NASA Education Express Message — May 12, 2016
New This Week!
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New YouTube Kids Playlist — The Solar System and Beyond: Kids Edition
Audience: All Educators and Students
Free NASA Educator Professional Development Webinars
Audience: In-service, Pre-service, Home School and Informal Educators
Next Event Date: May 12, 2016, at 6 p.m. EDT
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators
Audience: K-12 Educators
Application Deadline: May 16, 2016
U.S. Department of Education Accepting Applications for Investing in Innovation (i3) Development Competition
Audience: Local Educational Agencies and Nonprofit Organizations
Development Pre-application Deadline: May 25, 2016
U.S. Department of Education Accepting Applications for Charter Schools Program Grants for State Educational Agencies
Audience: State Educational Agencies in States With Statutes Specifically Authorizing the Establishment of Charter Schools
Application Deadline: June 1, 2016
U.S. Department of Education Accepting Applications for Magnet School Assistance Program Grants
Audience: Local Education Agencies, or a Consortia of LEAs
Application Deadline: June 1, 2016
NASA Makes Patents Available in Public Domain to Benefit U.S. Industry
Audience: Higher Education Educators and Students
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PREVIOUSLY PROMOTED OPPORTUNITIES…
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Smithsonian TechQuest: Astronaut Academy
Audience: Designed for Families With Children Ages 10 to 14, but Open to All
Next Event Date: May 13, 2016, 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. EDT
White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities — 2016 All-Star Students Program
Audience: Higher Education Students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Application Deadline: May 13, 2016
Federal Aviation Administration Graduate Research Award Program on Public Sector Aviation Issues
Audience: Graduate Students
Application Deadline: May 15, 2016
GLOBE El Niño Field Campaign and Webinar Series
Audience: K-12 Educators
Next Webinar Date: May 17, 2016, at 8 p.m. EDT
Space Shuttle Thermal Protective Tiles and Blankets Available for Educational Use
Audience: Educational Institutions, Museums and Other Education Organizations
Free Educator Workshop — Space Technology: Green Propellant Infusion Mission
Audience: K-12 and Informal Educators
Event Dates: May 18, 2016, 4:30-6 p.m. PDT
2016 von Kármán Lecture Series — Attend in Person or View Online
Audience: All Educators; Students in Grades 9-12 and Higher Education
Next Lecture Date: May 19, 2016, at 7 p.m. PDT (10 p.m. EDT)
Free Tours of Facilities at NASA’s Glenn Research Center
Audience: All Educators and Students
Next Event Date: May 21, 2016
DEADLINE EXTENDED: 2016 NASA Aeronautics Design Challenge: Distributed Electric Propulsion
Audience: Students at U.S. Colleges and Universities
Entry Deadline: May 23, 2016
Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum Presents “STEM in 30” Webcast Series
Audience: Grades 6-8 Educators and Students
Next Webcast Date: May 25, 2016, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. EDT
Smallsat Technology Partnerships Solicitation
Audience: Higher Education Educators and Students
Proposal Deadline: May 25, 2016
Student Spaceflight Experiments Program — Mission 11 to the International Space Station
Audience: School Districts Serving Grades 5-12, Informal Education Institutions, Colleges and Universities
Inquiry Deadline: May 27, 2016
Call for Proposals — Citizen Science for Earth Systems Program
Audience: Higher Education and Informal Education Institutions
Notice of Intent Request Date: May 27, 2016
Proposal Deadline: July 21, 2016
2016 National Academy of Engineering – Engineering for You Video Contest 3
Audience: All Educators and Students
Entry Deadline: May 31, 2016
NASA History Program Office Fall 2016 Internships
Audience: Higher Education Educators and Students
Fall 2016 Application Deadline: June 1, 2016
Call for Proposals: NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate’s University Leadership Initiative
Audience: Accredited, Degree-granting U.S. Colleges and Universities
Proposal Deadline: June 7, 2016
‘CineSpace’ Short Film Competition
Audience: All Educators and Students
Entry Deadline: July 31, 2016
National Science Foundation’s Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers
Audience: Organizations Interested in Implementing Pre-K-12 STEM Education Programs
Full Proposal Deadline: Aug. 10, 2016
National Science Foundation’s Advancing Informal STEM Learning Program
Audience: Organizations Interested in Advancing STEM Learning in Informal Environments
Full Proposal Deadline: Nov. 8, 2016
Call for Submissions — NASA Announcement for High Impact / Broad Implementation STEM Education Partnerships (EDUCATION01SP16)
Audience: Education Institutions and Organizations
Applications Accepted on a Rolling Basis Through Dec. 31, 2017
‘ISS: Science on Orbit’ Exhibit at U.S. Space & Rocket Center
Audience: All Educators and Students
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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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New YouTube Kids Playlist — The Solar System and Beyond: Kids Edition
Ready for liftoff? NASA has launched a new kids playlist of our videos that journey into the solar system and beyond on the YouTube Kids App. Learn something new about your celestial neighborhood!
