NASA Education Express Message — Dec. 17, 2015
New This Week!
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Look Up and Spot the Station! Learn More With STEM on Station
Audience: Grades 6-12 Educators and Students
‘Mission: Mars’ Exhibition at Saint Louis Science Center
Audience: All Educators and Students
NASA’s Digital Learning Network Seeking Participants for International Event
Audience: Educators of Grades 5-12 in the United States
Inquiry Deadline: Dec. 21, 2015
NOAA Environmental Literacy Grants
Audience: Informal Education Institutions; K-12 School Systems; Higher Education Institutions; State, Local and Tribal Governments
Informational Teleconference: Jan. 5, 2016, 3-5 p.m. EST
Application Deadline: Feb. 8, 2016
2016 NASA Glenn Faculty Fellowship Program
Audience: Higher Education Educators
Application Deadline: Feb. 1, 2016
2015 Cassini Scientist for a Day Essay Contest
Audience: 5-12 Students
Entry Deadline: Feb. 26, 2016
2016 LiftOff Summer Institute
Audience: K-12 Educators
Application Deadline: April 15, 2016
Institute Dates: June 26-July 1, 2016
Call for Papers: NASA in the ‘Long’ Civil Rights Movement Symposium
Audience: Academics, Graduate Students and Independent Scholars
Abstract Submission Deadline: July 31, 2016
Symposium Dates: March 16-17, 2017
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PREVIOUSLY PROMOTED OPPORTUNITIES
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Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum Presents “STEM in 30” Webcast Series
Audience: Grades 6-8 Educators and Students
Next Webcast Date: Dec. 17, 2015, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. EDT
NASA’s Digital Learning Network Event — Live Video Chat: NASA STARS en Espaol
Audience: All Educators and Students
Event Date: Dec. 17, 2015, 1-2 p.m. EST
NASA’s Digital Learning Network Event — Video conferencia en vivo: NASA STARS en Espaol
Audiencia: Todos Los Educadores y Estudiantes
Fecha del Evento: Dec. 17, 2015, 1-2 p.m. EST
Free NASA Educator Professional Development Webinars
Audience: In-service, Pre-service, Home School and Informal Educators
Next Event Date: Dec. 17, 2015, at 6 p.m. EST
2016 High-Altitude Student Platform Opportunity
Audience: Higher Education Educators and Students
Application Deadline: Dec. 18, 2015
Mars Survival Kit: Lessons and Activities to Guide Your Exploration of Mars!
Audience: K-12 Educators
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
Smithsonian TechQuest: Astronaut Academy
Audience: Designed for Families With Children Ages 10 to 14, but Open to All
Next Event Date: Dec. 19, 2015, 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. EDT
Department of Homeland Security Summer Research Team Program for Minority Serving Institutions
Audience: Faculty at Minority Serving Institutions
Application Deadline: Dec. 20, 2015, at 11:59 p.m. EST
“Where Over the World Is Astronaut Scott Kelly?” Geography From Space Trivia Contest
Audience: All Educators and Students
Deadline: Ongoing Through March 2016
NASA Education Call for Reviewers for Informal STEM Education Proposals
Audience: Informal Education Leadership, Managers, Educators and Evaluators (e.g., K-12; Informal; Youth Groups; Public Outreach)
Sign-up Deadline: Dec. 31, 2015
Space Shuttle Thermal Protective Tiles and Blankets Available for Educational Use
Audience: Educational Institutions, Museums and Other Education Organizations
Center for Astronomy Education Teaching Excellence Workshops — Fall/Winter 2015-16
Audience: Higher Education Educators and Students
Next Event Date: Jan. 3-4, 2016
Free Program — Cubes in SpaceTM
Audience: Middle and High School Educators and Students
Registration Deadline: Jan. 11, 2016
2016 Lunar and Planetary Institute’s Exploration Science Summer Intern Program
Audience: Graduate Students
Application Deadline: Jan. 15, 2016
2016 RASC-AL Aerospace Concepts Design Competition
Audience: Higher Education Students
Abstract Submission Deadline: Jan. 17, 2016
NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowships Program Accepting Proposals for 2016-2017 Academic Year
Audience: Higher Education Educators and Students
Proposal Deadline: Feb. 1, 2016
2016 Space Exploration Educators Conference
Audience: K-12 Educators
Event Date: Feb. 4-6, 2016
Be an Astronaut! Apply Now for New Astronaut Candidate Class
Audience: All Educators and Graduate Students
Application Deadline: Mid-February 2016
Now Accepting Applications for NASA Summer Internships
Audience: High School, Undergraduate and Graduate Students
Application Deadline: March 1, 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
New FAQs Posted — NASA Research Announcement for Competitive Program for Science Museums, Planetariums and NASA Visitor Centers Plus Other Opportunities (CP4SMPVC+)
Audience: Formal and Informal Education Institutions
Regarding Proposals That Were Due Dec. 7, 2015
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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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Look Up and Spot the Station! Learn More With STEM on Station
The International Space Station orbits 250 miles above Earth and travels about 17,500 miles per hour. The space station is visible in the night sky and looks like a fast-moving plane, but it is dozens of times higher than any airplane and travels thousands of miles an hour faster.
