Genesis Mission Outreach E-News, 14th Edition January 2001
Visit the Genesis mission outreach Web site at: http://genesismission.jpl.nasa.gov
Countdown to Launch
In preparation for the Genesis mission launch, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, in partnership with the California State University Northridge, is offering a Genesis mission Chautauqua course for educators. Taught by California Center Chautauqua Director Dr. Gil Yanow, this special course is sponsored by the National Science Foundation. Chautauqua short courses are an annual series of forums in which scholars at the frontiers of various sciences meet intensively for several days with undergraduate college teachers of science. Secondary science education teachers may also apply, and will be accepted pending space availability. These forums provide an opportunity for invited scholars to communicate new knowledge, concepts, and techniques directly to teachers in ways that are immediately beneficial to their teaching. The series is held at colleges and universities throughout the United States as well as at selected special sites. Kennedy Space Center is the site for the Genesis Chautauqua course. Teachers can register on-line at: http://davinci.csun.edu/~scnet/chautp27.html
Meet Ben Clark, Lockheed Martin Scientist
Meet Genesis Co-Investigator Ben Clark, Lockheed Martin Space Systems–Astronautics Operations. http://www.genesismission.org/people/benclark/benclarkinterview.html In a recent interview, Clark noted that “Genesis is an extremely fascinating mission when you realize that we are actually collecting material from the sun without having to dip down into that fiery inferno and scoop up the tenuous matter that resides there.” A lifelong scientist, he credits “an incurable curiosity and delight in discovery” as drivers that encourage scientists to work hard and long at their jobs. Clark also points out that education “does not stop with school. When I was in college, the laser had just been invented, and was mainly a laboratory curiosity. Who would have guessed that it would figure so prominently in future technologies, from lightning-fast high bandwidth telecommunications to laser printers? Who would think that you could find out the chemical composition of the sun by exposing silicon plates in space?”
Clark’s advice to young scientists: “Don’t avoid challenges. See how far you can go. Then look for help. When you need it, there is far more help available than you might imagine.”
Teachers, Would You Like to Spice Up Your Classroom Presentations?
The Genesis Web site offers technology tips and information to keep you on the cutting edge of educational technology. If you are using the “Dynamic Design: A Collection Process” education module, you can download “It Began With Apollo.” http://www.genesismission.org/educate/kitchen/techappl/DDindex.html This PowerPoint presentation was compiled to allow your class to dramatically read a script of astronaut journal entries from past Apollo missions as they collected solar wind samples. Are you using the “Cosmic Chemistry: Cosmogony” education module? You can download the “Dark Matter, More Than Meets the Eye” http://www.genesismission.org/educate/kitchen/techappl/indexCCSeries.html PowerPoint presentation. Teacher notes and national science standards-aligned teacher guides accompany both presentations. If you don’t have Microsoft PowerPoint software installed on your computer, the Microsoft PowerPoint viewer is available for a free download at: http://office.microsoft.com/downloaddetails/ppview97.htm
Genesis and NASA Kids
NASA recently updated its children’s site, called “NASA Kids.” http://kids.msfc.nasa.gov/ Projects, games, models, and space stories are among the features, with links to Genesis activities listed under Brain Terrain at http://kids.msfc.nasa.gov/Rockets/Probes/ and the Genesis spacecraft model at http://kids.msfc.nasa.gov/Puzzles/Projects/Models/ Watch for the upcoming “Genesis Kids” update on the Genesis site, with lots of fun activities and science materials for children ages 10 and under!
