NASA Education Express Message — Oct. 15, 2015
Check out the following NASA opportunities for the education community. Full descriptions are listed below.
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New This Week!
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Free NASA Educator Professional Development Webinars
Audience: In-service, Pre-service, Home School and Informal Educators
Next Event Date: Oct. 15, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. EDT
NASA’s Global Precipitation Measurement Mission Launches the Olympic Mountain Experiment
Audience: K-12 Educators
Informational Webinar for Educators: Oct. 20, 2015
Science Campaign Dates: November 2015 – February 2016
NASA In Situ Resource Utilization Challenge
Audience: Educators and Students Ages 18 and Older
Entry Deadline: Dec. 3, 2015
2016 Space Exploration Educators Conference
Audience: K-12 Educators
Early Bird Registration Deadline: Dec. 11, 2015
Event Date: Feb. 4-6, 2016
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PREVIOUSLY PROMOTED OPPORTUNITIES…
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Undergraduate Student Instrument Project — 2015 Flight Research Opportunity
Audience: Higher Education Educators and Students
Required Notice of Intent Deadline: Oct. 15, 2015
NASA Kentucky EPSCoR 2015-2016 Request for Proposals
Audience: Higher Education Institutions in Kentucky
Application Deadline: Oct. 15, 2015
NASA Swarmathon: Seeking College Students for Swarming Robotics Competition!
Audience: Higher Education Students
Application Deadline: Oct. 15, 2015
Solar System Ambassadors Program Accepting Applications
Audience: All Educators
Application Deadline: Oct. 15, 2015
Cast Your Vote in the Ceres “Bright Spot” Mystery Poll
Audience: All Educators and Students
Earth Science Week 2015 Contests
Audience: All Educators and Students
Entry Deadline: Oct. 16, 2015
Smithsonian TechQuest: Astronaut Academy
Audience: Designed for Families With Children Ages 10 to 14, but Open to All
Next Event Date: Oct. 17, 2015, 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. EDT
Center for Astronomy Education Teaching Excellence Workshops — Fall/Winter 2015-16
Audience: Higher Education Educators and Students
Next Event Date: Oct. 17, 2015
White House Astronomy Night
Audience: All Educators and Students
Event Date: Oct. 19, 2015
“Where Over the World Is Astronaut Scott Kelly?” Geography From Space Trivia Contest
Audience: All Educators and Students
Deadline: Ongoing Through March 2016
Free ‘Ask an Expert’ Series Presented by Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum
Audience: All Educators and Students
Next Event Date: Oct. 21, 2015, at Noon EDT
Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum Presents “STEM in 30” Webcast Series
Audience: Grades 6-8 Educators and Students
Next Webcast Date: Oct. 21, 2015, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. EDT
National Science Foundation’s East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes Fellowship Program
Audience: U.S. Graduate Students
Informational Webinar: Oct. 23, 2015, at 2 p.m. EDT
Application Deadline: Nov. 12, 2015
White House Office of Science and Technology Policy’s Spring 2016 Policy Internship Program
Audience: Higher Education Students
Application Deadline: Oct. 30, 2015
Host a Real-Time Conversation With Crew Members Aboard the International Space Station
Audience: All Educators
Proposal Deadline: Nov. 1, 2015
NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellowships
Audience: Higher Education Educators and Students
Next Application Deadline: November 1, 2015
#WhySpaceMatters Photography Competition
Audience: All Educators and Students
Next Deadline: Nov. 10, 2015
Student Spaceflight Experiments Program — Mission 10 to the International Space Station
Audience: School Districts Serving Grades 5-12, Informal Education Institutions, Colleges and Universities
Inquiry Deadline: Nov. 13, 2015
2016 BIG Idea Challenge
Audience: Higher Education Students and Faculty
Entry Deadline: Nov. 15, 2015
Call for Proposals — NASA Research Announcement for Competitive Program for Science Museums, Planetariums and NASA Visitor Centers Plus Other Opportunities (CP4SMPVC+)
Audience: Formal and Informal Education Institutions
Proposal Deadline: Dec. 7, 2015
Army Educational Outreach Program’s eCYBERMISSION Competition
Audience: Students in Grades 6-9
Registration Deadline: Dec. 17, 2015
New Interactive Education Event from NASA’s Digital Learning Network: Surviving and Thriving on Mars
Audience: Educators of Grades 6-12
Event Dates: Available Through Dec. 31, 2015
Free “NASA’s Journey to Mars” Planetarium/Dome Show
Audience: All Formal and Informal Educators
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Don’t miss out on upcoming NASA education opportunities.
For a full list of events, opportunities and more, visit the Educator and Student Current Opportunity pages on NASA’s website:
— Educators http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/current-opps-index.html
— Students http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/current-opps-index.html
Are you looking for NASA educational materials to support your STEM curriculum? Search hundreds of resources by subject, grade level, type and keyword at http://www.nasa.gov/education/resources/.
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NEW THIS WEEK!
