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Education
Education is an important aspect of the Rocky Mountain NASA Space Grant program. Our precollege and informal education programs are focused on increasing interest and awareness of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) among k-12 students. We do this through various programs for both k-12 students and teachers.
Precollege and Informal Education
Outreach Programs
NASA Microgravity Science and Engineering Student Program Opportunity
Dropping In a Microgravity Environment (DIME) is designed for high school-aged teams.
What If No Gravity? (WING) is designed student teams in grades 5-8. These are programs for students to design, build, and drop an experiment in a microgravity drop tower at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio.
The home page for DIME & WING information is:http://spaceflightsystems.grc.nasa.gov/DIME.html
There is also a YouTube channel with video information about past DIME & WING activities and how the drop tower operates. http://www.youtube.com/user/dime10nasa
For inquiries e-mail dime@lists.nasa.gov
GRAIL Spacecraft Naming Contest
Launched on Sept. 10, 2011, the Gravity Recovery And Interior Laboratory mission, also known as GRAIL, will allow scientists to study the moon like never before. Using two twin spacecraft orbiting the moon at very precise distances, the GRAIL mission is designed to create a gravity map of the moon. This map will enable scientists to learn about the moon's internal structure and composition, and give scientists a better understanding of the moon's origin. Accurate knowledge of the moon's gravity could also be used to help choose future landing sites on the moon.
Now that they're on their way to the moon, the two robotic spacecraft, currently dubbed GRAIL-A and GRAIL-B, need real names -- ones that capture the spirit and excitement of lunar exploration. And NASA is looking for students to help with the naming duties.
U. S. students in grades K-12 are eligible. Entries should include the chosen names for the spacecraft, along with an explanation of why those names should be selected. Justification can be any length, from a short paragraph to a 500-word essay.
Entries are due Nov. 11, 2011. All entries must be submitted by teachers.
For more information about the GRAIL mission and to submit entries via the online entry form, visit http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/grail/namingcontest.cfm.
If you have questions about the GRAIL Naming Contest, please email grailcontest@jpl.nasa.gov.
International Space Station EarthKAM Fall 2011 Mission
Middle school educators are invited to join NASA for the International Space Station EarthKAM Fall 2011 Mission from Nov. 1-4, 2011. Find out more about this exciting opportunity that allows students to take pictures of Earth from a digital camera aboard the International Space Station.
International Space Station EarthKAM is a NASA-sponsered project that provides stunning, high-quality photographs of Earth taken from the space shuttle and the space station. Since 1996, EarthKAM students have taken thousands of photographs of Earth by using the World Wide Web to direct a digital camera on select spaceflights and, currently, on the space station.
For more information about the project and to register fro the upcoming mission, visit the EarthKAM home page www.EarthKAM.ucsd.edu.
If you have questions about the EarthKAM project, please e-mail ek-help@earthkam.ucsd.edu.
YouTube's Space Lab Challenges Students to Design an Experiment for the International Space Station
NASA has partnered with Space Adventurers and YouTube on a global competition that challenges 14- to 18-year-old students to design a science experiment that can be performed in space. The winning experiment will be conducted aboard the space station in 2012.
Students, either alone or in groups of three, are invited to submit a video describing their experiments to YouTube.com/SpaceLab. Six regional finalists will gather in the United State in March 2012 to experience a zero-gravity flight and receive other prizes. From the finalist, two global winners will be announced and will see their experiments performed in space and streamed online that summer. Additionally, the global winners will get to choose a unique space experience as a prize: either a trip to Japan to watch their experiment blast off to the space station, or a trip to Star City, Russia, for an authentic space training experience at the Russian cosmonaut facility.
Videos will be accepted through Dec. 7, 2011.
For more information about the challenge, visit http://www.youtube.com/spacelab.
NASA Endeavor Science Teaching Certificate Project: K-12 Educator Fellowships - DEADLINE APPROACHING
The NASA Endeavor Science Teaching Certificate Project awards 12-18-month fellowships each year to 50 formal educators. Cohort 4 begins in January 2012.
In partnership with state departments of education, Endeavor Fellows take five graduate courses in an innovative, online format from the comfort of their homes or schools. In these courses, participants gain science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, professional development. Participants learn to apply research-based pedagogical strategies and cutting-edge STEM content to their classroom contexts while becoming part of a network of like-minded educators across the nation.
Endeavor Fellows earn and are awarded a NASA Endeavor Certificate in STEM Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Fifteen graduate credits are awarded from regionally accredited higher education partners.
Collaborating with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, Endeavor has arranged for an option whereby fellows may put their work from the STEM certificate toward becoming nationally board certified in mathematics or science.