Explore this new playlist here: https://kids.youtube.com/.
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Free Education Webinars From NASA Educator Professional Development
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. To register, simply click on the link provided beneath the webinar description.
Join Us on the Journey to Mars: Destination Mars — Super Models
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades 4-8
Event Date: May 12, 2016, at 6 p.m. EDT
Students you teach today may be the first explorers to Mars! How far will they have to travel to explore Mars? Is Mars big or small? This webinar will investigate those questions and explore Earth, the moon and Mars with NASA STEM activities that model the sizes of and distances between those bodies in our neighborhood. The activities presented in this session also address the Next Generation Science Standard MS-ESS1-3. Register online to participate. https://www.etouches.com/170334
Join Us on the Journey to Mars: “Drag Race to Mars” Engineering Design Challenge
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades 4-10
Event Date: May 16, 2016, at 4 p.m. EDT
Discover ways to teach forces and motion using a design challenge faced by NASA engineers as they tried to land the Curiosity rover safely and softly on Mars in August 2012. This webinar will focus on using simple, inexpensive materials to recreate the challenge with students in grades 4 through 10. The activity presented in this webinar addresses the Next Generation Science Standard PS2.A. Register online to participate. https://www.etouches.com/178714
Join Us on the Journey to Mars: Parachuting Onto Mars
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades 6-8
Event Date: May 17, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. EDT
Learn how to calculate surface area and measure the mass of a spacecraft. Participants will learn the design process behind the parachute system used on the Orion spacecraft. Mathematics concepts covered during the session will include expression and equations, geometry, quantitative relationships and problem solving. Register online to participate. https://www.etouches.com/177026
Earth Right Now: Atmosphere
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades K-12
Event Date: May 19, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. EDT
NASA’s fleet of satellites, its airborne missions and researchers address some of the critical challenges facing our planet today. Webinar participants will learn about clouds, contrails, Earth’s atmosphere and GLOBE, an international science and education program. GLOBE gives students the opportunity to participate in data collection and the scientific process and to contribute meaningfully to our understanding of the Earth system and the global environment. Register online to participate. https://www.etouches.com/178800
For a full schedule of upcoming 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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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is accepting applications for the Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators. This award recognizes outstanding K-12 teachers who employ innovative approaches to environmental education and use the environment as a context for learning.
Up to two teachers from each of EPA’s 10 regions will be selected to receive this award. Applicants will be evaluated based on five primary factors: innovation; achievement; service to the community and underserved populations; leadership; and integration of environmental education.
The White House Council on Environmental Quality, in partnership with EPA, administers this award to honor, support and encourage educators who incorporate environmental education in their classrooms and teaching methods.
Applications are due May 16, 2016.
For more information, visit http://go.usa.gov/3u7XQ.
Please direct questions about this award opportunity to piaee@epa.gov.
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U.S. Department of Education Accepting Applications for Investing in Innovation (i3) Development Competition
The U.S. Department of Education is seeking applications for the Investing in Innovation, or i3, Development competition. This grant competition encourages innovations that maximize students’ learning and engagement by transforming the school environment.
Applicants are tasked with presenting proposals to improve school climates and develop alternative strategies to exclusionary discipline. This allows schools, districts and their partners to build on the extensive work underway through the Administration’s #ReThinkDiscipline initiative. This year’s competition also focuses on fostering schools’ racial and socioeconomic diversity and on closing gaps in opportunity for underserved students. Consistent with past years, this competition promotes innovative strategies to support students and educators as they implement rigorous standards and aligned assessments, enhance students’ noncognitive skills, and serve students in rural areas.
Educators working with school districts, nonprofits and partner organizations may apply for grant awards up to $3 million. Pre-applications are due May 25, 2016.
