Major STEM Opp (G5-16 ) September 2015 – Student Experiments on Int’l Space Station

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The National Center for Earth and Space Science Education, the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Space Education, and NanoRacks announce Mission 9 to the International Space Station. This STEM education opportunity immerses grade 5-16 (pre-college and 2- and 4-year college and university) students across a community in an authentic, high visibility research experience, where student teams design and propose real microgravity experiments to fly in low Earth orbit on the International Space Station. The program nurtures ownership in learning, critical thinking, problem solving, navigation of an interdisciplinary landscape, and communication skills – all reflective of the Next Generation Science Standards, the skills needed by professional scientists and engineers, and the skills desired by 21st century employers.

Each participating community will be provided a real microgravity research mini-laboratory capable of supporting a single experiment, and all launch services to fly the experiment to the International Space Station in Spring 2016, and return is safely to Earth for student harvesting and analysis. A 9-week experiment design competition in each community, held September through November 2015, and locally engaging typically 300 students, allows student teams to design and formally propose real experiments vying for their community’s reserved mini-lab on Space Station. A formal 2-step proposal review process, mirroring professional review, will determine the community’s flight experiment. Content resources for teachers and students support foundational instruction on science in microgravity and experimental design. Additional programming leverages the experiment design competition to engage the community, embracing a Learning Community Model for STEM education. This includes a local art and design competition for a Mission Patch to accompany the flight experiment to Station. SSEP is therefore more suitably characterized as a community-wide STEAM experience.

TIME CRITICAL: all interested communities are asked to inquire by April 30, 2015; schools and districts need to assess interest with their staff and, if appropriate, move forward with an Implementation Plan. Communities must be aboard by August 31, 2015, for a 9-week experiment design and proposal writing phase from September 7 to November 6, 2015. The flight experiment will be selected by December 17, 2015. Launch of the Mission 9 to ISS “Endeavor” experiments payload is expected in Spring 2016.

NEXT STEP: carefully read the SSEP Home page, which provides an Executive Summary of the Program and the Mission 9 to ISS Flight Opportunity: http://ssep.ncesse.org

Launching 2 Learn

The Launching 2 Learn (L2L) project is a four-week hands-on experience that teaches the science and math behind high power rockets (HPR). The central goal of the project is to contribute to retention efforts for the underserved and underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The project aims to increase STEM-literacy, raise confidence in technical abilities, and encourage students to continue with their pursuits of higher education in STEM fields. The experience will take place in summer 2015 at the NASA Kennedy Space Center, from July 6th through July 31st. The application deadline is April 20, 2015. The L2L project is designed for undergraduate freshman and sophomores majoring in STEM and related fields. Students with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and females are encouraged to apply.
https://intern.nasa.gov/ossi/web/public/guest/searchOpps/index.cfm?solarAction=view&id=12270

Student Receives $5,000 NASA STEM Scholarship

Student Receives $5,000 NASA STEM ScholarshipMichael Gallagher just received the exciting news that he was selected to receive a $5,000 scholarship from the Utah NASA Space Grant Consortium. He competed against 10 other students from the tech college in areas of Advanced Welding, Computer Aided Design, Industrial Automation Maintenance, Information Technology, Machining and Software Development.

Michael started at the Ogden Weber Tech College in January, 2015. In the short amount of time that he has been enrolled, he has demonstrated to his instructors that he has strong study and disciplinary skills. This discipline comes from serving in the Utah National Guard for eight years, including one deployment to Iraq. Michael’s progress and attendance are at 100%.

Michael states that in his research to decide what he wanted to do, Web Development resonated with him the most. He had an early introduction to this field as both his father and brother have been involved in the computer industry, with his brother currently working at the NASA Goddard Space Center.

With the ability to develop Web software applications, he sees the future of web development in the client-side/server-side scripting and network security configuration, as one that has no end to the possibilities. He would ultimately like to develop educational websites for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Michael has taken on schooling as his full-time job and is very committed to completing this program and continuing his education to receive a bachelor’s degree.

http://www.owatc.edu/2015/student-receives-5000-nasa-scholarship/

JSC Announces New Microgravity Student Research Opportunity

Micro-g NExT, or Micro-g Neutral Buoyancy Experiment Design Teams, challenges undergraduate students to design and build prototypes of spacewalk tools and then travel to Houston to test their prototypes in the simulated microgravity environment of NASA’s 6.2 million gallon indoor pool – the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL).  The NBL is the NASA training facility where astronauts train for spacewalks. Through this activity, the NBL is open to students for hands-on research.  Encourage students to apply for Micro-g NExT. The application deadline is January 28, 2015.

Learn more at https://microgravityuniversity.jsc.nasa.gov

NASA Selects Proposals to Increase STEM Education at Community and Technical Colleges

NASA’s Office of Education will award more than $17.3 million through the National Space Grant and Fellowship Program to increase student and faculty engagement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at community colleges and technical schools across the U.S. Each award has a two-year performance period and a maximum value of $500,000.