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Free NASA Educator Professional Development Webinars
The NASA STEM Educator Professional Development Collaborative at Texas State University is presenting a series of free webinars open to all educators. Join NASA education specialists to learn about activities, lesson plans, educator guides and resources that bring NASA into your classroom. Registration is required to participate. Simply click on the link provided beneath the webinar description to register.
Moving Through Space: Multidimensional Kinematics
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades 8-12
Event Date: Oct. 15, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. EDT
NASA education specialists will present participants with an overview of resources for describing motion in multiple dimensions. Discussion will include modifications of activities and accommodations. This webinar addresses the Next Generation Science Standard PS2. Register online to participate. https://www.etouches.com/138143
Earth Right Now: Review NASA Wavelength Digital Library of STEM Resources
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades 4-10
Event Date: Oct. 19, 2015, at 6 p.m. EDT
Explore the NASA Wavelength website! This online catalog features NASA Earth and space science resources that have undergone a peer-review process through which educators and scientists ensure the content is accurate and useful in an educational setting. NASA Wavelength lets users locate resources quickly and easily, connect the resources to other websites using atom feeds, and even share the resources with others through social media and email. Register online to participate. https://www.etouches.com/139285
Earth Right Now: Measuring Precipitation Across the Globe
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades 6-8
Event Date: Oct. 20, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. EDT
Learn how data is gathered during hurricanes and how essential it is for scientists to forecast how much precipitation to expect. The lessons and activities discussed in the webinar are aligned to Next Generation Science Standards. Register online to participate. https://www.etouches.com/141386
Earth Right Now: Investigating the Climate System
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades 5-8
Event Date: Oct. 21, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. EDT
Get an overview of the Investigating the Climate System educator guide. This guide features problem-based learning investigations that address Next Generation Science Standard ESS2. Discussion will include modifications of activities and accommodations. Register online to participate. https://www.etouches.com/138142
Earth Right Now: Aerosols, Clouds and Climate
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades 2-9
Event Date: Oct. 22, 2015, at 6 p.m. EDT
Discover NASA-inspired activities that help students experience hands-on learning and participate in scientific research related to clouds and aerosols and their impact on Earth’s climate. Activities will include the new Aerosol GLOBE Elementary book; the Students’ Cloud Observation On-Line project, also known as S’COOL; and the National Climate Assessment. Register online to participate. https://www.etouches.com/144180
Journey to M*A*R*S (Martian Advanced Resources for Survival): Being Mobile on Mars
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades K-12
Event Date: Oct. 26, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. EDT
Learn what it takes to move around on Mars and how its gravity is different than Earth’s. Participants will learn about the Beginning Engineering Science & Technology, or BEST, curriculum and use the engineering design process to create a Mars rover. This webinar is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards. Register online to participate. https://www.etouches.com/145006
Earth Right Now: Fabulous NASA Resources for Teaching Climate Change
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades 5-8
Event Date: October 27, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. EDT
Participants will get an overview of what we know about climate change and how we know it. Enjoy simple chemistry activities, videos, games and student inventions. Find standards-based ways to teach and inspire students to think about our impact on the environment, economics and social change. Register online to participate. https://www.etouches.com/141948
Earth Right Now: Mission Geography
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades 4-12
Event Date: Oct. 28, 2015, at 6 p.m. EDT
NASA’s Mission Geography is a unique Earth-based curriculum that integrates STEM, geography and the language arts with earth observations, remote sensing and maps that investigate our Earth and the processes that shape it, both natural and human influenced. Utilizing the unique perspective from space, Mission Geography brings Earth to life with active, exciting student learning through the use of multidiscipline content and by modeling the processes of research and investigation. Register online to participate. https://www.etouches.com/143221
Earth Right Now: NASA’ Water Filtration Engineering Design Challenge — What’s This Drought Stuff Anyway?
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades 4-9
Event Date: Oct. 29, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. EDT
Let’s explore current and future water resources on our planet. How does NASA filter water on the International Space Station? How does Earth filter water? Register online to participate. https://www.etouches.com/141981
For a full schedule of upcoming NASA Educator Professional Development webinars, visit http://www.txstate-epdc.net/events/.
Please direct questions about this series of webinars to Steve Culivan at stephen.p.culivan@nasa.gov.
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NASA’s Global Precipitation Measurement Mission Launches the Olympic Mountain Experiment
The Olympic Mountain Experiment, or OLYMPEX, is a NASA-led field campaign taking place on the Olympic Peninsula of the state of Washington from November 2015 through February 2016. The goal of the campaign is to collect detailed atmospheric measurements that will be used to evaluate how well rain-observing satellites measure rainfall and snowfall from space.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission’s Core Observatory and other rain-observing satellites orbit Earth hundreds of miles above the ground. From that altitude, they have a clear view of clouds and storms. But to ensure that the satellite measurements of rainfall and snowfall are accurate from space, teams of scientists have set up ground instruments including rain gauges, advanced weather radar instruments, and balloon launching sites to monitor incoming storms. Simultaneously, they will collect data from three aircraft flying through and above rain clouds, as well as from the GPM Core Observatory and other rain-observing partner satellites when they pass overhead.