Learn more about how you can spot the space station and other ways you can bring the station into your classroom by visiting NASA’s STEM on Station website. While you are there, stop by and learn more about the yearlong mission and how it is helping us on our #JourneytoMars. Opportunities, resources and more await at this space-station-focused site!
To check out the website, visit http://www.nasa.gov/education/STEMstation.
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‘Mission: Mars’ Exhibition at Saint Louis Science Center
Explore Mars in two different but amazingly realistic ways at the Saint Louis Science Center. “Mission: Mars” is an interactive exhibition designed to immerse visitors in the exploration of Mars in the present and the future. Developed by the Saint Louis Science Center in partnership with Washington University in St. Louis, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California and NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, this unique exhibition will engage visitors in two separate but connected locations within the facility.
The “Mission: Mars — Control” portion of the exhibit allows guests to experience current-day exploration operations by assuming the role of an engineer at a NASA engineering lab and programming a robotic rover to explore Mars. “Mission: Mars — Base” resembles a realistic work environment on Mars in the year 2076. Taking on the role of an astronaut living on Mars, visitors are able to perform science operations at key locations on the planet by using a rover similar to the one used on Mars now.
For more information, visit http://www.slsc.org/.
Questions about the exhibit can be directed to http://www.slsc.org/contact-us.
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NASA’s Digital Learning Network Seeking Participants for International Event
In February 2016, NASA’s Digital Learning Network is teaming up with The Royal Institution and Faraday Studios for a series of Google Hangout events in connection with British astronaut Tim Peake’s mission to the International Space Station. The live hourlong events will include selected classrooms from the United Kingdom and the U.S. These classes will pose questions to Dr. Kevin Fong (author of “Extreme Medicine”), Dr. Steven Jacobs (Mr. Wizard) and NASA experts. The events will be broadcast live on YouTube.
The DLN currently is seeking U.S. middle and high schools (grades 5-12) that would be interested in participating in these events interactively with our U.K. partners.
Schools, if selected, would be required to conduct a test call in early January with a representative of the DLN to confirm participation. If you would like to have your school considered, please contact Caryn Long at caryn.long@nasa.gov. Inquiries must be received no later than Dec. 21, 2015.
For more information about the lecture series, visit http://www.nasa.gov/dln/opportunities/.
To learn more about NASA’s Digital Learning Network, visit http://www.nasa.gov/dln.
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NOAA Environmental Literacy Grants
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a competitive funding opportunity for education projects that will strengthen the public’s and/or K-12 students’ environmental literacy to enable informed decision-making necessary for community resilience to extreme weather events and other environmental hazards. Successful projects will advance NOAA’s mission and build the environmental literacy necessary for community resilience by focusing on geographic awareness and an understanding of Earth systems and the threats and vulnerabilities that are associated with a community’s location.
Eligible applicants are limited to institutions of higher education; other nonprofits, including informal education institutions such as museums, zoos and aquariums; K-12 public and independent schools and school systems; and state, local and Indian tribal governments in the United States. Proposed projects should be between two and five years in duration and have total budget requests of $250,000 to $500,000 for all years of the project.
