Astronauts Memorial Foundation, in partnership with NASA and the Space Foundation, will recognize the accomplishments of one outstanding individual and his or her contributions to lifelong learning through the application of technology in the classroom or professional development of teachers.
Technology personnel and K-12 classroom teachers who have demonstrated exemplary use of technology to enhance learning are eligible for this award. School principals, superintendents or associate superintendents may nominate eligible candidates. The award will be presented in April 2010 at the 26th National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs. The deadline for applications is Jan. 16, 2010.
Applications and more information are available online at http://www.amfcse.org/Alan%20Shepard%20Award/alan_shepard_award.htm
Filed under: Best Practice, K-12, STEM, Science, Teacher Opportunities, fellowships
Applications are currently available for the 2010-2011 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program. This program is open to current public or private elementary and secondary mathematics, technology and science classroom teachers with demonstrated excellence in teaching.
Selected teachers spend a school year in a congressional office, the Department of Energy, or a federal agency such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Science Foundation or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Applicants for this program must be U.S. citizens and be currently employed full-time in a public or private elementary or secondary school or school district. Applicants must have been teaching full-time in a public or private elementary or secondary school for at least five of the last seven years. Three recommendations are required. One must be from a school district official.
During the fellowship, each Einstein Fellow receives a monthly stipend plus a monthly cost of living allowance. In addition, there is a moving/relocation allowance as well as a professional travel allowance.
The deadline for applications is Jan. 13, 2010. For more information about this opportunity, visit http://www.trianglecoalition.org/fellows/einapp.htm
NASA’s Stardust-NExT mission is offering the public a chance to win a small cube of aerogel (the lightest and lowest-density solid) or a mission cookie cutter. NASA is asking the public to visit the Stardust-NExT mission Web site and complete an online survey about the site.
A total of 100 surveys submitted through Nov. 30, 2009, will be selected randomly to win a cookie cutter or aerogel sample.
For more information, visit http://stardustnext.jpl.nasa.gov/survey.html
Filed under: Educational Materials, K-12, NASA, STEM, Science, Teacher Opportunities, Webcasts
NASA’s Digital Learning Network presents a series of videoconferences to assist educators in staying current on NASA education resources and related products.
During each event, product producers, authors and experts will demonstrate their materials designed to optimize awareness and understanding of science concepts. Instructional objectives, accessing the materials and primary contacts for the materials will also be discussed. During the videoconferences, participants will be able to submit questions to the presenter that will be addressed during the presentation.
In the coming months, the following topics will be covered:
— Using NASA eClips™ to Engage Millennial Learners: Nov. 18, 2009, 4-5 p.m. EST
— Exploring Space Through Math: Dec. 16, 2009, 4-5 p.m. EST
— STS-131 Robotics: Jan. 27, 2010, 4-5 p.m. EST
— NASA Fit Explorers Feb. 24, 2010, 4-5 p.m. EST
— NASA eProfessional Development Network — Robotics Course: March 31, 2010, 4-5 p.m. EDT
— MoonWorld: April 28, 2010, 4-5 p.m. EDT
— On the Moon: May 26, 2010, 4-5 p.m. EDT
For more information about these videoconferences and to sign up online, visit http://dln.nasa.gov/dln/content/webcast/ .
