Filed under: Contest, Higher Education, NASA, STEM, Science, Student Opportunities
NASA invites college students to get involved with NASA’s return to the moon by helping to design the tools and instruments needed for the next-generation manned moon rover. Student projects will tackle real problems to be solved for a successful manned lunar mission. The contest is open to U.S. citizens enrolled full-time in an accredited post-secondary institution in the U.S. An e-mail notice of intent is due by Dec. 15, 2009. Final entries are due on or before May 15, 2010.
For more information, please visit the official website at http://moontasks.larc.nasa.gov/
Filed under: Competitions, Contest, Higher Education, STEM, Science, Student Opportunities
Applications are currently being accepted for the 2010 CanSat Competition.
This annual competition is open to university and college students from the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe. Teams of three to 10 students must design and build a space-type system called a CanSat. Each CanSat is the size of a soda can and must be built according to the specifications released by the competition organizing committee. Participants are involved in the end-to-end life cycle of a complex engineering project, from conceptual design, through integration and test, actual operation of the system, and the conclusion with a post-mission summary and debriefing.
All teams entering the CanSat competition are required to have a faculty adviser. The faculty adviser will oversee and be responsible for the conduct of the team at all times during the competition and is strongly encouraged to accompany the team to the competition.
Applications are due Nov. 30, 2009.
For more information about the competition and to download the application, visit http://www.cansatcompetition.com/
Filed under: Aeronautics, Contest, Educational Materials, Engineering, K-12, NASA, STEM, Science
Space Math IV – Grades 9-12
This collection of activities is based on a weekly series of problems distributed to teachers during 2007-2008 school year. The problems in this booklet investigate space phenomena and math applications such as black holes, sunspots, the moon’s atmosphere, scientific notation, evaluating functions, Benford’s law and geometry. The problems are authentic glimpses of modern science and engineering issues, often involving actual research data. Each word problem includes background information. The one-page assignments are accompanied by one-page teachers answer keys.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Space_Math_IV.html
Aeronautics Research Poster – All Grades
The first A in NASA stands for Aeronautics. The X-48B blended wing body test vehicle on the front of the poster is an example of NASA’s cutting-edge research. Besides aeronautics education and scholarship information, the back of the poster details the programs, work, research and careers of NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate.
Aerospace Design Poster – All Grades
The first A in NASA stands for Aeronautics. The Aerospace Design poster reflects images from the “Aerospace Design: The Art of Engineering from NASA’s Aeronautical Research” exhibit to commemorate 100 years of powered flight. Artifacts on the poster include architectural and engineering designs for wind tunnels, wind tunnel models, and designs for conceptual airplanes, past and present.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Aerospace_Design_Poster.html
INSPIRE Brochure – Grades 9-12
Students in grades 9-12 can apply to be participants in the Interdisciplinary National Science Project Incorporating Research and Education Experience. INSPIRE is a one-year program for students interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The Online Learning Community, the centerpiece of the program, allows INSPIRE students to interact with their peers, NASA experts and education specialists.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/INSPIRE_Brochure.html
Decades of Contributions to Tilt Rotor Aviation Lithograph – All Grades
The first A in NASA stands for Aeronautics. Over NASA’s 50-year history, and even before as the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics, or NACA, the agency has helped to improve aircraft. The front of the Decades of Contributions lithograph shows an artist’s concept of a tilt rotor aircraft with labels pointing to NASA contributions. The back of the lithograph lists and explains how research has improved the safety, efficiency and performance of tilt rotor aircraft.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Rotorcraft_Aviation_Litho.html
Decades of Contributions to Commercial Aviation Lithograph – All Grades
The first A in NASA stands for Aeronautics. Over NASA’s 50-year history, and even before as the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics, or NACA, the agency has helped to improve commercial air travel. The front of the Decades of Contributions lithograph shows an artist’s concept of a commercial aircraft with labels pointing to NASA contributions. The back of the lithograph lists and explains how research has improved the safety, efficiency and performance of commercial jetliners.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Commercial_Aviation_Litho.html
Decades of Contributions to General Aviation Lithograph – All Grades
The first A in NASA stands for Aeronautics. Over NASA’s 50-year history, and even before as the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics, or NACA, the agency has helped to improve commercial air travel. The front of the Decades of Contributions lithograph shows an artist’s concept of a general aviation aircraft with labels pointing to NASA contributions. The back of the lithograph lists and explains how research has improved the safety, efficiency and performance of general aviation aircraft.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/General_Aviation_Litho.html
Decades of Contributions to Rotorcraft Aviation Lithograph – All Grades