Applications are due Feb. 8, 2016.
For more information and to submit an online application, visit http://www.oesd.noaa.gov/grants/elg.html#page=funding.
An informational teleconference with the program officers will occur on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016 from 3 to 5 p.m. EST. Visit the link above for details on how to join the teleconference and/or to obtain a copy of the transcription of the teleconference held on December 10, 2015.
Questions about this opportunity should be directed to oed.grants@noaa.gov.
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2016 NASA Glenn Faculty Fellowship Program
Applications are being accepted for the 2016 NASA Glenn Faculty Fellowship Program. This program provides a 10-week summer residency at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio.
To be eligible for the program, applicants must be full-time science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, faculty members who are U.S. citizens. Applicants must be tenured faculty or in tenure-track positions at four-year accredited U.S. colleges and universities, or full-time faculty at two-year U.S. academic institutions. Faculty members from underrepresented groups and at U.S. Department of Education-designated Minority Serving Institutions are particularly encouraged to apply.
The program covers limited travel expenses for qualified and accepted faculty, as well as stipends for all accepted faculty. Please note that stipend payments or salaries from other federal funding sources, including research grants and contracts, may not be accepted during the 10-week tenure of a Glenn faculty fellowship appointment.
The deadline for applications is Feb. 1, 2016. For more information about this opportunity, visit http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/faculty_fellowship_final.pdf.
Inquiries about NASA’s Glenn Faculty Fellowship Program should be directed to Dr. M. David Kankam at Mark.D.Kankam@nasa.gov.
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2015 Cassini Scientist for a Day Essay Contest
The Cassini Scientist for a Day contest challenges students to become NASA scientists studying Saturn. Participants examine three possible targets for the Cassini spacecraft to observe and choose the one they think will yield the best scientific results. This year’s targets are Saturn’s rings and three of its moons; Jupiter as seen from approximately one billion miles away; and Saturn’s moon Tethys passing behind Rhea, another of Saturn’s moons. After researching the three options, students write an essay under 500 words explaining their choice.
The contest is open to all students in the United States in grades 5-12. The essays will be divided into three groups for scoring: grades 5-6, 7-8 and 9-12. All submissions must be students’ original work. Participants may enter as individuals or as part of a team of up to four students.
The deadline for entries is Feb. 26, 2016.
For more information, visit http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/education/scientistforaday2015/.
If you have questions about this contest, please email scientistforaday@jpl.nasa.gov.
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2016 LiftOff Summer Institute
Registration is now open for the 2016 LiftOff Summer Institute, sponsored by NASA’s Texas Space Grant Consortium. This weeklong professional development training for teachers will be held June 26-July 1, 2016, at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. This competitive aerospace workshop emphasizes science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, learning experiences through speakers, hands-on activities and field investigations.
The theme for this year’s institute is “Exploration: Past, Present and Future.” The event will focus on how NASA is learning from past exploration and current space station research and how it will apply its discoveries to future missions to deep space.
Attendees must be U.S. citizens currently employed as classroom teachers of grades 4-12 with at least one year teaching experience prior to the institute. Texas Space Grant pays all expenses for any Texas teacher selected. Other Space Grant Consortia fund teachers from their states.
Applications are due April 15, 2016.
For more information and to access the online application, visit http://www.tsgc.utexas.edu/liftoff/.
If you have questions about the 2016 LiftOff Summer Institute, please email your inquiries to Margaret Baguio at baguio@tsgc.utexas.edu.
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Call for Papers: NASA in the ‘Long’ Civil Rights Movement Symposium
The History Office at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and the Department of History at the University of Alabama Huntsville invite academics, graduate students and independent scholars to submit proposals for papers to be presented at a two-day symposium, March 16-17, 2017. The symposium will take place at the University of Alabama Huntsville and will address the role/relationship of NASA to the “Long” Civil Rights Movement, particularly in, but not limited to, the Deep South (Huntsville, Florida, Houston, Mississippi and New Orleans).