Educators are invited to attend an informational webinar about the campaign on Oct. 20, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. EDT. During the webinar, Dr. Lynn McMurdie of the University of Washington, project manager and senior research scientist for OLYMPEX, will discuss the specific scientific purposes of the project and why the Olympic Peninsula is a particularly significant locale for studying rain and snow. McMurdie also will discuss the tools and equipment used for measurements during the campaign. Additionally, Kristen Weaver, an education specialist for the GPM mission, will outline educational resources available to help your students learn about the campaign and the scientific work being done. To register for the webinar, visit http://pmm.nasa.gov/OLYMPEX/webinar-registration. The webinar will be recorded, and an archive made available afterward. Please fill out the registration form if you would like to ensure you receive the link to the recording, even if you will be unable to attend live.
For more information about the GPM OLYMPEX campaign, visit http://pmm.nasa.gov/OLYMPEX.
For more GPM OLYMPEX education materials, visit http://pmm.nasa.gov/education/OLYMPEX.
For more information about GPM, visit http://www.nasa.gov/gpm or http://gpm.nasa.gov.
Please email questions about this opportunity to Kristen Weaver at kristen.l.weaver@nasa.gov.
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NASA In Situ Resource Utilization Challenge
Living off the land is different when the land is 140 million miles away, so NASA is looking for innovative ideas to use in situ (in place) Martian resources to help establish a human presence on Mars.
The In Situ Resource Utilization Challenge offers the public an opportunity to submit designs for structures on the Red Planet that would use existing material. The agency plans to award $10,000 to the first-place winner, with $2,500 each for two second-place submissions.
One advantage of using Martian resources instead of bringing everything from Earth is the potential to save more than $100,000 per 2.2 pounds (1 kilogram) of cargo each launch.
The challenge is run by NineSigma Inc. as part of the NASA Tournament Lab. The NTL works across NASA and the federal government to provide crowd-based challenges as a way to solve difficult problems and get work done. The In Situ Resource Utilization Challenge is being conducted in collaboration with Swamp Works, a lab at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida dedicated to finding creative solutions for the problems that come with deep space exploration, including the Journey to Mars.
Entries are due Dec. 3, 2015. For more information about the challenge and how to enter, visit http://go.nasa.gov/1L4MSP6.
For more information about NASA’s Journey to Mars, visit http://www.nasa.gov/topics/journeytomars.
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2016 Space Exploration Educators Conference
Make plans to attend the 22nd Annual Space Exploration Educators Conference, to be held Feb. 4-6, 2016, at Space Center Houston. This conference is for all K-12 educators. Activities presented use space-related themes to teach across the curricula. The activities can be used for science, language arts, mathematics, history and more.
Attend sessions hosted by scientists and engineers working on exciting projects like the International Space Station and the exploration of Mars and other parts of our solar system. 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/education-programs/teacher-programs/teachers-seec/.
Please email any questions about the conference to seec@spacecenter.org.
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PREVIOUSLY PROMOTED OPPORTUNITIES…
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Undergraduate Student Instrument Project — 2015 Flight Research Opportunity
NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, in collaboration with the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, is seeking proposals from U.S. institutions of higher education for the Undergraduate Student Instrument Project’s Student Flight Research Opportunity. Proposals should outline plans to develop an undergraduate-led project team that will fly a science and/or technology payload relevant to NASA’s strategic goals and objectives on a sounding rocket, balloon, aircraft, suborbital reusable launch vehicle or CubeSat launched on an orbital launch vehicle.
Funding is available to all U.S. institutions of higher education (e.g., universities, four-year colleges, community colleges, or two-year institutions) and to institutions involved in the Space Grant program. Prospective project teams can be composed only of undergraduate students from U.S. institutions of higher education. Graduate students are not eligible to be project team members; however, they are encouraged to serve as mentors to the undergraduate student team and are permitted to request a mentoring stipend.
Interested institutions must submit a Notice of Intent by email by 11:59 p.m. EDT, Oct. 15, 2015. Proposals are due on Nov. 20, 2015.
For more information and instructions for submitting a proposal, visit http://go.nasa.gov/1WR586S .
Please direct questions about this request to David Pierce at david.l.pierce@nasa.gov.
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NASA Kentucky EPSCoR 2015-2016 Request for Proposals
The NASA Kentucky EPSCoR (Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) programs strengthen research capability in the state in areas of importance to NASA and Kentucky by promoting development of research infrastructure, improving capabilities to gain support outside EPSCoR, and developing partnerships with NASA.
Proposals will be accepted from institutions of higher education in Kentucky for Research Infrastructure Development Grants, or RIDG, with a funding level of $50,000 and for Workshop/Conference/Seminar, or WCS, Awards with funding levels of up to $3,000.
Applications are due Oct. 15, 2015.
For more information and instructions for submitting a proposal, visit http://nasa.engr.uky.edu/files/2015/08/RFP-16-002.pdf or the NASA Kentucky website at http://nasa.engr.uky.edu.