For more information about this grant opportunity, please visit http://innovation.ed.gov/what-we-do/innovation/investing-in-innovation-i3/.
Please direct questions about this opportunity to Kelly Terpak at i3@ed.gov.
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U.S. Department of Education Accepting Applications for Charter Schools Program Grants for State Educational Agencies
The U.S. Department of Education is seeking applications for the Charter Schools Program Grants for State Educational Agencies. This grant competition has an estimated $160,000,000 in funds and anticipates making 8-12 awards.
The Charter Schools Program Grants for State Educational Agencies program is a competitive grant program that enables SEAs to run state-level grant competitions to support new high-quality public charter schools. The program also focuses on strengthening accountability across the charter school sector and on expanding access to high-quality charter schools for educationally disadvantaged students.
State educational agencies in states with a state statute specifically authorizing the establishment of charter schools may apply.
Applications are due June 1, 2016.
For more information about this grant opportunity, please visit http://innovation.ed.gov/what-we-do/charter-schools/charter-school-program-state-educational-agencies-sea/.
Please direct questions about this opportunity to Kathryn Meeley at Kathryn.Meeley@ed.gov.
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U.S. Department of Education Accepting Applications for Magnet School Assistance Program Grants
The U.S. Department of Education is seeking applications for the Magnet School Assistance Program. This program provides grants to local educational agencies to establish and operate magnet schools that are operated under a court-ordered or federally approved voluntary desegregation plan. These grants assist in the desegregation of public schools by supporting the elimination, reduction and prevention of minority group isolation in elementary and secondary schools with substantial numbers of minority group students.
Only local education agencies or consortia of local education agencies that are implementing court-ordered or federally approved voluntary desegregation plans that include magnet schools are eligible to apply. Private schools do not participate in this program.
Applications are due June 1, 2016.
For more information about this grant opportunity, please visit http://innovation.ed.gov/what-we-do/parental-options/magnet-school-assistance-program-msap/.
Please direct questions about this opportunity to msap.team@ed.gov.
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NASA Makes Patents Available in Public Domain to Benefit U.S. Industry
NASA has released 56 formerly patented agency technologies into the public domain, making its government-developed technologies freely available for unrestricted commercial use. In addition to the release of these technologies, a searchable database now is available that catalogs thousands of expired NASA patents already in the public domain.
Developed to advance NASA missions, these technologies may have non-aerospace applications. Commercial space ventures and other companies may use the technologies free of charge, thus eliminating the time, expense and paperwork often associated with licensing intellectual property. The technologies include advanced manufacturing processes, sensors, propulsion methods, rocket nozzles, thrusters, aircraft wing designs, and improved rocket safety and performance concepts.
These patents’ release is the latest in NASA’s long tradition of extending the benefits of its research and development into the public sector, where they may enhance the economy and quality of life for more Americans. The release also may help familiarize commercial space companies with NASA capabilities and result in new collaborations between NASA and private industry.
NASA’s patent portfolio, managed by the agency’s Technology Transfer Program, includes more than 1,000 technologies in categories such as manufacturing, optics and sensors and is available for industry use through licensing agreements.
To search the database of NASA-developed technologies now in the public domain, visit http://technology.nasa.gov/publicdomain.
To learn more about the Technology Transfer Program, visit http://technology.nasa.gov.
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PREVIOUSLY PROMOTED OPPORTUNITIES…
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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 May 13, 2016. 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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White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities — 2016 All-Star Students Program
The White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities works to promote HBCU excellence, innovation and sustainability. The Initiative will recognize current HBCU students for their dedication to academics, leadership and civic engagement as 2016 HBCU All-Star Students.
The appointment period will last approximately one year. During this time, HBCU All-Stars will serve as ambassadors of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities by providing outreach opportunities and communications to their fellow students about the value of education and the Initiative as a networking resource. Through social media and personal and professional relationships with community-based organizations, students will share promising and proven practices that support opportunities for all young people to realize their educational and career potential. The program will provide an opportunity to participate in regional and national events as well as webchats with Initiative staff and other professionals from a wide range of disciplines that support a spirit of engagement and personal and professional development.
Nominees must be current undergraduate, graduate or professional students at an HBCU. Students must be enrolled for the 2016-2017 fall semester. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EDT on May 13, 2016.
For more information and to download an application, visit http://sites.ed.gov/whhbcu/resources/hbcu-all-star-students/.