The conceptual framework for the symposium is provided by Jacquelyn Dowd Hall’s 2005 essay in theJournal of American History, “The Long Civil Rights Movement and the Political Uses of the Past,” which called upon historians to produce new “modes of writing and speaking that emphasize individual agency while also dramatizing the hidden history of politics and institutions.” Along these lines, the conference welcomes papers addressing the Civil Rights experience across NASA that not only explore the experience of African Americans, but also of women, immigrants and other politically/legally marginalized groups. The intention is to publish a subset of the papers as an anthology.
Those interested in presenting a paper at the symposium should send an abstract of no more than 400 words and a short biography or curriculum vita, including affiliation, to Brian Odom at brian.c.odom@nasa.gov or Dr. Stephen Waring at warings@uah.edu by July 31, 2016.
For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/history/call-for-papers-nasa-in-the-long-civil-rights-movement-symposium-university-of-alabama.html.
Please direct questions about this opportunity to Brian Odom at brian.c.odom@nasa.gov.
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PREVIOUSLY PROMOTED OPPORTUNITIES
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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.
The next webcast in the series is:
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.
“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, including a full list of upcoming webcasts, 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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NASA’s Digital Learning Network Event — Live Video Chat: NASA STARS en Espaol
Do you want to be one of NASA’s STARS? In this series of live, Spanish video chats, “Students Talk About Real STEM” (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) with NASA professionals who work in these areas. Join NASA’s Digital Learning Network and Educator Professional Development Collaborative for an inside look at NASA missions, research and careers. Submit questions via Twitter using #NASASTARS or via email to astrosdeNASA@gmail.com.
Sign up to connect your class directly and participate in a live event. Please direct questions about this event to astrosdeNASA@gmail.com.
The next hourlong event will be webcast on the NASA DLiNfo Channel on Dec. 17, 2015, at 1 p.m. EST.
For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/dln.
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NASA’s Digital Learning Network Event — Video conferencia en vivo: NASA STARS en Espaol
Quieres ser uno de los Astros de NASA? En esta serie de video conferencia en Espaol y en vivo, los estudiantes hablarn de lo que es en realidad STEM (ciencias, tecnologa, ingeniera y matemticas) con profesionales de NASA que estn trabajando en estas ramas. Acompaa a los programas de conexin digital de NASA (DLN for sus siglas en Ingles) y el programa de colaboraciones de desarroll profesional educativo (EPDC por sus siglas en Ingles) hablando de diferentes misiones, investigaciones, y carreras en NASA.Inscribe tu escuela y conectate envia tus preguntas por medio de Twitter usando #NASASTARS correo electrnico astrosdeNASA@gmail.com.
Escribanos si usted esta interesado en conectarse directo para participar y cualquier pregunta sobre el programa astrosdeNASA@gmail.com.
El siguiente programa de una hora ser transmitido por NASA DLiNfo Channel el 17 de Diciembre de 2015 a la 1 p.m. EST.
Para ms informacin visite la pgina http://www.nasa.gov/dln.
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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.
International Space Station — Off the Earth, For the Earth: Mass vs. Weight
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades 5-8
Event Date: Dec. 17, 2015, at 6 p.m. EST
“Mass” and “weight” have very different meanings and often are incorrectly used. Webinar participants will explore mass and weight using NASA curriculum that features education video filmed by astronauts on board the International Space Station. Newton’s Laws of Motion, NASA online resources, STEM inquiry activities and the Next Generation Science Standards also will be explored in this “heavy-duty” online session. Register online to participate. https://www.etouches.com/146123
International Space Station — Off the Earth For the Earth: Rockets 2 Racecars, Train Like An Astronaut
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades 3-9
Event Date: Dec. 21, 2015, at 4 p.m. EST
Get your students revved up with NASA’s Rockets 2 Racecars (R2R) STEM Education webinar series! Participants will discover correlations between stock car drivers and astronauts, including muscle strength and endurance, reaction time, and effects to the brain when exposed to high levels of carbon dioxide. Register online to participate. https://www.etouches.com/144224
International Space Station — International Space Station — Off the Earth For the Earth: Exploring the Extreme
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades 4-8
Event Date: Dec. 22, 2015, at 6 p.m. EST
Explore the history of extravehicular activity — or spacewalks — and the critical role it has played in human space exploration. Learn about the extreme space environment endured during spacewalks and how spacesuits are designed to protect astronauts. NASA STEM education curriculum, online resources, teaching strategies and the Next Generation Science Standards also will be discussed during this webinar. Register online to participate. https://www.etouches.com/153417
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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2016 High-Altitude Student Platform Opportunity
The Louisiana Space Grant Consortium, or LaSPACE, is accepting applications from students at U.S. colleges and universities who want to send experiments to the edge of space on a high-flying scientific balloon.