Please direct questions about this request to Jacob Owen at Jacob.Owen@uky.edu.
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NASA Swarmathon: Seeking College Students for Swarming Robotics Competition!
The Swarmathon is a NASA challenge to develop cooperative robotics to revolutionize space exploration. Selected teams will receive three Swarmie robots (valued at $6,000), training and instruction, a $1,000 stipend for their faculty member who is serving as their mentor, and a chance to compete against other teams from across the United States for a $5,000 cash prize.
The First Annual Swarmathon, will occur April 18-22, 2016, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Participants will be challenged to develop search algorithms for robotic swarms. Swarmathon participation will improve students’ skills in robotics and computer science, and further advance technology for future NASA space exploration missions.
NASA seeks students from Minority Serving Universities and Community Colleges to apply and compete. All teams must submit an online application by Oct. 15, 2015.
For more information, visit http://nasaswarmathon.com/.
Please direct questions about the NASA Swarmathon to Info@NASASwarmathon.com.
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Solar System Ambassadors Program Accepting Applications
The NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory Solar System Ambassadors Program, a nationwide network of space enthusiast volunteers, is accepting applications through Oct. 15, 2015.
Highly motivated individuals will be given the opportunity to represent NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory as volunteer SSAs to the public for a one-year, renewable term beginning Jan. 1, 2016.
While applications are being sought nationwide, interested parties from the following areas are especially encouraged to apply: Alaska, Delaware, Iowa, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, Wyoming, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. SSA hopes to add 100 new volunteers to the program in 2016.
To learn more about the SSA Program and to apply online, visit https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/ssa/home.cfm. The Announcement of Opportunity and application form are now available.
If you have questions about this opportunity, contact Kay Ferrari, SSA Coordinator, by email at ambassad@jpl.nasa.gov.
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Cast Your Vote in the Ceres “Bright Spot” Mystery Poll
On March 6, 2015, NASA’s Dawn spacecraft began orbiting Ceres, the largest body in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Even before the spacecraft arrived at the dwarf planet, images revealed mysterious bright spots that captivated scientists and observers alike.
Can you guess what’s creating those unusual bright spots on Ceres? Until Dawn gets a closer look over the next few months, it’s anyone’s guess what those spots could be.
To learn more and to cast your vote, visit http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/dawn/world_ceres/.
For more information about the Dawn mission, visit http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov/.
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Earth Science Week 2015 Contests
The American Geosciences Institute is sponsoring a series of contests to celebrate Earth Science Week 2015. This year’s celebration takes place Oct. 11-17, 2015.
Earth Science Week 2015 Photography Contest — Open to All Ages
http://www.earthsciweek.org/contests/photography/index.html
Geoscientists study our planet’s geosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), atmosphere (air), and biosphere (living things). These spheres — or Earth systems — continually affect and influence one another. With a camera, you can capture evidence of the dynamic impact of change processes in your home, neighborhood, school, workplace or local public spaces. In a photo, show at least one Earth system affecting another Earth system in your community.
Earth Science Week 2015 Visual Arts Contest — Open to Students in Grades K-5
http://www.earthsciweek.org/contests/visualarts/index.html
Earth science is the study of Earth systems — land, water, air and living things. Scientists pay special attention to the ways these things affect each other, such as the way wind shapes the landscape or falling rain nourishes plants. Use artwork to show how land, water, air and living things interact in the world around you.
Earth Science Week 2015 Essay Contest — Open to Students in Grades 6-9
http://www.earthsciweek.org/contests/essay/index.html
Since the earliest hand-drawn maps and diagrams, “visualization” has been an important way of explaining and understanding the interactions of land, water, air and living things. Earth scientists today use more sophisticated technology to monitor and represent these Earth systems — the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. In an original essay no more than 300 words in length, explain one way that geoscientists’ use of cutting-edge visualization is advancing Earth science today.
The entry deadline for all three contests is Oct. 16, 2015. Visit the contest websites for full details.
If you have any questions about these contests, please email the Earth Science Week staff at info@earthsciweek.org.
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Smithsonian TechQuest: Astronaut Academy
Smithsonian TechQuest: Astronaut Academy, at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, is a free alternate-reality game that will challenge you to become an astronaut-in-training for a future trip to Mars. Choose what role you will play on the mission; engage in fun interactive activities; and explore the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skills you will need as a next-generation space traveler. Along the way, you’ll learn about some of the museum’s fascinating artifacts.
Instructions and guidance are given via a special webpage accessed on your mobile device. Players should bring their own phones or devices equipped with an internet browser and a camera. Having a digital picture-taking device (smartphone, tablet, camera) is highly recommended but not required.
The game is aimed at upper elementary and middle school visitors and their families. Do you want to bring a group? Reservations are required for groups larger than 15.