Please email any questions about this opportunity to hbcuallstars@ed.gov.
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Federal Aviation Administration Graduate Research Award Program on Public Sector Aviation Issues
The Airport Cooperative Research Program is seeking applicants for its Graduate Research Award Program on Public Sector Aviation Issues. Through this program, the ACRP strives to encourage applied research on airport and related aviation system issues and to foster the next generation of aviation community leaders. The program is intended to stimulate thought, discussion and research by those who may become the future airport managers, operators, designers and policy makers in aviation. The focus of this research program is on applied research to help the public sector continue to improve the quality, reliability, safety and security of the U.S. civil aviation system well into the foreseeable future.
The Graduate Research Award Program on Public Sector Aviation Issues will award up to 10 highly qualified applicants, selected by an ACRP panel of experts, a stipend of $10,000 each for successful completion of a research paper on a subject chosen by the candidate within the framework of the program’s purpose.
Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States, or have a current student visa. Each applicant also must be officially enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited North American institution of higher learning for the academic year in a graduate course leading to a master’s or doctoral degree. Proof of both may be required.
Applications are due May 15, 2016.
For more information, visit http://www.trb.org/ACRP/ACRPGraduateAwardProgram.aspx.
The ACRP Graduate Research Award Program on Public Sector Aviation Issues is sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration. Creating a selection panel, monitoring research progress, organizing a forum for presentation, and publishing the research papers are the responsibility of the ACRP of the Transportation Research Board. The Virginia Space Grant Consortium will manage the Graduate Research Award program under the ACRP’s direction.
Please direct questions about this opportunity to acrp@odu.edu.
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GLOBE El Niño Field Campaign and Webinar Series
El Niño and La Niña are important phenomena that can impact the climate by causing global flooding and droughts as well as changes in seasonal weather. These interactions around the world are called teleconnections. Because of the importance of this issue, a GLOBE ENSO (El Niño Southern Oscillation) Campaign has been formulated to engage students in determining where and how much El Niño affects local places and to put students in contact with their local environment.
To learn more about the campaign and how to participate, visit http://www.globe.gov/web/el-nino/el-nino-campaign.
To help educators prepare for the El Niño Campaign, GLOBE is hosting a series of free education webinars to discuss the mechanics of the campaign, give updates on data collection, and give participants the opportunity to learn science content from experts.
The hourlong webinars will take place on the following dates at 8 p.m. EDT.
May 17, 2016: The 2015-2016 El Niño Event
June 13, 2016: Using El Niño GLOBE Data for Scientific Research
Sept. 19, 2016: El Niño Student Campaign Refresher and Update
For more information, including log-in instructions for the webinars and recordings of previous webinars in the series, visit http://www.globe.gov/web/el-nino/el-nino-campaign/webinars.
Please direct questions about this opportunity and series of webinars to http://www.globe.gov/support/contact.
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Space Shuttle Thermal Protective Tiles and Blankets Available for Educational Use
NASA invites U.S. educational institutions to request space shuttle thermal protective tiles, space shuttle thermal protective blankets, and other special items offered on a first-come, first-serve basis while quantities last. Organizations previously allocated thermal protective tiles may request an additional three tiles.
Nonprofit museums, libraries and planetariums (sponsored through their respective State Agency Surplus Property, or SASP, organization) are also eligible to make requests. Visit the link below for special instructions to request items. To find the contact information for the SASP representative for your area, visit http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/100851.
A nominal shipping fee must be paid online with a credit card. To make a request for special items online, visit http://gsaxcess.gov/htm/nasa/userguide/Special_Item_Request_Procedure.pdf.
Please direct questions about this opportunity to GSAXcessHelp@gsa.gov.
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Free Educator Workshop — Space Technology: Green Propellant Infusion Mission
Are you ready to go green? Join NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center Office of Education for a free educator professional development workshop to investigate “green” alternatives to conventional space technologies. Through hands-on experiments and physical demonstrations, educators will learn how to design, construct and test a simple mock spacecraft and “green” propellant using the Beginning Engineering Science & Technology, or BEST, curriculum and the engineering design process.
BEST is a demonstrated pedagogical framework that teaches students the engineering design process. Activities can supplement instruction during the school day or out of school, and they can be implemented individually or as a themed series. During the workshop, teaching connections will be made to real-world applications including NASA’s Green Propellant Infusion Mission and Armstrong’s GREEN technology research.