The 35 awards were granted after a solicitation to members of the national Space Grant Consortia. Winning proposals outlined ways to attract and retain more students from community and technical colleges in STEM curricula, develop stronger collaborations to increase student access to NASA’s STEM education content, and increase the number of students who advance from an associate to a bachelor’s degree.

To view a complete list of the awardees and their winning abstracts, visit: http://go.nasa.gov/1svsrWD

NASA Announces Next Opportunity for CubeSat Space Missions

NASA is opening the next round of its CubeSat Launch Initiative, part of the White House Maker Initiative, in an effort to engage the growing community of space enthusiasts that can contribute to NASA’s space exploration goals.

The CubeSat Launch Initiative gives students, teachers and faculty a chance to get hands-on flight hardware development experience in the process of designing, building and operating small research satellites. It also provides a low-cost pathway to space for research in the areas of science, exploration, technology development, education or operations consistent with NASA’s Strategic Plan.

Applicants must submit their proposals electronically by 4:30 p.m. EST, Nov. 25. NASA will select the payloads by Feb. 6, 2015, but selection does not guarantee a launch opportunity. Selected experiments are slated to be flown as auxiliary payloads on agency rocket launches or be deployed from the International Space Station beginning in 2015 and running through 2018. NASA does not provide funding for the development of the small satellites and this opportunity is open only to U.S. non-profit organizations and accredited educational organizations.

One goal of the CubeSat Launch Initiative is extend the successes of space exploration to all 50 states by launching a small satellite from at least one participant in each state in the next five years. To this end, NASA is particularly focused this round on gaining participation in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 21 states not previously selected for the CubeSat Launch Initiative. These states are: Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

CubeSats are in a class of research spacecraft called nanosatellites. The base CubeSat dimensions are about 4x4x4 inches (10x10x11 centimeters), which equals one “Cube,” or 1U. CubeSats supported by this launch effort include volumes of 1U, 2U, 3U, and 6U. CubeSats of 1U, 2U and 3U size typically have a mass of about three pounds (1.33 kilograms) per 1U Cube. A 6U CubeSat typically has a mass of about 26.5 pounds (12 kilograms). The CubeSat’s final mass depends on which deployment method is selected.

To date, NASA has selected 114 CubeSats from 29 states, 17 of which have already been launched. Nine more CubeSats are scheduled to go into space in the next 12 months

For additional information about NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative program, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/cubesats

Scholarship Announcements

NASA MUREP Scholarship Funding:

The NASA Office of Education is accepting applications for MUREP Scholars. The MUREP Scholarship is a competitive scholarship opportunity that focuses on underserved and underrepresented students in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines and students attending Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), thereby addressing the critical shortage of qualified STEM professionals that the nation is facing. Underserved and underrepresented STEM groups include but are not limited to women, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with military service.  MSIs include Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs) as recognized by the Department of Education.  Eligible students include rising freshman (high school graduating seniors or GED recipients not yet enrolled in college), sophomores and juniors, at the undergraduate level, who will complete their undergraduate degree in Spring 2016 or later and Minority Serving Institution community college students with at least two years remaining at the community college.  The goal is to address the agency’s mission-specific workforce needs and target areas of national need in minority STEM representation. The scholarship includes up to a $9,000 academic scholarship, not to exceed 75% of verified tuition, and a $6,000 stipend for a required Summer 2015 ten-week internship at a NASA center. The internship provides scholars with a unique NASA research experience and preparation for global competitiveness.   MUREP Scholarships cannot be concurrently accepted or combined with another US Government Federal scholarship or funding, irrespective of the scholar’s status.  Applications are due May 16, 2014.

 Applications should be submitted through the NASA One Stop Shopping Initiative at intern.nasa.gov .  Applicants should be sure to select “scholarship” for the type of application.

 NASA Scholarship Funding

The NASA Office of Education (OE) is accepting applications for NASA Scholars. The NASA Scholarship is a competitive opportunity that focuses on students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, disciplines, thereby addressing the critical shortage of qualified STEM professionals that the nation is facing.  Eligible students include rising freshman (high school graduating seniors or GED recipients not yet enrolled in college), sophomores and juniors, at the undergraduate level, who will complete their undergraduate degree in Spring 2016 or later and community college students with at least two years remaining at the community college. The goal is to address the agency’s mission-specific workforce needs. The scholarship includes up to a $9,000 academic scholarship, not to exceed 75% of verified tuition,  and a $6,000 stipend for a Summer 2015 10-week internship at a NASA center.  The internship provides scholars with a unique NASA research experience and preparation for global competitiveness.  NASA OE Scholarships cannot be concurrently accepted or combined with another US Government Federal scholarship or funding, irrespective of the Scholar’s Status.     

 Applications are due May 16, 2014.  Applications should be submitted through the NASA One Stop Shopping Initiative at intern.nasa.gov. Applicants should be sure to select “scholarship” for the type of application.