The annual project, supported by the NASA Balloon Program Office and LaSPACE, provides near-space access for 12 undergraduate and graduate student experiments to be carried by a NASA high-altitude research balloon. The flights typically last 15 to 20 hours and reach an altitude of 23 miles. Experiments may include compact satellites or prototypes.
The experiments are flown aboard the High-Altitude Student Platform, or HASP, a balloon-born instrument stack launched from the Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility’s remote site in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. The goals of the project are to provide a space test platform to encourage student research and stimulate the development of student satellite payloads and other space-engineering products.
HASP seeks to enhance the technical skills and research abilities of students in critical science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines.
The deadline for applications is Dec. 18, 2015.
For application information and technical details about the program, visit http://laspace.lsu.edu/hasp.
Questions about the High-Altitude Student Platform opportunity should be directed to T. Gregory Guzik at guzik@phunds.phys.lsu.edu.
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Mars Survival Kit: Lessons and Activities to Guide Your Exploration of Mars!
NASA is embarking on a journey to Mars! Are your students ready to join in the adventure? Spark excitement in your classroom with the Mars Survival Kit.
The Mars Survival Kit is a collection of educational activities for students in grades K-12. Each educational activity includes a brief description, as well as information about how the activities and lessons align to the Next Generation Science Standards.
Start your classroom’s journey to Mars at http://go.nasa.gov/1NnZ0Rg.
To learn more about NASA’s Journey to Mars, visit http://www.nasa.gov/topics/journeytomars/index.html.
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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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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 Dec. 19, 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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Department of Homeland Security Summer Research Team Program for Minority Serving Institutions
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is accepting applications for the Summer Research Team Program for Minority Serving Institutions. This 10-week program offers the opportunity to enhance the scientific leadership at MSIs in research areas that support the mission and goals of the Department of Homeland Security. Faculty, along with undergraduate and graduate students, will conduct collaborative research that provides opportunities to help advance the DHS Areas of Research and strengthen the talent pool of scientists and engineers.
Faculty members currently teaching at an MSI are encouraged to apply. Selected faculty will be invited to submit a research project proposal in collaboration with a DHS Center researcher and put a team together composed of one or two qualified students to complete the summer research experience.
Participants will receive a weekly stipend plus travel expenses. Some participants may be eligible for a housing allowance. Faculty are encouraged to apply for up to $50,000 in follow-on funding at the end of their appointment.
To be eligible, applicants must be U.S. citizens. Applications are due Dec. 20, 2015, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Additional information about the program, including eligibility requirements, program benefits, application requirements and access to the online application system may be found at http://www.orau.gov/dhseducation/faculty/index.html.
Please direct inquiries about this opportunity to DHSed@orau.org.
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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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NASA Education Call for Reviewers for Informal STEM Education Proposals
The management team for the 2015 NASA Research Announcement: Competitive Program for Science Museums, Planetariums and NASA Visitor Centers Plus Other Opportunities (CP4SMPVC+) is actively recruiting qualified peer reviewers who volunteer to externally review CP4SMPVC+ proposals during winter 2016. A diverse reviewer pool is sought, including but not limited to practicing or retired informal education leadership; managers; educators and evaluators (e.g., K-12, informal, youth groups, public outreach); scientists; engineers; higher education faculty; and other experts (including individuals without a current institutional affiliation) with experience or knowledge of activities described in the Announcement NNH15ZHA001N.
The review will include proposals from eligible nonprofit entities, including NASA Visitor Centers, as authorized under Public Law 109-155 SEC. 616. MUSEUMS: “The Administrator may provide grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements with, museums and planetariums to enable them to enhance programs related to space exploration, aeronautics, space science, earth science, or microgravity,” as well as youth-serving organizations.”