The workshop will take place Wednesday, May 18, 2016, 4:30-6 p.m. PDT at NASA’s Armstrong Educator Resource Center at the AERO Institute in Palmdale, California.
For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/erc_workshop_05_18_16.pdf.
Please direct questions about this workshop to Sondra Geddes at sondra.l.geddes@nasa.gov.
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2016 von Kármán Lecture Series — Attend in Person or View Online
The Theodore von Kármán Lecture Series, named after the founder of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and presented by JPL’s Office of Communication and Education, shares the excitement of the space program’s missions, instruments and other technologies.
Lectures take place twice per month, on consecutive Thursdays and Fridays. The Thursday lectures take place in JPL’s Theodore von Kármán Auditorium, and Friday lectures take place at Pasadena City College’s Vosloh Forum. Both start at 7 p.m. PDT (10 p.m. EDT). Admission and parking are free for all lectures. No reservations are required, but seating is limited. The Thursday evening lectures are streamed live for viewing online. Archives of past lectures are also available online.
Next Lecture in the Series:
Fire and Ice … and Methane: Exploring Mars and Titan
Event Date: May 19 and May 20, 2016, at 7 p.m. PDT (10 p.m. EDT)
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/events/lectures_archive.php?year=2016&month=5
The search for life elsewhere in the solar system has tantalized humanity for centuries. This search has led us to look outward toward places that may have life (Mars) or the chemical precursors for life (Titan). Join Cassini Mission engineer and technologist Dr. Morgan Cable for a discussion about how the search for life beyond Earth has led us also to look inward to recreate other worlds in the laboratory and study places on Earth that can act as analog environments.
For more information about the Theodore von Kármán Lecture Series, including a complete list of upcoming lectures, visit http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/events/lectures.php.
Questions about this series should be directed to http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/contact_JPL.php.
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Free Tours of Facilities at NASA’s Glenn Research Center
NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, is offering tours that take visitors behind the scenes and inside certain research facilities. Glenn scientists and engineers serve as guides. Tours and open house events will be held each month through October 2016. Tours are free for groups and individuals, but to guarantee admission, reservations are required. Visitor parking is also free.
On the days of the tours, a bus departs from Glenn’s main gate every hour, beginning at 10 a.m. The last tour departs at 1 p.m. Each tour lasts about 45 minutes and is followed by a stop at Glenn’s Gift Shop.
Glenn’s 2016 Tour Schedule
May 21-22, 2016 — Open House at NASA’s Glenn Research Center: NASA Glenn is opening its doors to the public for a weekend open house. Visitors will be able to tour many of the center’s world-class facilities and see how the center improves aviation and fosters exploration to benefit everyone on Earth. Visitors also will be able to meet an astronaut and talk with engineers, scientists and technicians who work on space programs. Registration for this event is not required.
June 11-12, 2016 — Open House at NASA’s Plum Brook Station: NASA Glenn is opening the doors of Plum Brook Station in Sandusky, Ohio, to the public for a weekend open house. Visitors will be able to tour the station’s world-class facilities and step inside the world’s largest vacuum chamber, which has tested parts of rockets, Mars landers and Orion hardware. Visitors also will be able to meet an astronaut and talk with engineers, scientists and technicians. Registration for this event is not required.
July 9, 2016: Radioisotope Power System, Systems Integration Laboratory: See how NASA emulates the electrical characteristics of a spacecraft system in the Radioisotope Power System, Systems Integration Laboratory. RPS is a source of electricity for NASA space missions from the surface of Mars to the realm of the outer planets.
Aug. 6, 2016 — See Things a Different Way: Check out Glenn’s Graphics and Visualization, or GVIS, and the Reconfigurable User-interface and Virtual Reality Exploration, or GRUVE, Laboratories. The GVIS lab uses advanced computer input and output devices paired with a variety of natural user interface devices and 3-D displays. The GRUVE lab is used to analyze data obtained either by computer simulation or from research test facilities.
Sept. 10, 2016 — Vibration Testing: Join us on a tour of Glenn’s Structural Dynamics Laboratory, where things get shaken to verify their survivability. Several experiments that currently are operating on the International Space Station were tested in this lab.
Oct. 1, 2016 — Prepare for Impact: Come explore Glenn’s Ballistic Impact Facility. See the laboratory that helped to identify the cause of the space shuttle Columbia accident and return NASA’s shuttle fleet to flight.