 NASA Aeronautics Scholarship:

NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) is directed toward enhancing the state of aeronautics for the nation, transforming the nation’s air transportation system, and developing the knowledge, tools, and technologies to support future air and space vehicles.  ARMD is undertaking a scholarship program focused on aeronautical research and related degree programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. 

Eligible undergraduate students should be pursuing an aeronautical engineering degree or related field of study at an accredited U.S. college or university and have at least two (2) years of full time study left to complete as of Fall 2014. Current undergraduate juniors are not eligible for undergraduate funding unless they expect to complete their undergraduate degree in Spring 2016 or later, or are in a joint baccalaureate-Master’s degree program with an expected completion date of Spring 2016 or later. 

 Eligible graduate students must have received or be on track to receive their bachelor’s degrees by Fall 2014. Scholarship awardees selected in Spring 2014 must begin their fellowship tenure by Fall 2014.  Potential applicants to the program may be in their final year of undergraduate study and already accepted into a master’s or doctoral program, or they may be currently enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program but will not receive their degree until at least Spring 2016.  Fields of study must have a focus on aeronautics-related research such as, but not limited to, air traffic management research and integrated vehicle health management.  

 The program is open only to applicants who are citizens or nationals of the United States.  Refer to Public Law 109-155-DEC. 30, 2005, 119 STAT. 2927, 42 USC 16741, Section 431 NASA Aeronautics Scholarships.  The term “nationals” refers to native residents of a possession of the United States such as American Samoa. It does not refer to a citizen of another country who has applied for U.S. citizenship. Persons who hold permanent resident status or foreign students are not eligible. Proof of citizenship will be required upon formal offer.

 The Undergraduate Award includes:

   Up to $15,000 awarded for each school year, to be used for education related expenses

   Summer internship at a NASA Research Center with a stipend in an amount up to $10,000

  The Graduate Award includes:

  $35,000 annual stipend

  Up to $11,000 awarded for each school year, to be used for tuition and other education related expenses

  Two (2) $10,000 Summer internship at a NASA Research Center

 Applications are due May 16, 2014,and should be submitted through the NASA One Stop Shopping Initiative at intern.nasa.gov. Applicants should be sure to select “scholarship” for the type of application and complete the supplemental aeronautics scholarship section.

NASA Traveling Exhibit at Clark Planetarium

Don’t miss the NASA Exploration Systems Directorate/Space Launch System (ESD/SLS) exhibit when it is on display at the Clark Planetarium. In partnership with ATK and NASA, the SLS exhibit will be open to the public February 26 – March 2, 2014.

credit: NASA

credit: NASA

Guests will be able to explore launch system and flight hardware with an interactive touch screen presentation, take an up-close look at a scale model of NASA’s next rocket, the Space Launch System and multi-purpose crew vehicle, the Orion space capsule. Visitors can also have their picture taken as an astronaut.

According to NASA: “The SLS will be NASA’s first exploration-class vehicle since the Saturn V took American astronauts to the moon over 40 years ago. With its superior lift capability, the SLS will expand our reach in the solar system, allowing astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft to explore multiple, deep-space destinations including near-Earth asteroids, Lagrange points, the moon and ultimately Mars.

A special Night Vision event will be held on Wednesday, February 26, 2014, for an up close look at NASA and the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. Clark Planetarium is pleased to welcome Alex Priskos, NASA’s SLS Boosters Manager, and NASA Astronaut Dominic “Tony” Antonelli for this special event.

The presentation will begin at 7 p.m. in the Hansen Dome Theatre. Tickets to the event are $2. Members get in free. Seating is limited. Thank you to ATK for sponsoring this event.

2014 NASA LARSS

Recruitment is ongoing for the NASA LARSS Program, a 10-week summer session with an extended  deadline of February 5, 2014.   The 10 week period is 6/2 – 8/08/2014 .  http://www.nianet.org/larss.  The LARSS program is a partnership between NASA, the National Institute of Aerospace (NIA), and the Virginia Space Grant Consortium as a sub-award to the NIA.

The Langley Aerospace Research Student Scholars (LARSS) Program is a paid, Center-unique, and highly competitive research internship program for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)  held onsite at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA.  Special project areas such as business, education, photography, history, finance, accounting and other areas are also accepted for consideration.   

Eligibiity Requirements:

• US citizenship

• Full-time student status at an accredited US college or university

• 3.0/4.0 scale

• Rising college junior and above

 

Female students and under-represented minorities, college students with disabilities, military veterans, first-generation college students, and students from economically-disadvantaged backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Note:  There is a Bridge option through the rising college sophomore level if the student has at least a 3.5 GPA and previous NASA Program experience.

Internship Stipend for 10 weeks full-time participants:

• $6000 Stipend for graduate students

• $5000 Stipend for rising college juniors and seniors

• $4000 Stipend for Rising freshmen and sophomores