Please submit your qualifications, interest and availability — or nominate qualified colleagues — at https://informal.jpl.nasa.gov/reviewer/. To volunteer yourself, click the “Register to Be Considered as a Reviewer” link and be prepared to upload your two-to-three-page resume. (No resume is necessary to nominate a colleague using the “Suggest Qualified Reviewers” link.) The deadline to register and nominate is Dec. 31, 2015.
For additional information, a potential reviewer can send questions/inquires via email to CP4SMP@jpl.nasa.gov — please no phone calls.
Although NASA cannot guarantee an invitation to review will result, we thank you for your consideration and/or referrals. Selected reviewers will be expected to disclose all conflicts of interest, including situations that may give the appearance of bias.
For more information about the NASA Research Announcement, visit http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?method=init&solId={6105DEEC-925A-A216-322B-8E3B34FA2B07}&path=open.
For information about funded projects from previous CP4SMP solicitations, visit https://informal.jpl.nasa.gov/museum/CP4SMP/Map.
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Space Shuttle Thermal Protective Tiles and Blankets Available for Educational Use
NASA invites eligible U.S. educational institutions and museums 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.
There will be a nominal shipping fee that 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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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.
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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Free Program — Cubes in SpaceTM
The Colorado Space Grant Consortium and idoodlelearning inc. are offering a free education program for students ages 11-18 that focuses on science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics. Cubes in Space provides students an opportunity to design and compete to launch an experiment into space as part of the RockSat-C program.
Within formal or informal learning environments, the program will expose students and educators to engaging online content and activities in preparation for the design and development of an experimental payload to be integrated into a small cube. Selected cubes will be launched via a Terrier-Orion sounding rocket from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Virginia, in late June 2016.
Students and educators will learn about the methodology for taking an idea from design through to the review process and then to flight and final experiment validation. Throughout the experience, students will learn about the relationships between science and engineering concepts and will acquire key 21st-century skills necessary for success in a highly connected, global society.
The deadline for program registration is Jan. 11, 2016.
For more information, visit http://www.CubesInSpace.com.
Please direct questions about this program to info@cubesinspace.com.
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2016 Lunar and Planetary Institute’s Exploration Science Summer Intern Program
The Lunar and Planetary Institute is hosting a special Exploration Science Summer Intern Program in 2016. The program is a unique opportunity to integrate scientific input with exploration activities in a way that mission architects and spacecraft engineers can use. Activities may involve assessments and traverse plans for a particular destination (e.g., on the far side of the moon) or a more general assessment of a class of possible exploration targets (e.g., small near-Earth asteroids).
The program is open to graduate students in geology, planetary science, planetary astronomy and related programs. The 10-week program runs from May 23, 2016, through July 29, 2016. Selected interns will receive stipends and travel expense reimbursement.
The deadline to submit an application is Jan. 15, 2016.
For more information, visit http://www.lpi.usra.edu/features/102115/exploration_interns/.
Please email any questions about this opportunity to Jennifer Steil at explorationintern@lpi.usra.edu.
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2016 RASC-AL Aerospace Concepts Design Competition
NASA and the National Institute of Aerospace announce the 2016 Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts-Academic Linkage Aerospace Concepts competition. RASC-AL is a design project competition for university-level engineering students and faculty.
The 2016 RASC-AL competition challenges participants to design projects based on real NASA problems by responding to one of four themes:
— Crew-Tended Co-Orbiting ISS (International Space Station) Facility
— Lunar Ice-Trap ISRU (In-Situ Resource Utilization) Mining, Processing and Storage Facility
— Crewed Mars Moons Mission
— Earth-Independent 1G Space Station
NASA could potentially implement concepts derived from the design projects.
Interested teams must submit an abstract for their proposed project by Jan. 17, 2016.
For the first time, the 2016 RASC-AL Competition will include a two-tiered down-select process. The RASC-AL Steering Committee of NASA and industry experts will evaluate the abstract proposals and select as many as 20 undergraduate or graduate teams to move to the next phase of the competition. Based on evaluation of three-page midproject papers submitted by these teams in mid-March, the field will be narrowed once again to 14-16 teams who will be selected for the final round of the competition. These teams will present their concepts to the panel of judges (the RASC-AL Steering Committee) at the RASC-AL Forum in June 2016 in Florida.