The next offering of the Astronaut Academy is on Oct. 17, 2015. Begin your training with Astronaut Orientation in the Claude Moore Education Center Classroom 1 located on the first level across from the restrooms. Astronaut Orientation is offered at regular intervals between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The last opportunity to start the game is at 2:30 p.m. A self-guided activity, the game should take between 60 and 90 minutes, and staff will help you along the way.
For more information, including a full list of upcoming Astronaut Academy dates, visit http://airandspace.si.edu/events/techquest/.
Please direct questions about the Smithsonian TechQuest: Astronaut Academy to the visitor service line at 202-633-2214.
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Center for Astronomy Education Teaching Excellence Workshops — Fall/Winter 2015-16
NASA’s Center for Astronomy Education, or CAE, announces a series of educator workshops for astronomy and space science educators.
These workshops provide participants with experiences needed to create effective and productive active-learning classroom environments. Workshop leaders model best practices in implementing many different classroom-tested instructional strategies. But more importantly, workshop participants will gain first-hand experience implementing these proven strategies. During many microteaching events, you will have the opportunity to role-play the parts of student and instructor. You will assess and critique each other’s implementation in real time as part of a supportive learning community. You will have the opportunity to use unfamiliar teaching techniques in collaboration with mentors before using them with your students. CAE is funded through NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Exoplanet Exploration Program.
Oct. 17, 2015– Everett Community College in Everett, Washington
CAE Northwest Regional Teaching Exchange
November 2015 — American Center for Physics in College Park, Maryland
New Faculty Workshop for Physics and Astronomy
Jan. 3-4, 2016– Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Kissimmee, Florida
CAE Tier I Teaching Excellence Workshop for Current and Future Astronomy and Space Science Instructors
For more information and to register for workshops online, visit http://astronomy101.jpl.nasa.gov/workshops/index.cfm.
Inquiries about this series of workshops should be directed to Gina Brissenden at gbrissenden@as.arizona.edu.
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White House Astronomy Night
The White House is hosting an Astronomy Night on Oct. 19, 2015. The event will bring together scientists, engineers and visionaries from astronomy and the space industry to share their experiences with students and teachers as they spend an evening stargazing from the South Lawn.
Scientists and amateur astronomers across the country are invited to join the celebration by hosting their own events at observatories, schools, planetariums, museums and astronomy clubs. If you or your organization is interested in hosting a night of observing the stars or a watch party in conjunction with the White House Astronomy Night, share your plans by visiting https://www.whitehouse.gov/webform/astronomy-night-share-your-supporting-event.
In addition, if you are a part of a professional society, university, foundation or another organization, you can get involved by making a commitment to expand access to great STEM experiences for more students and adults. If you want to take new actions to help inspire and educate the next generation of scientists, engineers and inventors, send an email to AstronomyNight@ostp.gov to share the new commitments you’re ready to make.
To learn more about White House Astronomy Night, visit https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/08/21/white-house-astronomy-night-celebration-science-technology-and-space.
Please direct questions about the White House Astronomy Night event to AstronomyNight@ostp.gov.
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“Where Over the World Is Astronaut Scott Kelly?” Geography From Space Trivia Contest
During his year-long stay on the International Space Station, astronaut Scott Kelly wants to test your knowledge of the world through a geography trivia game on Twitter. Traveling more than 220 miles above Earth, and at 17,500 miles per hour, he circumnavigates the globe more than a dozen times a day. This gives Kelly the opportunity to see and photograph various geographical locations on Earth. In fact, part of his job while in space is to capture images of Earth for scientific observations.
Follow @StationCDRKelly on Twitter. Each Wednesday, Kelly will tweet a picture and ask the public to identify the place depicted in the photo. The first person to identify the place correctly will win an autographed copy of the picture. Kelly plans to continue posting weekly contest photos until he returns from the space station in March 2016.
For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/feature/where-over-the-world-is-astronaut-scott-kelly.
To learn more about the One-Year Mission, visit http://www.nasa.gov/content/one-year-crew.
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Free ‘Ask an Expert’ Series Presented by Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum
Join the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., for a series of “Ask an Expert” events. Each 15-minute discussion is presented by a member of the museum staff at Noon EDT at the museum’s “Great Seal” in the Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall on the first floor.
Upcoming space-related discussions include:
Oct. 21, 2015 — Laika: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
http://airandspace.si.edu/events/detail.cfm?id=18049
Join Cathleen Lewis for a discussion about Laika, the Russian dog who became the first animal to orbit Earth. Launched by the Soviet Union on Nov. 3, 1957, Laika helped pave the way to human spaceflight.
Oct. 28, 2015 — The Solar Wall
http://airandspace.si.edu/events/detail.cfm?id=18050
Join David DeVorkin for a discussion about the museum’s Dynamic Sun Video Wall. Get up close for a high-definition view of the high-energy sun in action over the past 48 hours. Learn how the images are acquired and find out about the solar features they reveal.
For more information about the “Ask an Expert” series, visit http://airandspace.si.edu/events/ask-an-expert/.
Please direct questions about this series to the Visitor Service line at 202-633-2214.