Tours are open to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. To guarantee admission, reservations are required. For more information on tours and how to make reservations, visit http://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/events/tours.html.
Please direct questions about the tours to Sheila Reese at sheila.d.reese@nasa.gov.
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DEADLINE EXTENDED: 2016 NASA Aeronautics Design Challenge: Distributed Electric Propulsion
Distributed Electric Propulsion, or DEP, is an emerging aircraft design concept that has the potential to improve aircraft performance in a number of areas, including efficiency, takeoff and landing performance, emissions, noise abatement, safety, and ride quality. DEP also has the potential to enable new novel control systems. In this year’s NASA Aeronautics Design Challenge, student teams are challenged to design a commuter aircraft that applies DEP technology. The main source of thrust for the students’ concept may come from DEP or a combination of DEP and conventional propulsion devices (turboprops, turbofans, etc.). The challenge for the design team is to determine the most advantageous application of DEP for their aircraft and to justify their selection.
The contest is open to teams of full-time students enrolled in higher education institutions of the United States or its territories. This category includes universities, colleges, trade schools, community colleges, professional schools, etc. Multidisciplinary teams are encouraged.
Final entries are due May 23, 2016.
For more information and a complete list of rules, visit http://aero.larc.nasa.gov/university-contest/.
Questions about the challenge should be directed to Elizabeth Ward at Elizabeth.B.Ward@nasa.gov.
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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.
Moon Rocks
May 25, 2016, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. EDT
Twelve men have walked on the moon. While the rest of us remain Earth-bound, we’re able to learn about the moon from the rocks these 12 astronauts brought back for scientific study. We also have found lunar meteorites here on Earth — meteorites produced by impacts hitting the moon. Explore moon rocks and what they can tell us not only about the moon but also about our own 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, 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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Smallsat Technology Partnerships Solicitation
NASA is extending an opportunity to college and university teams to propose small spacecraft technology projects that they can conduct in collaboration with NASA researchers. The Smallsat Technology Partnerships solicitation is being issued by the Small Spacecraft Technology Program as an appendix to the Space Technology Mission Directorate’s NASA Research Announcement for 2016.
NASA expects to competitively select about eight projects from among those proposed by university teams. The teams can form proposal partnerships with researchers from any of NASA’s 10 field centers. Awards for each project will include up to $100,000 to each university team per year. In addition, NASA will fund the time for one NASA employee to work with each selected team. Project funding is for one year with the potential to continue for a second year.
Proposed projects could involve laboratory work to advance a particular spacecraft technology or the development of a new smallsat. NASA will be accepting proposals in four topic areas: 1) enhanced power generation and storage, 2) cross-linking communications systems, 3) relative navigation for multiple small spacecraft, and 4) instruments and sensors for small spacecraft science missions.
Proposals are due May 25, 2016.
Details and instructions for submitting proposals may be found at http://go.nasa.gov/1qc751z.
Questions about this solicitation may be directed to Rachel Khattab at rachel.khattab@nasa.gov.
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Student Spaceflight Experiments Program — Mission 11 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 a 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 11 to the International Space Station, gives students across a community the ability to design and propose real experiments to fly in low-Earth orbit on the space station. This opportunity is part of the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program, or SSEP.
Each participating community will receive a real microgravity research mini-laboratory capable of supporting a single microgravity experiment and all launch services to fly the minilab to the space station in spring 2017 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 uses the experiment design competition to engage the community in 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 also are encouraged to participate. Interested communities must inquire about the program no later than May 27, 2016. 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 11 to International Space Station National Announcement of Opportunity at http://ssep.ncesse.org/2016/03/new-flight-opportunity-for-school-districts-announcing-student-spaceflight-experiments-program-ssep-mission-11-to-the-international-space-station-starting-september-2016/.
SSEP is enabled through a strategic partnership with NanoRacks LLC working with NASA under a Space Act Agreement as part of the use 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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Call for Proposals — Citizen Science for Earth Systems Program
NASA is seeking proposals for a new program as part of the NASA Research Announcement “Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2016.” The Citizen Science for Earth Systems Program’s primary goal is to develop and implement capabilities to use contributions from the general public to advance understanding of Earth as a system. The program will complement NASA’s observation of Earth from space, air, land and water by engaging the public in NASA’s mission. The program will advance the use of citizen science in scientific research about Earth by directly supporting citizen science activities, as well as by developing technology to further citizen science research.
