OSGC Educational Resources Blog

On May 25, 2008, the NASA Phoenix spacecraft will arrive at Mars. Phoenix will be the first vehicle intended to land on the surface of Red Planet since the Mars Exploration Rovers “Spirit” and “Opportunity” landed in January 2004.

Phoenix is a three-legged lander that will perform its “entry, descent and landing” sequence and, if successful, will commence a three-month surface science mission. Phoenix will dig down to an ice-rich layer that scientists calculate lies within inches of the surface. The lander will check samples of soil and ice for evidence about whether the site was ever hospitable to life.

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California will be conducting a live webcast for schools on Thursday, May 22, at 9:00 a.m. PDT (12:00 p.m. EDT). This webcast will preview the events of the entry, descent and landing, the path to Mars so far, and the science mission.

Appropriate for 4th- through 12th-grade classrooms, the program will feature information and video clips for 30 minutes. Four selected schools connected through the NASA Digital Learning Network will engage in Q&A with JPL staff for an additional 20 minutes.

For information on how to view the webcast live, visit http://dln.nasa.gov/dln/content/webcast/
To learn more about the Phoenix mission, visit http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/present/phoenix.html

The Earth Then, Earth Now: Our Changing Climate Educator Conference will focus on understanding climate change and will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Dr. Sally Ride’s first space shuttle mission. How was Earth’s climate different 25 years ago? What changes are predicted over the next 25 years?

Participants will investigate the basic science behind our understanding of climate change. They will also learn about the global impact of climate change on the atmosphere, ocean, continents and ecosystems. The conference will draw upon the latest science to present the story of our changing climate. Dr. Ride will give a keynote talk, and leading climate scientists will give presentations. The conference will also include hands-on activities, materials for the classroom, and current ideas for facing our climate challenge and creating a healthier planet. Participants will also learn about the wide-ranging career opportunities in this expanding and dynamic field.

The conference is taking place on July 23-24, 2008, at the NOAA Science Center in Silver Spring, Md. The registration fee of $60 covers teaching materials and most meals.

For more information and to register for the conference online, visit http://www.sallyridescience.com/conference

Would you like to send your name into space?  Submit your name as part of the Name in Space program at the SETI Kepler website.  Submitted names will be stored on a DVD and rocketed into space on board the Kepler spacecraft.  The deadline to submit your name is November 1, 2008.  More information about the Kepler mission is available at the official NASA website.

Name in Space website: http://namesinspace.seti.org/
Kepler Mission website: http://kepler.nasa.gov/

Kepler is NASA’s first mission capable of detecting Earth-size and smaller planets in the habitable zone of solar-like stars. The spacecraft is planned to be launched from Kennedy Space Center in February 2009. The spacecraft will be launched into orbit around the Sun, not the Earth, with an orbital period of 372 days. The spacecraft will slowly drift away from the Earth, such that in about 25 years it will be half an Earth orbit away, 300 million kilometers distant from the Earth, passing behind the Sun as viewed from Earth.

Name in Space is an activity in association with the International Year of Astronomy 2009 and is an activity in recognition of the 400th anniversary of Kepler’s publication of his first two laws of planetary motion. Read more abou the International Year of Astronomy at http://www.astronomy2009.org/

Join NASA and viewers from around the globe as the Phoenix Mars Lander descendes to the surface of the Red Planet on May 25, 2008.  Live webcasts of the landing will begin around 3pm PST and continue until approximately 5pm. 

The Phoenix Mars Lander will investigate a site in the far north of Mars. The mission will seek to answer questions about that part of Mars and help resolve broader questions about the planet. The key questions Phoenix will address concern water and conditions that could support life.

The Phoenix landing region has water ice in soil close to the surface, which NASA’s Mars Odyssey orbiter discovered for much of the high-latitude terrain in both the north and south hemispheres of Mars.

Phoenix will dig down to the icy layer. It will examine soil in place at the surface, at the icy layer and in between. It will scoop up samples for analysis by its onboard instruments. One key instrument will check for water and carbon-containing compounds by heating soil samples in tiny ovens and examining the vapors that are given off. Another will test soil samples by adding water and analyzing the dissolution products. Cameras and microscopes will provide information on scales spanning eight powers of 10, from features that could fit by the hundreds into the period at the end of this sentence to a survey of the landscape by a mast-mounted camera. A weather station will provide information about atmospheric processes in an arctic region where a coating of carbon-dioxide ice comes and goes with the seasons.