The first A in NASA stands for Aeronautics. Over NASA’s 50-year history, and even before as the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics, or NACA, the agency has helped to improve rotorcraft. The front of the Decades of Contributions lithograph shows an artist’s concept of a helicopter with labels pointing to NASA contributions. The back of the lithograph lists and explains how research has improved the safety, efficiency and performance of rotorcraft.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Rotorcraft_Aviation_Litho.html
Decades of Contributions to Military Aviation Lithograph – All Grades
The first A in NASA stands for Aeronautics. Over NASA’s 50-year history, and even before as the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics, or NACA, the agency has helped to improve military aircraft. The front of the Decades of Contributions lithograph shows an artist’s concept of a military aircraft with labels pointing to NASA contributions. The back of the lithograph lists and explains how research has improved the safety, efficiency and performance of military airplanes.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Military_Aviation_Litho.html
Neutral Buoyancy: Astronaut Training Is Not Always “Sink or Swim” – Grades 9-12
Watch the short NASA Brain Bites video “Why Do Astronauts Practice Underwater?” and use the accompanying resource sheet to explain sinking and floating. NASA astronauts simulate floating in space as they train for spacewalks in a huge pool called the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory. The video shows the NBL, and the resource sheet lists questions, answers and resources to stimulate a discussion on density and Archimedes’ Principle. The resource sheet includes links to more buoyancy activities.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Neutral_Bouyancy.html
What Is the Temperature of Space? – Grades 9-12
Watch a short NASA Brain Bites video and use the accompanying resource sheet to explain why objects traveling through space have a temperature but space does not. The resource sheet contains questions and answers to stimulate a discussion about the types of heat transfer, solar absorptivity, IR emissivity, and how NASA designs spacecraft and spacesuits for astronauts.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/What_Is_the_Temperature.html
Spacesuits: Pressurized Protection from Thermal Effects – Grades 9-12
Start with the NASA Brain Bites video “How Do You Scratch Your Nose in a Spacesuit?” for basic information about the suits. Then build on the video with a discussion of how the suit is like a “personal spacecraft.” This resource sheet lists discussion questions, answers, and resources about spacesuits and air pressure. In an application of Ohm’s Law, students calculate the current drawn by the heaters in a spacesuit glove. The resource sheet includes additional links and resources about spacesuits and albedo.
Ares I Can Model – All Grades
NASA plans to send humans back to the moon and on to Mars. To do this, the agency is developing a new rocket called the Ares I. Teachers and students can build an Ares I model. This easy-to- build model, made of cans of foods, was originally created to give visually impaired students an idea of the structure and relative sizes of the parts of Ares I.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Ares_I_Can_Model.html
“Out of Sight” Remote Vehicle Activity – Grades 5-9
Engineers and scientists tested the FIDO rover in the Mojave Desert. The rover drivers worked out of a trailer without watching the rovers. In similar fashion, in this activity students drive a remote-controlled car through a course to learn the challenges faced while trying to operate a planetary rover. They will use measurement, geometry and problem-solving skills to move through the course.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Out_of_Sight_Activity.html
Rover Races Activity – Grades 5-9
Students learn the challenges of operating a robot on Mars from Earth. In this simulation, the rover drivers upload their commands to their rovers (team of three blindfolded students) to travel around obstacles on the Martian surface (red paper on the floor) and complete the mission.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Rover_Races_Activity.html
Buzz Lightyear ‘Putting It All Together’ Activity – Grades 3-8
Buzz Lightyear has the distinguished honor of having been the longest-serving toy in space. He launched May 31, 2008, aboard the space shuttle Discovery with mission STS-124. He returned on Discovery 15 months later on Sept. 11, 2009, with STS-128. Now, back on Earth, Buzz has a challenge for your students: Create a Rube Goldberg-type device that incorporates at least 10 steps to put a marble in a cup. Students use their knowledge of the design process and physical science to design, test, modify and build a successful device.
Waste Limitation Management and Recycling Design Challenge Educator Guide – Grades 5-8 & Informal
This guide is a starting point for middle school students to research and answer the challenging questions of how to maintain human habitations on the moon and other planets in the solar system. The guide focuses specifically on the need for water recycling. The guide includes background information on topics relating to the moon, Earth’s water cycle and water recycling. Several basic classroom activities on water recycling are also included.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/WLMR_Guide.html
Celebrating Apollo U.S. History and Human Geography Series – Grades 9-12
The Celebrating Apollo series provides challenging supplemental problems for students enrolled in advanced U.S. history and advanced human geography courses. NASA’s Apollo Program had a great effect on the history, politics, and social and economic indicators of the United States. Students are exposed to this rich history as they interpret its meaning and connection with other events in that era. Each problem set includes a teacher edition with scoring guide and a student edition.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Celebrating_Apollo_Series.html
NASA, in conjunction with TopCoder Inc. and researchers from Harvard Business School and London Business School, has kicked off an experimental programming competition. The competition is aimed at developing algorithms that optimize medical kits for long-duration human space exploration.