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Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum Presents “STEM in 30” Webcast Series
The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum is presenting a series of free education webcast events called “STEM in 30.” This new program consists of live, fast-paced 30-minute webcasts designed to increase interest and engagement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics for students. To enhance the learning experience, students can get involved with the content through the interactive “Cover It Live” feature, which includes poll questions and classroom activities. The webcasts will be available live on the National Air and Space Museum website and will be archived for on-demand viewing.
Mars
Oct. 21, 2015, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. EDT
A current elementary or middle school student will most likely be the first human to step foot on Mars. Investigate the plans to send humans to Mars and the ongoing research into water and the possibility of life on the Red Planet.
Wilbur and Orville Wright: The Bicycle Guys
Dec. 17, 2015, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. EST
Before they built airplanes, the Wright brothers built bicycles. Take a look at how bicycle parts ended up on the first airplane and how engineers throughout history and today have transferred technology from one field to another just like the Wright brothers.
Mars Rovers
March 16, 2016, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. EDT
Two separate rovers are traversing Mars right this instant. It took many people and thousands of parts (many of them made of titanium) to build these rovers. Explore the construction of the Mars rovers as well as the science that is being done 140 million miles away on the Red Planet.
“STEM in 30” webcasts are online learning experiences but are filmed in front of a live audience. If you are interested in bringing your school group to a live filming of “STEM in 30,” please email STEMin30@si.edu for details.
For more information about the Smithsonian’s “STEM in 30” Webcast Series and to see a complete list of upcoming events, visit http://airandspace.si.edu/explore-and-learn/stem-in-30/.
Questions about this series should be directed to the visitor service line at 202-633-2214.
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National Science Foundation’s East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes Fellowship Program
The National Science Foundation is accepting applications for its East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes, or EAPSI, Fellowship Program. This program provides U.S. graduate students in science, engineering and education with an opportunity to spend eight weeks during the summer conducting research at one of seven host locations in East Asia and the Pacific. Host locations are Australia, China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan. The program is a collaboration between NSF and counterpart agencies in each host location.
EAPSI is open to graduate students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and are enrolled in a research-oriented master’s or doctoral program in science or engineering. Applicants must propose a research project in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics field supported by NSF. Applicants identify and contact host researchers on their own prior to submitting their EAPSI proposals. Lists of prospective host institutions are available at the opportunity website.
NSF provides EAPSI Fellows with a $5,000 stipend and roundtrip airplane ticket to the host location. The program’s foreign counterparts provide in-country living expenses and accommodations. (Arrangements vary by host location.)
The application submission deadline for summer 2016 is Nov. 12, 2015.
For additional information about the program, including location-specific handbooks, a How to Apply guide and helpful tips for applicants, visit www.nsf.gov/eapsi.
An EAPSI Informational Webinar will be conducted on Friday, Oct. 23, 2015, at 2 p.m. EDT. Log-in instructions are available at www.nsf.gov/eapsi.
Questions about this fellowship opportunity should be directed to eapsi@nsf.gov.
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White House Office of Science and Technology Policy’s Spring 2016 Policy Internship Program
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy is seeking students for spring 2016 internships. The OSTP advises the President on the effects of science and technology on domestic and international affairs. The office serves as a source of scientific and technological analyses and judgment for the president with respect to major policies, plans and programs of the federal government.
Policy internships are open to interested students from all majors and programs, including law school programs. Applicants must be U.S. citizens who are enrolled, at least half-time, in an accredited college or university during the period of volunteer service. Students in undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in all fields are encouraged to apply.
While these positions are without compensation, the assignments provide educational enrichment, practical work experience and networking opportunities with other individuals in the science and technology policy arena.
Applications for spring 2016 internships are due Oct. 30, 2015.
For more information, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ostp/about/student.
If you have questions about this opportunity, please contact Rebecca Grimm at Rebecca_L_Grimm@ostp.eop.gov.
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Host a Real-Time Conversation With Crew Members Aboard the International Space Station
ARISS-US is now accepting proposals from U.S. schools, museums, science centers and community youth organizations to host an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, or ARISS, contact between July 1 – Dec. 31, 2016. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS-US is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan. Proposals are due Nov. 1, 2015.
Using amateur radio, students can ask astronauts questions about life in space and other space-related topics. Students fully engage in the ARISS contact by helping set up an amateur radio ground station at the school and then using that station to talk directly with a crew member on the International Space Station for approximately 10 minutes. ARISS provides experienced mentors and relies on local amateur radio volunteers to help organizations obtain the technology required to host this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students.
For proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and proposal form, visit http://www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact.
ARISS-US is offered through a partnership between NASA; the American Radio Relay League, or ARRL; and the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, or AMSAT. ARISS was created and is managed by an international working group, including several countries in Europe as well as Japan, Russia, Canada, and the USA.
Questions about this opportunity should be emailed to ariss@arrl.org.
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NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellowships
The NASA Postdoctoral Program, or NPP, supports NASA’s goal to expand scientific understanding of the Earth and the universe in which we live.