Through this solicitation, two types of proposals are sought — citizen science research and low-cost sensor deployment for the collection of well-calibrated citizen science data.
Notices of Intent are requested by May 27, 2016, and proposals are due July 21, 2016.
For more information, visit http://go.nasa.gov/1SUOO63.
Questions concerning this program element may be directed to Kevin Murphy at kevin.j.murphy@nasa.gov.
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2016 National Academy of Engineering – Engineering for You Video Contest 3
The National Academy of Engineering, or NAE, is launching the Engineering for You Video Contest 3, or E4U3.
This year, participants are tasked with creating a 1- to 2-minute video focused on mega-engineering. Mega-engineering projects typically address important needs of large populations and/or societies, require teams working across countries and cultures on a solution, and involve at least three disciplines including engineering.
The competition is open to all individuals or teams in the following competition categories:
— Middle school students and younger (grades K-8)
— High school students (grades 9-12)
— Tertiary education students (two-year college through graduate school, full or part time)
— The general public
The main prize is $25,000, and videos will be accepted through May 31, 2016.
For more information, visit http://www.nae.edu/e4u3/.
Questions about the E4U3 Video Contest should be directed to E4Uvideocontest@nae.edu.
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NASA History Program Office Fall 2016 Internships
The NASA History Program Office is seeking undergraduate and graduate students for fall 2016 internships. The History Program Office maintains archival materials to answer research questions from NASA personnel, journalists, scholars, students at all levels and others from around the world. The division also edits and publishes several books and monographs each year. It maintains a large number of websites on NASA history.
Students of all majors are welcome to apply. While detailed prior knowledge of the aeronautics and space fields is not necessary, a keen interest and some basic familiarity with these topics are needed. Strong research, writing and editing skills are essential. Experience with social media is a plus.
Intern projects are flexible. Typical projects include handling a variety of information requests, writing posts for the NASA history Twitter and Facebook pages, editing historical manuscripts, doing research and writing biographical sketches, and identifying and captioning photos.
Applications for fall 2016 internships are due June 1, 2016.
For more information, visit http://history.nasa.gov/interncall.htm.
If you have questions about this opportunity, please contact Bill Barry at bill.barry@nasa.gov.
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Call for Proposals: NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate’s University Leadership Initiative
NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate is seeking proposals for a new opportunity for universities and their research partners to contribute toward NASA research goals. The University Leadership Initiative allows universities and university-led partnerships to provide strategic leadership that advances ARMD’s research objectives and promotes education of the next generation of engineers.
Proposers will identify technical challenges and research activities that will contribute to the six strategic thrusts provided in the ARMD Strategic Implementation Plan (http://www.aeronautics.nasa.gov/pdf/armd-strategic-implementation-plan.pdf).
For this solicitation, the proposing (lead) organization must be an accredited, degree-granting U.S. college or university. Proposing organizations are invited to include partners as part of their team. Partners may include other U.S. colleges and universities, U.S. companies, nonprofit organizations, and any other public or private U.S. entity. Proposers may not include NASA centers or researchers as team members.
Multiple awards are anticipated with nominal budgets in the $2M range per award per year. Awards will have a maximum duration of five years.
Step A proposals are due June 7, 2016.
For more information about this solicitation, visit http://go.nasa.gov/1VxTDmc.
Please submit questions about this opportunity to HQ-UnivPartnerships@mail.nasa.gov.
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‘CineSpace’ Short Film Competition
NASA and the Houston Cinema Arts Society once again will offer filmmakers around the world a chance to share their works inspired by — and using — actual NASA imagery through “CineSpace,” a short-film competition.
Films featuring NASA-captured imagery and video collected throughout the agency’s 50-year history will be judged on creativity, innovation and attention to detail. Works submitted to “CineSpace” will compete for cash prizes and the opportunity to be shown to audiences both on and off Earth. In addition to being screened at the “CineSpace” awards ceremony during the Houston Cinema Arts Festival, winners and finalists may be screened at other film festivals across the country, as well as on NASA TV and even on the International Space Station.
“CineSpace” is open to all filmmakers, both professional and aspiring. The competition will accept submissions of all genres, including narrative, documentary, comedy, drama, animation, experimental and others, of up to 10 minutes running time. Entries must use at least 10 percent publically available NASA imagery.