Applications for Cohort 4 will be accepted through Oct. 31, 2011.
For more information, visit http://www.us-satellite.net/nasa/endeavor/index.cfm.
Questions about this opportunity should be directed to nasa_endeavor@us-satellite.net.
The NASA Endeavor Science Teaching Certificate Project is administered by U.S. Satellite Laboratory Inc. Funding authorization for the project is provided through the NASA Endeavor Teacher Fellowship Trust Fund as a tribute to the dedicated crew of the space shuttle Challenger.
2012 Space Exploration Educators Conference
Make plans to attend the 18th Annual Space Exploration Educators Conference, to be held Feb. 2-4, 2012, at Space Center Houston. This conference is for all K-12 educators. Activities presented use space-related themes to teach across the curriculum and can be used for science, language arts, mathematics, history and more.
Attend sessions hosted by scientists and engineers working on the International Space Station, Mars exploration and the planets beyond. Hear from astronauts who will be leading the charge in exploration. Attend sessions presented by educators and receive ready-to-implement classroom ideas. Attendees can earn up to 24 hours of continuing professional education credit.
For more information, visit http://spacecenter.org/TeachersSEEC.html.
If you have any questions about the conference, please call 281-244-2149 or email seec@spacecenter.org.
College/University Education
NASA seeks Space Technology Graduate Fellowship Applicants
WASHINGTON -- NASA is seeking applications from graduate students for the agency's second class of Space Technology Research Fellowships. Applications will be accepted from accredited U.S. universities on behalf of graduate students interested in performing space technology research beginning in fall 2012.
The fellowships will sponsor U.S. graduate student researchers who show significant potential to contribute to NASA's strategic space technology objectives through their studies. Sponsored by NASA's Office of the Chief Technologist and the Space Technology Program, the fellowships' continuing goal is to provide the nation with a
pipeline of highly skilled engineers and technologists to improve America's technological competitiveness. Fellows will perform innovative space technology research today while building the skills necessary to become future technological leaders.
"We're calling for our second round of applications from America's best and brightest future technology leaders," said Michael Gazarik, director of the Space Technology Program at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "Our Space Technology Graduate Fellowships will help create the next generation of highly skilled workers needed for
NASA's and our nation's technological future, while motivating careers in science and technology that will lead to sustainable,high-tech jobs and help America out-innovate the world."
The deadline for submitting applications is Jan. 11, 2012. Information on the fellowships, including how to submit applications, is available at:
To learn more about NASA's Office of the Chief Technologist, the Space Technology Program and the crosscutting space technology areas of interest to the agency, visit:
CAE Teaching Excellence Workshops
The Center for Astronomy Education is hosting two professional developement workshops in conjunction with the 219th meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Austin, Texas, on Saturday and Sunday, January 7 & 8, 2012.
Register for CAE Tier 1 Workshop
Register for CAE Tier 2 Workshop
These workshops are funded by the NASA JPL Exoplanet Exploration Public Engagement Program and by the NSF CCLI CATS Program and is presented by the Center for Astronomy Education (CAE).
You can learn more about CAE here
2011 NASA Postdoctoral Program
The NASA Postdoctoral Program, or NPP, offers scientists and engineers unique opportunities to conduct research at a NASA Center or other location stipulated by the program. NPP serves as a source of talent to ensure the continued quality of the NASA research workforce. Each fellowship opportunity is designed to advance NASA research in a specific project related to space science, earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, lunar science or astrobiology. Applicants apply for a specific research opportunity and, if selected by NPP’s competitive process, are offered one- to three-year fellowship appointments.
Applicants must have a Ph.D. or an equivalent doctorate degree before beginning the fellowship. Applicants must have U.S. citizenship, Lawful Permanent Resident status, an Employment Authorization Document with pending LPR status, or a J-1 Visa status as a Research Scholar before beginning the fellowship. An H-1B Visa status is not acceptable because the NPP is not an employment program.
Stipend rates for Postdoctoral Fellows start at $50,000 per year. Moderate supplements are given for high cost-of-living areas and for certain academic specialties. Limited relocation assistance is provided and health insurance is available through the program. Fellows also receive $8,000 per appointment year to support travel to conferences, meetings and other activities (i.e., travel to field sites or observatories to collect data or for required training) that directly support their research projects.
The next round of applications is due Nov. 1, 2011.
For further information about this opportunity and to apply online, visit http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc/description/index.htm. Questions regarding this opportunity may be submitted by email to nasapostdoc@orau.org.
2012 National Community College Aerospace Scholars Program
National Community College Aerospace Scholars is an interactive, online learning experience featuring engineering career possibilities. It is highlighted by an on-site experience where selected students are encouraged to study mathematics, science, engineering or computer science by interacting with engineers at NASA.