Selected by a competitive peer-review process, NPP fellows complete one- to three-year fellowships that offer scientists and engineers unique opportunities to conduct research in fields of science relevant to NASA.
These opportunities advance NASA’s missions in earth science, heliophysics, astrophysics, planetary science, astrobiology, space bioscience, aeronautics and engineering, human exploration and operations, and space technology. Opportunities are available at NASA centers and other NASA-approved sites.
As a result, NPP fellows contribute to national priorities for scientific exploration, confirm NASA’s leadership in fundamental research and complement the efforts of NASA’s partners in the national science community.
U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents and foreign nationals eligible for J-1 status as a research scholar may apply. Applicants must have completed a doctorate or equivalent degree before beginning the fellowship, but may apply while completing degree requirements. Applicants who earned the Ph.D. more than five years before the deadline date are categorized as senior fellows; all applicants, no matter their category, must apply and become eligible for an NPP award via the same process.
Interested applicants may apply by one of three annual application deadlines: March 1, July 1 and November 1.
For more information and application procedures, go to http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc/.
Questions about this opportunity should be directed to nasapostdoc@orau.org.
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#WhySpaceMatters Photography Competition
NASA and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, or UNOOSA, have launched a global photography competition to highlight how the vantage point of space helps us better understand our home planet, improve lives, and safeguard our future by aiding sustainable development on Earth.
To highlight the role of space-based science and technologies and their applications on Earth, NASA and UNOOSA are inviting the public to submit photos depicting why space matters to us all in our daily lives. To participate, post a picture and description on Instagram using the hashtag #whyspacematters and tagging @UNOOSA.
NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, who is on a one-year mission aboard the International Space Station, will announce the winning photo each month by posting it from his Instagram account @StationCDRKelly.
For more information about the competition, visit http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/contests/whyspacematters/index.html.
For more information about the International Space Station and the One-Year Mission, visit http://www.nasa.gov/content/one-year-crew.
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Student Spaceflight Experiments Program — Mission 10 to the International Space Station
The National Center for Earth and Space Science Education and the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Space Education, in partnership with NanoRacks LLC, announce an authentic science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, opportunity for school districts across the U.S. and space station partner nations. The newest flight opportunity, Mission 10 to the International Space Station, or ISS, gives students across a community the ability to design and propose real experiments to fly in low-Earth orbit on the ISS. This opportunity is part of the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program, or SSEP.
Each participating community will receive a real microgravity research minilaboratory capable of supporting a single microgravity experiment and all launch services to fly the minilab to the space station in fall 2016 and return it to Earth. An experiment design competition in each community — engaging typically 300+ students — allows student teams to design and propose real experiments vying for their community′s reserved minilab. Content resources for teachers and students support foundational instruction on science in microgravity and experimental design. Additional SSEP programming leverages the experiment design competition to engage the community, embracing a learning community model for STEM education.
This competition is open to students in grades 5-12 and college. Informal education groups and organizations are also encouraged to participate. Interested communities must inquire about the program no later than Nov. 13, 2015. The National Center for Earth and Space Science Education is available to help interested communities in the U.S. secure the needed funding.
To learn more about this opportunity, visit the SSEP Mission 10 to International Space Station National Announcement of Opportunity at http://ssep.ncesse.org/2015/10/new-flight-opportunity-for-school-districts-announcing-student-spaceflight-experiments-program-ssep-mission-10-to-the-international-space-station-starting-february-2016/.
SSEP is enabled through a strategic partnership with NanoRacks LLC working with NASA under a Space Act Agreement as part of the utilization of the International Space Station as a national laboratory. The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (http://www.iss-casis.org/) is a national partner on SSEP. To view a list of all SSEP national partners, visit http://ssep.ncesse.org/national-partners/.
If you have any questions about this opportunity, please email SSEP National Program Director Jeff Goldstein at jeffgoldstein@ncesse.org.
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2016 BIG Idea Challenge
NASA’s Game Changing Development Program and the National Institute of Aerospace announce the 2016 Breakthrough, Innovative, and Game-changing Idea Challenge. The BIG Idea Challenge seeks novel and robust ideas and applications for generating lift using Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator, or HIAD, technology. Concepts can engage new approaches such as shape morphing and pneumatic actuation to dynamically alter the HIAD inflatable structure. Teams will design and analyze potential concepts and systems to provide the ability to achieve a modulated lift-to-drag ratio of 0.2 to 0.5 during hypersonic entry.
Interested teams of three to five undergraduate and/or graduate students will submit white papers describing their BIG Idea. Selected teams will continue in the competition by submitting full technical papers on the concept. These efforts will culminate in up to four teams being asked to present their concept to a panel of NASA judges at the 2016 BIG Idea Forum to be held in April 2016 at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia.
Each selected team will receive a $6,000 stipend to facilitate full participation in the forum. BIG Idea Challenge winners will receive offers to participate in paid internships with the Game Changing Development Program team at NASA Langley where they can potentially work towards a flight test of their concept.
Teams must submit the project design white paper by Nov. 15, 2015.