To read more about the Phoenix Mars Lander and to access a link to the live webcast, please visit the official NASA Phoenix website at  http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/phoenix/main/index.html

The Interdisciplinary National Science Project Incorporating Research and Education Experience, also known as INSPIRE, is seeking educators to supervise high school students during eight-week summer internships. Positions are available at several locations across the U.S. One counselor will be selected for each of the ten NASA Field Centers.

The position requires a professional educator to coordinate NASA INSPIRE activities within the NASA Center region. The INSPIRE Counselor will be the designated point of contact for INSPIRE participants at the assigned NASA Center. Training will be provided prior to the assignment.

The position requires a minimum of a four-year degree in science, mathematics and/or technology education, a valid teaching certificate, and a minimum of three years teaching experience in grades 6-12. A combination of teaching experience and NASA education experience is also acceptable. U.S. citizenship is required.

Counselors who are chosen will receive lodging and meals during the eight-week event, travel to and from the NASA field center, and a stipend of $5,800. Oklahoma State University graduate credit is also available to those who are interested. Applications are due May 30, 2008.

To learn more about this opportunity and how to apply, visit https://opportunities.nasa.okstate.edu/index.cfm?liftoff=applications.PositionDetails&JobPostingID=20

NASA’s Office of Education is seeking proposals for collaboration with an organization to enhance NASA’s ability to achieve its educational goals by creating and managing a Massively Multiplayer Online game. The goal of this game is to enhance science, technology, engineering and mathematics education by combining NASA-based content that draws and holds young people’s attention with fun and challenging game play. The primary audience for this MMO game will be students from the middle school level through college.

This request will result in the establishment of a non-reimbursable Space Act Agreement (defined as one with no exchange of funds) that will define the full roles and responsibilities of NASA and the proposing organization. A follow on call for education experts to work with the project is expected in June 2008. Proposals are due June 18, 2008.

For more information about this opportunity, visit http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/synopsis.cgi?acqid=129682

Join NASA and NSTA for a series of free Web seminars focusing on a wide range of topics. All Web seminars will include information and resources for educators available from NASA Web sites. During the live Web seminars, presenters will share their expertise and answer questions live from the participants.

Mapping the Moon: Simulating LOLA in the Classroom

Join NASA and NSTA for a Web seminar focusing on the topics of lunar exploration, mapping, remote sensing, and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission. LRO will launch in late 2008 with these objectives: to find safe landing sites for future manned lunar missions, to locate potential resources, to characterize the radiation environment and to demonstrate new technology. Designed for educators of grades 4-12, the 90-minute seminar will begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT on May 13, 2008.  http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/boston08/NASA-Mapping/webseminar.aspx

Robotic Exploration of the Red Planet

Join Greg Mehall, instrument manager, systems engineer and mission manager for multiple robotic missions to Mars, as he shares his expertise in systems engineering. Mehall will give participants a “behind-the-scenes” look at what it takes to build complex robots, like the twin rovers that are still driving across the surface of Mars. Designed for educators of grades 5-12, the 90-minute seminar will begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT on May 14, 2008.  http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar12.aspx

21st Century Explorer: Today’s Knowledge for Tomorrow’s Explorer

Join NASA and NSTA for a Web seminar focusing on the 21st Century Explorer project. Each of the 21st Century Explorer project activities promotes higher-order thinking skills and expands the space exploration knowledge base of the bilingual educator, learner and family. Designed for educators of grades 3-5, the 90-minute seminar will begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT on May 15, 2008.  http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/boston08/NASA-Explorers/webseminar.aspx

From Astrobiology to Zoology: Igniting Students’ Interests in Science Careers

Join scientists and education specialists from Sally Ride Science for a free Web seminar focusing on the wide variety of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers available and the many paths to becoming a scientist. The presenters will share their science expertise, answer participant questions, and provide information regarding Web sites students can use in the classroom. Designed for educators of grades 6-9, the 90-minute seminar will begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT on May 20, 2008.  http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/boston08/SRS/webseminar.aspx

Polar Science, Global Discoveries: IPY Research Update for Teachers

Join NASA, NSTA, the National Science Foundation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for a Web seminar celebrating the International Polar Year. The seminar will focus on global climate change and the research findings from the first year of IPY. Topics will include living systems, plants, humans, animals, adaptation, carbon cycle, air, water, migration and weather. Designed for educators of grades 5-8, the 90-minute seminar will begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT on May 22, 2008.  http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/boston08/IPY-Boston/webseminar.aspx

Mars Exploration Rovers: Where Are They Now?