Competitors will develop algorithms to help NASA’s flight surgeons make decisions involved with optimizing the contents of the medical supplies kit that may one day be carried on board long-term space missions. Submissions will be compared with the results of an existing computer model that has simulated the expected medical occurrences and outcomes for various mission scenarios.
Registration for the event closes on Oct. 28, 2009. The online competition runs Nov. 4-14, 2009. The competition is open to all TopCoder members but will be limited to 480 members. More than $24,000 in cash and prizes is at stake.
For full registration information and rules, visit http://www.topcoder.com/nasacontest
TopCoder is a competitive software development community with more than 220,000 developers representing more than 200 countries that offers competition-based development using a unique model of open innovation.
Filed under: Aeronautics, Competitions, Contest, Higher Education, NASA, STEM, Science, Student Opportunities
Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) was developed by the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) specifically to create a constellation of new capabilities, supporting technologies and foundational research that enables sustained and affordable human and robotic exploration. This competition is one of many projects designed to contribute to our Nation’s efforts in achieving excellence in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.
Join NASA’s mission to bring us to the moon, Mars and beyond by submitting a research paper on one of the four ESMD topics listed below. Your research may be used as the solution to current NASA challenges.
Paper Topics Include:
-Ground Operations – Spacecraft Landing and Recovery Architecture: Historical Approaches and Ideas for the Future
-Lunar and Planetary Surface Systems – Synergistic degradation effects of materials exposed to radiation, micrometeors, thermal sinks and lunar dust
-Propulsion – Loading of Cryogenic Propellant in Space Launch Vehicle
-Spacecraft – Determination of the Optimum Internal Cockpit Layout
Four 1st place prizes of $3500 cash scholarships (one for each research topic) and VIP seating to an upcoming Space Shuttle launch
The deadline for submitting the research paper is midnight EST January 25, 2010. For complete information regarding the rules and guidelines visit our website at http://education.ksc.nasa.gov/esmdspacegrant/ResearchPaper.htm
Filed under: Aeronautics, Competitions, Contest, K-12, NASA, STEM, Science, Student Opportunities
After serving 15 galactic months on board the International Space Station (ISS), Disney Parks and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) today announced they are celebrating Buzz Lightyear’s historic space journey with a Mission Patch Design Challenge for children 6-12 years of age in the 50 United States and District of Columbia at http://www.DisneyParks.com/Buzz. The 12-inch action figure returned to Earth in September aboard NASA space shuttle Discovery mission STS-128.
For nearly 40 years, NASA astronauts have designed patches to symbolize their individual space missions and flight accomplishments. Carrying on this tradition, Disney Parks and NASA have launched a search for the most creative mission patch design to honor Buzz Lightyear as America’s first and longest serving space ranger.
Beginning Oct. 2, through Nov. 6, children and parents can go online and download materials to design a custom Buzz mission patch. Kids can choose design templates and art work inspired by previous NASA badges as well as NASA and Disney Parks creative elements and other fun add-ons. Along with their patch, children must also submit a brief essay (up to 100 words) discussing the inspiration for their design. The winner, parent and two guests will receive a three day, two night vacation to Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. as well as a VIP tour of the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla.
The Mission Patch Design Challenge commemorates Buzz Lightyear’s achievement and builds on NASA’s educational goals of encouraging students to pursue studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. As part of the Buzz Lightyear Mission Patch Design Challenge, children will get the opportunity to learn about the requirements of space flight and the science surrounding NASA programs, helping to create a strong understanding about the importance of space exploration.
“Now that Buzz Lightyear is back home, we are truly excited for the next phase – designing a real NASA mission patch to recognize his historic accomplishment,” said Disney’s Duncan Wardle, Vice President, Disney Destinations. “Disney Parks and NASA feel it’s only fitting that Buzz’s biggest and true fans are given the opportunity to design a one-of-a-kind mission patch to celebrate his dream-come-true. We have no doubt the submissions will be unique and creative – if anything, a very hard decision to make!”
How to Enter :
Children and parents can visit www.DisneyParks.com/Buzz for official Mission Patch Design Challenge rules, templates, examples of elements required for each design as well as judging criteria. Entrants shall:
– Download and print mission patch templates (with the help of parents).