The only cost to participants is a $30 registration fee. NASA covers travel, food and lodging. NCAS is open to community college students throughout the United States. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have access to the internet.
Applications are due Nov.15, 2011.
For more information and to apply online, visit http://ncas.aerospacescholars.org/
Questions about this opportunity should be directed to jsc-ncas@mail.nasa.gov.
Events
NASA Invites Twitter Fans To A Tweetup at Langley Research Center
WASHINGTON -- NASA is inviting its Twitter followers to register for a Tweetup and behind-the-scenes tour of the agency's first laboratory,NASA's Langley Research Center. NASA will host 50 social media guests from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, Nov. 8, at the Hampton, Va., facility.
The Tweetup will give participants the chance to have lunch with an astronaut, interact with NASA experts, and tour a wind tunnel, lunar habitat concept and the historic Landing and Impact Research Facility, where Neil Armstrong trained to land on the moon.
Established in 1917, Langley's current role at NASA includes aviation,science and space research. Langley researchers are testing space capsules for water landings, developing technologies to make aircraft faster, quieter, safer and greener, and studying Earth's atmosphere to understand global climate change.
Because NASA Langley is a government facility with restricted access, the Tweetup is open only to U.S. citizens. Registration opens at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 11, and closes at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13. NASA will randomly select 50 participants from online registrants.
For more information about the Tweetup and to register, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/tweetup
For more information about NASA's Langley Research Center, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/langley
NASA to Seek Applicants for Next Astronaut Candidate Class
In early November, NASA will seek applicants for its next class of astronaut candidates who will support long-duration missions to the International Space Station and future deep space exploration activities.
A bachelor's degree in engineering, science or mathematics and three years of relevant professional experience are required in order to be considered. Typically, successful applicants have significant qualifications in engineering or science, or extensive experience flying high-performance jet aircraft.
After applicant interviews and evaluations, NASA expects to announce the final selections in 2013 and training to begin that August.
For more information, visit http://astronauts.nasa.gov/.
Additional information about the Astronaut Candidate Program is available by calling the Astronaut Selection Office at 281-483-5907.
NASA and the Cleantech Open Partner in Robotics Challenge
WASHINGTON -- NASA has selected The Cleantech Open of Redwood, Calif., to manage the agency's Night Rover Challenge that will culminate in a competition in fall 2012. The event is a new Centennial Challenges prize competition seeking revolutionary energy storage technologies for future space robotic rover missions. NASA is offering a prize
purse of $1.5 million to challenge winners.
The Night Rover Challenge is to demonstrate solar energy collection and storage systems suitable for rovers to operate through several cycles of daylight and darkness. During daylight, systems can collect photons or thermal energy from the sun. During darkness, the stored energy would be used to move the rover toward a destination and to continue its exploration work.
"The Cleantech Open runs the world's largest clean technology business competition and is a proven leader in developing clean technology startup entrepreneurs" said Larry Cooper, program executive for NASA's Centennial Challenges Program at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "The team has significant experience in tech entrepreneurship and innovation, and access to expertise in aerospace, making them a great choice to manage the Night Rover challenge. We look forward to the competition and bringing together innovative teams with creative problem-solving ideas."
The objective of the competition is to encourage innovations in energy storage technology and system designs for space operations. In particular, NASA seeks solutions to meet the demands imposed by the daylight and darkness cycle on the moon. Energy innovations stemming from this challenge may be beneficial to broader terrestrial applications, including vehicles and renewable energy generation
systems.
The Cleantech Open team is partnering with YouNoodle Inc., a San Francisco-based startup to manage the competition. The Cleantech Open and YouNoodle will begin preparations for the challenge, publishing rules and registering competitors for the competition.
NASA's Centennial Challenges seek unconventional solutions to problems of interest to the agency and the nation. NASA provides the prize purse, but the competitions are managed by non-profit organizations that cover the cost of operations through commercial or private sponsorships. Competitors have included private companies, student groups and independent inventors working outside the traditional aerospace industry. Unlike contracts or grants, prizes are awarded only after solutions are demonstrated successfully.
There have been 21 Centennial Challenges competition events since 2005. NASA has awarded $4.5 million to 13 different challenge-winning teams. Centennial Challenges is one of the ten Space Technology programs, managed by NASA's Office of the Chief Technologist. For more information about the program and descriptions of each of the
challenge competitions, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/challenges
For updates on the Night Rover Challenge visit:
http://NightRover.org
For more information about NASA's Office of the Chief Technologist,
visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/oct