The RASC-AL competition is open to full-time undergraduate or graduate students majoring in engineering or science at an accredited college or university. University design teams must include one faculty or industry advisor with a university affiliation and two or more undergraduate or graduate students. A group of universities also may collaborate on a design project entry. Multidisciplinary teams are encouraged.
For more information about this competition, visit http://rascal.nianet.org.
If you have questions about this competition, please contact the RASC-AL team at rascal@nianet.org.
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NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowships Program Accepting Proposals for 2016-2017 Academic Year
The NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship program is soliciting applications from accredited U.S. universities on behalf of individuals pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees in earth and space sciences, or related disciplines, for the 2016-2017 academic year. The purpose of NESSF is to ensure continued training of a highly qualified workforce in disciplines needed to achieve NASA’s scientific goals. Awards resulting from the competitive selection will be training grants to the respective universities, with the advisor serving as the principal investigator. The financial support for the NESSF program comes from the Science Mission Directorate’s four science divisions: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Planetary Science and Astrophysics.
Initially, NESSF awards are made for one year. They may be renewed for up to two additional years, contingent upon satisfactory progress (as reflected in academic performance, research progress and recommendation by the faculty advisor) and the availability of funds.
The maximum amount of a NESSF award is $30,000 per year.
Proposals for this opportunity are due Feb. 1, 2016.
For more information about this solicitation, visit http://go.nasa.gov/1H34oH3.
Questions about Earth Science Research NESSF opportunities should be directed to Claire Macaulay at Claire.I.Macaulay@nasa.gov.
Questions about Heliophysics Research, Planetary Science Research and Astrophysics Research opportunities should be directed to Dolores Holland at hq-nessf-Space@nasa.gov.
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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/teacher-programs/teachers-seec/.
Please email any questions about the conference to seec@spacecenter.org.
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Be an Astronaut! Apply Now for New Astronaut Candidate Class
NASA soon will be selecting astronauts for the next class of space explorers! Between Dec. 14, 2015, and mid-February 2016, NASA will be accepting astronaut candidate applications. Selection announcements are targeted for mid-2017.
Teaching, including experience at the K-12 level, is considered to be qualifying experience to be an astronaut. Educators with the appropriate educational background are eligible to apply.
For additional details on this opportunity and how to submit an application, visit http://www.nasa.gov/astronauts.
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Now Accepting Applications for NASA Summer Internships
Now is your chance to apply for exciting hands-on summer internship opportunities available at all NASA centers. High school, undergraduate and graduate students are needed to help NASA scientists and engineers with ongoing scientific and engineering research, technology development and spaceflight operations activities. Internship opportunities also exist in nontechnical areas such as communications, budget, procurement, education and human resources. NASA internships are stipend-paid and offer students mentor-directed, degree-related, real-time tasks. If you think you have what it takes to be part of NASA’s Journey to Mars, please visit https://intern.nasa.gov today to apply or to learn more about the numerous opportunities available to you.
The deadline for summer applications is March 1, 2016!
Please submit inquiries about the NASA Internships, Fellowships, and Scholarships One Stop Shopping Initiative, or NIFS OSSI, via https://intern.nasa.gov/oic/.
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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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New FAQs Posted — NASA Research Announcement for Competitive Program for Science Museums, Planetariums and NASA Visitor Centers Plus Other Opportunities (CP4SMPVC+)
The NASA Office of Education has posted a new set of FAQs for its 2015 NASA Research Announcement: Competitive Program for Science Museums, Planetariums and NASA Visitor Centers Plus Other Opportunities (CP4SMPVC+), Announcement Number NNH15ZHA001N. Proposals for this solicitation were due Dec. 7, 2015.
To view FAQ Issue #4, along with previously posted questions and responses, visit NSPIRES at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?method=init&solId=%7B6105DEEC-925A-A216-322B-8E3B34FA2B07%7D&path=open.
If you have any questions about this opportunity, please direct your questions to the Points of Contact listed within the NRA.
