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

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

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 astronauts Dan Tani of Illinois and Suni Williams of Massachusetts, both past residents of the International Space Station, will be available to discuss what it takes to become an astronaut during satellite interviews on Wednesday, May 7.

Tani will be available from 5 to 8 a.m. CDT and Williams will be available from 4 to 6 p.m. NASA now is accepting applications for its 2009 astronaut class. The agency is looking for a diverse group of candidates who want to be part of the next generation of explorers. The deadline for applications is July 1.

Tani, who considers Lombard, Ill., his hometown, was selected as an astronaut in April 1996. He first flew on space shuttle mission STS-108 in 2001. He more recently served as the Expedition 16 flight engineer aboard the space station from October 2007 to February 2008. Tani has logged more than 131 days flying in space, including 32 hours and 38 minutes spacewalking.

Williams, who considers Needham, Mass., her hometown, was selected as an astronaut in June 1998. She served as a flight engineer aboard the space station for 195 days, launching on space shuttle mission STS-116 in December 2006, and returning to Earth aboard STS-117 in June 2007. She has accumulated 29 hours and 17 minutes walking in space.

For more information on astronaut recruitment, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/recruit.html

For complete biographical information for Tani and Williams, visit:
http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios

For NASA TV streaming video, downlink and scheduling information, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

As part of NASA’s 50th anniversary celebration, the Digital Learning Network will inspire students across the country with a five-part series highlighting the contributions of each NASA center to a specific topic in NASA history. The DLN will take students on a journey into NASA’s past while linking them to the vision for space exploration. A look at past, present and future goals of the space program will offer a unique connection to student participants as they are invited to be a part of the future of space exploration.

Each live webcast will link participants to two of NASA’s centers with programs focusing on NASA’s past, present and future efforts of space exploration. All series segments will include discussions of the past, present and future of each center’s topic.

Go Flight!
May 13, 2008, 1 p.m. — 2 p.m. EDT
The year was 1958 and nothing would ever be the same. For the first time, the United States sent a man-made device into space. This new frontier of exploration required ingenuity and creativity. Much of the effort made to make space exploration a success was expended at NASA’s Johnson Space Center and Kennedy Space Center. Join this webcast to re-live the incredible past events at these two centers, realize that the future milestones of NASA will be accomplished by the students inside today’s classroom!

Astronomy: Bringing the Past to Light
May 14, 2008, 1 p.m. — 2 p.m. EDT
May 14, 2008, 3 p.m. — 4 p.m. EDT
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory are combining forces to bring the rich history and science of telescopes to light. This interactive learning event will peer back through time to “first light” for Galileo’s refractor, highlight the evolution of the telescope into today’s large mountaintop reflectors, and focus in on the present and future promise of NASA’s space-based Great Observatories. Witness the inspiring trek of innovation and discovery as NASA continues to explore.

Advancements in Aeronautics
May 20, 2008, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. EDT
Fly away with NASA’s Langley and Dryden Flight Research Centers to learn about their roles in the development of aeronautics during NASA’s 50 years. Combined, the two centers have been studying aviation for more than 90 years. Participants will learn more about this fascinating area of science and how NASA’s advancements have benefited mankind.

Propulsion: Past, Present and Future
May 20, 2008, 1:10 p.m. — 2:10 p.m. EDT
NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and Stennis Space Center were built to examine Newton’s three fundamental laws of motion through testing large-scale engines used for propulsion, engines that would eventually take man to the moon. In recent years, both centers were key to the development of the Space Shuttle Program, from the conceptual stages to the last flight in the coming years. Today, as the shuttle is about to be retired, MSFC and SSC look to a new era of space exploration taking man back to the moon and beyond to new frontiers.

Wind Tunnels and Their Use in Aerospace
May 21, 2008, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. EDT
May 20, 2008, 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. EDT
A design for a new aircraft or rocket may look great on paper, but if the craft is built, will it fly? Learn how scientists and engineers at NASA have answered this question over the past 50 years without leaving the ground. Take a journey with the DLN and see how NASA uses wind tunnel facilities for aviation and aerospace research.

For more information about this series of webcast events and to submit questions to be answered during the events, visit http://dln.nasa.gov/dln/content/catalog/details/?cid=622

Join NASA’s Digital Learning Network for a live webcast with the STS-125 space shuttle crew. The crew will be launching later this year to service the Hubble Space Telescope. The event will highlight the historic mission and explore the unique career diversity of the STS-125 crew. Special emphasis will be on the use of this team’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills in the work they do today and will do while in space.

The webcast will be broadcast live on April 30, 2008, at 1 p.m. EDT.

For more information about this webcast event, visit http://dln.nasa.gov/dln/ .

NASA is pleased to announce that Discovery Communications and 3M are launching a series of Web-based seminars to encourage and support participation by teachers and students in the 2008 Discovery Education/3M Young Scientist Challenge, hosted by NASA. Any teacher or student from anywhere in the world can log onto these free webinars.

There will be two sets of webinars, one for students and one for educators. The student webinars will cover the basics of creating and uploading videos for the challenge. Students will learn how to create videos from cell phones, cameras or webcams. They will learn to edit with or without computers. Most importantly, they will learn that enthusiasm, problem-solving and communication skills are key to winning the Challenge.

The webinars focused on teachers will give an overview of the same skill sets as the student webinars, but the teachers will also be given an overview of the student competition. With this information, teachers can encourage students to enter. The teacher webinars, like the Challenge, will be exclusively for the teachers in 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 )

Webinars (Student Target Audience)
April 21, Monday, 1 p.m. CDT (2 p.m. EDT)
April 22, Tuesday, noon CDT (1 p.m. EDT)
April 23, Wednesday, 2 p.m. CDT (3 p.m. EDT)

Webinars (DEN Teacher Audience)
April 23, Wednesday, 5 p.m. CDT (6 p.m. EDT)
April 30, Wednesday, 7 p.m. CDT (8 p.m. EDT)
May 6, Tuesday, 5 p.m. CDT (6 EDT)

To register for the any of these free webinars, visit https://discoveryed.webex.com/mw0305l/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=discoveryed&service=6

For more information about the Young Scientist Challenge, visit http://www.discoveryeducation.com/youngscientist
Questions about the competition may be sent to YSC@discovery.com

 The FIRST Robotics Championship is the final and largest event of the 2008 Competition. The 2008 Championship is at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA on April 17-19. This event is open to the public and free of charge, as are all FIRST Robotics Competitions.

If you are unable to attend the live event, you can still watch the matches on our live webcast courtesy of NASA TV! Check the link below for schedules, teams, match results, and a link to the webcast.
http://www.usfirst.org/community/frc/content.aspx?id=432&menu_id=80

Back in January of 2008, Online Education Database writer Heather Johnson posted an excellent article listing 100 sources for free online education podcasts.  The article, titled Skip the Tuition: 100 Free Podcasts from the Best Colleges in the World, includes audio and video course content from such schools as Stanford, MIT, Harvard, Yale, and UCLA. 

Whether you just want to brush up on an old subject or expand your knowlege base, these podcasts provide a free and flexible alternative to traditional courses.  All you need is an MP3 player and an internet connection for downloading the content.

Check out Heather’s post at the following URL:
http://oedb.org/library/beginning-online-learning/skip-the-tuition:-100-free-podcasts-from-the-best-colleges-in-the-world

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.