– Using various elements, design a Mission Patch to commemorate Buzz Lightyear’s time in space aboard the ISS.
– Write a brief description of the design (up to 100 words).
– Submit artwork and design description (with the help of parents).
– Entries may be submitted via e-mail or mail to specific address.
Entries will be judged based on originality, creative execution, appropriateness of theme and clarity of expression of idea. For additional information on the Disney Parks and NASA Mission Patch Design Challenge or to enter, guests may visit http://www.DisneyParks.com/Buzz
Filed under: Competitions, Contest, Higher Education, K-12, NASA, STEM, Science, Student Opportunities | Tags: Art
NASA invites high school and college students from all areas of study, including the arts, industrial design, architecture and computer design, to submit their work on the theme “Life and Work on the Moon.” Artists are encouraged to collaborate with science and engineering students. Such collaboration is not required but would help to ensure that the work’s subject is valid for the moon’s harsh environment.
Entries will be accepted in three categories: two-dimensional, three-dimensional and digital, including video. For the first time, entries in literature (poetry and short stories) will also be accepted. Judges will evaluate entries not only on their artistic qualities, but also on whether they depict a valid scenario.
Prizes include awards and exhibit opportunities. International students are encouraged to participate, but they are not eligible for cash prizes or student internships. Entries are due no later than April 15, 2010.
For more information about the contest and to register online, visit http://artcontest.larc.nasa.gov/
Filed under: Aeronautics, Competitions, Contest, Cool Science, Higher Education, NASA, STEM, Science, Student Opportunities
NASA invites college students to get involved with NASA’s return to the moon by helping to design the tools and instruments needed for the next-generation manned moon rover. Student projects will tackle real problems to be solved for a successful manned lunar mission.
Examples of problems include:
–Navigation in the darkness around the moon’s south pole.
–Sample retrieval and on-site analysis.
–Radiation detection and avoidance.
–Communication with lunar outpost, with orbiters and with Earth.
–Video capture of sorties for transmission back to Earth.
–Astronaut rescue and recovery.
–Lunar regolith mitigation strategies for rover and space suits.
The contest is open to U.S. citizens enrolled full-time in an accredited post-secondary institution in the U.S., including universities, colleges, trade schools, community colleges and professional schools. Interdisciplinary teams are encouraged, across departments and institutions.
An e-mail notice of intent is due by Dec. 15, 2009. Final entries are due on or before May 15, 2010.
For more information about the contest and to register online, visit http://moontasks.larc.nasa.gov
Filed under: Aeronautics, Astronomy, Competitions, Contest, K-12, STEM, Science, Student Opportunities
The Conrad Foundation has opened registration for the 2010 Spirit of Innovation Awards. The Spirit of Innovation Awards challenge teams of high school students to create innovative products for use in one of four categories: aerospace exploration, space nutrition, renewable energy and green schools. Teams and their coaches will compete for more than $100,000 in cash prizes; be designated as Pete Conrad Scholars; have the opportunity to commercialize their products for general market use; and receive annual memberships to the Conrad Foundation, Sigma Xi, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), and the National Science Teachers Association.
For more information about the program, visit http://www.conradawards.com
Applications must be submitted no later than December 15, 2009, to be considered.
Filed under: Aeronautics, Astronomy, Contest, Cool Science, K-12, NASA, STEM, Science, Student Opportunities, Teacher Opportunities
Blast Off with ScienceWorks!!! NASA Weekend
September 18, 19, 20, 2009
NASA’s Exploration Experience Weekend Events:
Friday, 18th – Student Day (tours are full)
Saturday, 19th – Family Day 11am-5pm
Saturday, 19th – Astronauts Ball 7-11pm
Sunday, 20th – Family Day 11am-5pm
You can read more about the events and register online at http://www.scienceworksmuseum.org/Page.asp?NavID=192
Additional Events
Monday, 21st & Tuesday, 22nd – Teacher Training Workshops 4-8pm
Registration starts Monday, August 31st.
Contest!!!!
What were you doing on July 20, 1969, when Apollo 11 landed on the moon?
* Submit your stories up to 200 words On-line or send in to 1500 E. Main St. Ashland, OR 97520.
* Winners will be announced and their stories read during the Astronauts Ball. Prizes!
* Click here to read the stories
Learn more about NASA trailer: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/events/2009/07-29-31-09.html
Robots on the Road: http://www.aesp.psu.edu/robots.cfm
Teacher Training Workshops: http://www.aesp.psu.edu/