For more information about this competition, please visit http://BigIdea.nianet.org.
Please direct questions about this competition to BigIdea@nianet.org.
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Call for Proposals — NASA Research Announcement for Competitive Program for Science Museums, Planetariums and NASA Visitor Centers Plus Other Opportunities (CP4SMPVC+)
The NASA Office of Education invites proposals from museums, science centers, planetariums, NASA Visitor Centers, youth-serving organizations, and other eligible nonprofit institutions via this 2015 NASA Research Announcement: Competitive Program for Science Museums, Planetariums and NASA Visitor Centers Plus Other Opportunities (CP4SMPVC+), Announcement Number NNH15ZHA001N. Proposals must be submitted electronically via the NASA proposal data system NSPIRES or Grants.gov.
Proposers may request a grant or cooperative agreement to support NASA-themed science, technology, engineering or mathematics education, including exhibits, within these congressionally directed topics: space exploration, aeronautics, space science, Earth science or microgravity. CP4SMPVC+ is a competitive, high-quality, national program. The basic goal of the CP4SMPVC+ solicitation is to further NASA Strategic Objective 2.4: “Advance the Nation’s STEM education and workforce pipeline by working collaboratively with other agencies to engage students, teachers, and faculty in NASA’s missions and unique assets.”
Eligible institutions do not need to have the words “museum,” “visitor center,” “science,” “planetarium,” or “youth” in their official name, but they must be located in the United States or its Territories. See the NRA for full eligibility requirements and other limitations. Check the NSPIRES website once a week to learn if amendments or frequently asked questions have been added. Amendments and FAQs also will be announced via the NASA Education EXPRESS listserv.
Full proposals are due Dec. 7, 2015.
For more information about this opportunity, visit NSPIRES at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?method=init&solId={6105DEEC-925A-A216-322B-8E3B34FA2B07}&path=open.
If you have any questions about this opportunity, please direct your questions to the Points of Contact listed within the NRA.
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Army Educational Outreach Program’s eCYBERMISSION Competition
Registration is open for the Army Educational Outreach Program’s new eCYBERMISSION competition. This Web-based competition, free to students in grades 6–9, challenges teams to compete for state, regional and national awards while working to solve real problems in their community. Teams compete for awards up to $9,000 in U.S. savings bonds.
Registration for student teams is open until Dec. 17, 2015. Teams have until Feb. 25, 2016, to submit their science project, commonly referred to as the Mission Folder — the official write-up of their project. During this period, eCYBERMISSION provides a wealth of online resources for student teams and team advisors to assist with project completion. Included in available online resources are eCYBERMISSION CyberGuide Live Chats, which allow teams to ask questions about their projects virtually to volunteer STEM experts who answer in real-time.
Registration is also open to professionals who are interested in participating as volunteers — Virtual Judges, Ambassadors, and/or CyberGuides — to help build students’ interest in STEM.
For more information, visit http://www.ecybermission.com/.
Please direct questions about this competition to missioncontrol@eCYBERMISSION.com.
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New Interactive Education Event from NASA’s Digital Learning Network: Surviving and Thriving on Mars
NASA’s Digital Learning Network, or DLN, is presenting a new videoconferencing event focusing on the challenges that must be met in order to survive a long-duration stay on the planet Mars.
Join the DLN via a virtual classroom to explore the movie “The Martian,” and discuss some of the challenges NASA astronauts must overcome to survive on the Red Planet. Throughout the program, we will reference scenes from the movie to determine if the events presented are science fiction or science fact. The lesson focuses on why we want to travel to Mars, the shelter that is needed to survive there, the protocols needed to maintain health during long-duration space travel and the communication technologies necessary in order to survive and thrive on the fourth planet from the sun.
As schedules allow, subject matter experts from NASA’s Mars investigations will join interactively with those classrooms participating in these modules.
Prepare your students for this event by accessing lessons and activities in NASA’s Mars Survival Kit at http://go.nasa.gov/1NnZ0Rg.
To learn more about this module and other offerings from NASA’s Digital Learning Network, visit http://www.nasa.gov/dln.
Please direct questions about this opportunity to dlinfochannel@gmail.com.
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Free “NASA’s Journey to Mars” Planetarium/Dome Show
Are you looking for ways to prepare your students for STEM-related career opportunities in the future? Do you want to spark their interest in pushing the boundaries of technology and innovation? Right now, NASA’s fleet of Mars robotic explorers is paving the way for human exploration of the solar system in the coming decades. Have your students join NASA in preparing for a monumental journey of a lifetime — to Mars!
“NASA’s Journey to Mars” is a short planetarium presentation that can be used in the educational domes of your school district, as well as local planetariums, to inspire interest in STEM. To learn more, including how you can acquire the show for use in your area, visit https://www.nasa.gov/feature/journey-of-a-lifetime-mars-education-resources/.
Please direct questions about the “NASA’s Journey to Mars” planetarium/dome show to Elsie Weigel at elsie.weigel@nasa.gov.