Join Dr. Steve Ruff of Arizona State University as he presents an update on the Mars Exploration Rovers, including a description of an important new discovery by the Spirit rover in the Gusev crater concerning water and habitability on Mars. Dr. Ruff will also talk about initial results from the proposed May 25th landing of the Phoenix mission and describe future Mars exploration plans. Designed for educators of grades 5-12, the 90-minute seminar will begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT on June 5, 2008.  http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/JPL2/webseminar13.aspx

NASA has just opened an exciting new artifact loan program!

What innovative and inspiring things would your organization or school do with space shuttle tires? NASA has released a call for proposals from museums, planetariums, schools, civic groups, etc for exciting and unusual plans to use and display shuttle tires. This is your organization’s chance to get a real NASA artifact for use in hands-on exhibits, artwork, furniture, or whatever your group can dream up!

NASA is waiving some preservation requirements for these tires due to the nature and number of the tires to allow a wide range of possible uses. The tires may be displayed outdoors, may be cut, drilled, painted or otherwise modified, but all pieces will remain the property of the federal government. Any and all other uses for these artifacts will be considered, but must be approved by NASA and the item will remain the property of the federal government.

The deadline to submit a proposal is June 11, 2008. Please review the official press release below or visit the official website for details: http://artifacts.nasa.gov/space_shuttle_lgt.htm

(NASA PRESS RELEASE: 08-113)
NASA ROLLS OUT NEW ARTIFACT LOAN PROGRAM WITH SPACE SHUTTLE TIRES

WASHINGTON — With the help of the space shuttle program, NASA kicks off a new artifact loan program for museums, planetariums, and other organizations. NASA’s new Artifact Loan Opportunities Program will help organizations borrow NASA artifacts for education and outreach purposes.

The first artifacts available are main landing gear tires from space shuttles. The space shuttle tires, including some flown on missions, are available to proposing organizations that NASA determines best meet the agency’s education and public outreach goals.

This new program gives organizations that are not traditionally associated with the agency the chance to have access to NASA artifacts. The shuttle tires and future available artifacts represent NASA’s many decades of exploration and discovery.

Organizations interested in proposing uses for loaned shuttle tires should be external to NASA. Organizations may include, but are not limited to, museums, schools, and civic groups. The long-term loan of these tires may be used to educate, inspire or inform the public about NASA’s scientific and technological achievements through art, sculpture, furniture, building structures, exhibits or other innovative uses of the artifacts.

The deadline for proposals on this initial opportunity is June 11, 2008.
For information about artifact loan opportunity, visit: http://artifacts.nasa.gov

The Oregon State University Robotics Club will host an open demonstration of their “University Rover Challenge” entry on Saturday, May 10 – part of a national competition among university students to design and build the next generation of Mars rovers. The event will be at the Arts and Crafts Building at the Benton County Fairground in Corvallis, OR.   From 11 a.m. to about 2 p.m. the rover will work to perform tasks in geology, soil analysis, emergency navigation and construction.  The team, funded through a NASA ESMD Design Project award, has also received equipment donations from a corporate sponsor, Parallax Inc.  The demonstration is free and open to the public.

For more information about the University Rover Challenge and the tests planned for Saturday, please visit the Mars Society’s University Rover Challenege website at http://www.marssociety.org/portal/c/urc

Read more about the OSU Robotics Team at their journal, hosted through the Parallax company, at http://www.parallax.com/tabid/638/Default.aspx

Join NASA and the Girl Scouts for an exciting summer residential program June 22-28, 2008, at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif.

Registration is open to girls entering grades 9-12. Participants choose to attend the Aeronautics Institute, Robotics Institute or Astrobiology Institute. They then explore their chosen topic with other high school girls and get a taste of how things are done the NASA way. Applications are due May 23, 2008. Space is limited. Early registration is encouraged.

Adults are needed to share the excitement of technology, engineering and science with girls. Volunteer and paid staff positions are available. Opportunities include advisor, health supervisor, chaperones and drivers. Training dates are June 19-21, 2008.

For more information about the week-long program, visit http://www.girlscoutsbayarea.org/pages/initiatives/ggt/events.html