The submission period opens June 1, 2016, and closes July 31, 2016. Finalists and winners will be announced at a “CineSpace” event during the Houston Cinema Arts Festival in November. Entries will be competing for $26,000 in prizes with cash awards going to the top three submissions as well as the two films that best demonstrate the themes “Benefits of Space to Humanity” and “Future Space Exploration.”
For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/cinespace-short-film-competition-returns-for-2016.
Please direct questions about this competition to cinespace@cinemartsociety.org.
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National Science Foundation’s Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers
The National Science Foundation is accepting proposals for the Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers, or ITEST, program. This program supports the development, implementation and selective spread of innovative strategies for engaging students in experiences that do the following:
— Increase student awareness of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and ICT (information and communications technology) careers
— Motivate students to pursue the education necessary to participate in those careers
— And/or provide students with technology-rich experiences that develop their knowledge of related content and skills (including critical thinking skills) needed for entering the STEM workforce.
ITEST projects must involve students but may also include teachers. The ITEST program is especially focused on broadening participation of students from traditionally underrepresented groups in STEM fields and related education and workforce domains. ITEST strongly encourages projects that actively engage business and industry partners. The resulting relationships better ensure that the students’ experiences foster the knowledge and skill sets needed for emerging STEM-related occupations.
Proposals are due Aug. 10, 2016.
For additional information about the program, including anticipated awards, visit http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2015/nsf15599/nsf15599.htm.
Please direct questions about this opportunity to DRLITEST@NSF.gov.
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National Science Foundation’s Advancing Informal STEM Learning Program
The National Science Foundation is accepting proposals for the Advancing Informal STEM Learning, or AISL, program. This program seeks to advance new approaches to evidence-based understanding of the design and development of STEM learning opportunities for the public in informal environments; to provide multiple pathways for broadening access to and engagement in STEM learning experiences; and to advance innovative research on and assessment of STEM learning in informal environments.
Proposals are due Nov. 8, 2016.
For additional information about the program, including anticipated awards, visit http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2015/nsf15593/nsf15593.htm.
Please direct questions about this opportunity to DRLAISL@NSF.gov.
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Call for Submissions — NASA Announcement for High Impact / Broad Implementation STEM Education Partnerships (EDUCATION01SP16)
The NASA Headquarters Office of Education, in cooperation with the agency’s four mission directorates, nine center education offices, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) education office, announces this competition to improve science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. Responses must be submitted electronically via the NASA data system NSPIRES (http://nspires.nasaprs.com).
NASA Education seeks to partner with eligible domestic or international organizations on a no-exchange-of-funds basis to reach wider and more diverse audiences and to achieve mutually beneficial objectives. The Announcement places a priority on collaboration involving the following: digital learning; engaging underrepresented groups in STEM; NASA-themed STEM challenges; and youth-serving organizations. NASA also is receptive to other creative ideas including, for example, investigations or application of science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics and design (STEAMD); or activities culturally relevant to or focused on unrepresented in STEM careers populations, such as women, ethnic minorities and persons with disabilities. The announcement explains the criteria used to review responses and NASA’s partnership mechanism known as a no-exchange-of-funds or non-reimbursable Space Act Agreement.
NASA will accept responses on a rolling basis through Dec. 31. 2017.
For more information about this opportunity, visit NSPIRES at http://go.nasa.gov/1RZwWCi.
If you have any questions about this opportunity, please direct your questions to the Points of Contact listed within the NASA Announcement.
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‘ISS: Science on Orbit’ Exhibit at U.S. Space & Rocket Center
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center’s “ISS: Science on Orbit” exhibit provides visitors with a true sense of what it’s like to live and work in space. This NASA grant-funded exhibit begins with a model of NASA’s Payload Operations Integration Center, where scientists and engineers on Earth manage the complex, international science experiments that astronauts conduct on the International Space Station.
Two mockups of space station modules contain 20 full-scale replica racks that illustrate the Environmental Control and Life Support Systems, the astronauts’ food, and a sleeping berth, among other necessary aspects of life and work aboard the station. A connecting node contains a full-scale replica of the Cupola Observation Module, which provides space station crew members with a view of Earth and space.
For more information, visit http://rocketcenter.com/.
Questions about the exhibit can be directed to Dr. Kay Taylor at kay.taylor@spacecamp.com.
