NASA Education Express Message Feb. 12, 2015

Space Shuttle Thermal Protective Tiles Available for Educational Use

NASA invites eligible U.S. educational institutions and museums to request space shuttle thermal protective tiles and other special items offered on a first-come, first-served 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.

Questions about this opportunity should be directed to GSAXcessHelp@gsa.gov.

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Free Education Webinars From NASA Educator Professional Development

NASA Educator Professional Development 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. 

Robotics on a Budget
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades 5-8
Event Date: Feb. 12, 2015, at 5 p.m. EST
What are robots and how are they used at NASA? Using NASA robotic missions, curricula and online resources, we’ll explore how to use robotics, cheaply, in your classroom to enhance your understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM.
https://connect.its.txstate.edu/stennisnasaepd

NASA Resources for Home School
Audience: Home School Educators of Grades K-12
Event Date: Feb. 16, 2015, at 5:30 p.m. EST
Participants in this webinar will get an overview of resources and join a discussion of modifications to accommodate small groups or individual students. Materials covered will focus on science, mathematics and engineering.
https://connect.its.txstate.edu/marshallnasaepd/

SMAP: Follow the Water (Satellite Mission to Observe Soil Moisture)
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades K-8
Event Date: Feb. 17, 2015, at 4:30 p.m. EST
The Soil Moisture Active Passive, or SMAP, is an orbiting observatory designed to measure soil moisture. Scientists will use this data to help improve our understanding of how water (in its various forms) circulates. The webinar will provide project-based learning activities exploring the importance of the water cycle and sustainability.
https://connect.its.txstate.edu/glennnasaepd/

NASA Is With You When You Fly: Principles of Flight
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades K-12
Event Date: Feb. 18, 2015, at 7:30 p.m. EST
Did you know that NASA is with you when you fly? Come explore aeronautics, the parts of an airplane, the four forces of flight, standards-aligned mathematics, science and engineering activities, and interactive multimedia. Make real-world connections with NASA research and the airplanes that are flying today.
https://connect.its.txstate.edu/armstrongnasaepd/

NASA Rockets 2 Racecars Introduction
Audience: In-service, Pre-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades 4-9
Event Date: Feb. 19, 2015, at 9:30 a.m. EST
Science, technology, engineering and mathematics are the foundation for a successful career in racing, as well as NASA! Like driving a racecar or launching a rocket, mastering these subjects takes some practice. Bring the excitement of racing and the thrill of aerospace into your classroom. Take a pit stop, and learn how to get students “revved up” about STEM!
https://connect.its.txstate.edu/stennisnasaepd/

Magnetospheric Multiscale Mathematics
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades 5-8
Event Date: Feb. 19, 2015, at 5:30 p.m. EST
Participants will learn about the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission set to launch in March 2015 and the mathematics-based educator guide associated with the mission. Participants will learn about the mission, get an overview of the lesson and engage in discussion about classroom implementation.
https://connect.its.txstate.edu/marshallnasaepd/

Questions about this series of webinars should be directed to Steve Culivan at Stephen.p.culivan@nasa.gov.

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The NASA Academies offered at Armstrong Flight Research Center, Ames Research Center, Langley Research Center, Glenn Research Center and Marshall Space Flight Center are soliciting applications from U.S. citizens majoring in STEM (including citizens of U.S. territories Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands and Northern Marianas). The applicants must be undergraduate or graduate students enrolled full-time in accredited universities and colleges in the U.S. and its territories. Students may apply to any of the NASA Academies by following the following steps for students: 

1. Log into the NASA One Stop Shopping Initiative, or OSSI, site at https://intern.nasa.gov.
2. Register and set up your account.
3. Select the “Search Opportunities” tab at the top bar.
4. Select NASA Center(s) of Interest under “NASA Center/Facility.”
5. Enter “Academy” in the “Keywords” block at the bottom of the screen.
6. Click the “Search” button at the very bottom of screen; a list of Academy Opportunities will then be displayed.
7. Click on the “View” icon in the first column under “Action” to read about the Opportunity you are interested in, followed by comments on additional instructions for completing your application, including two requested essays.

The deadline for receipt of NASA Academy application(s) and associated documents is Feb. 15, 2015.

Questions about NASA Academy should be directed to NASA-Academy-Application@mail.nasa.gov.

Get Fired Up at NASA Social Event During Space Launch System Booster Test Fire in Utah

NASA invites social media followers to a unique two-day NASA Social event on March 10-11, 2015, in Utah. The event will bring 45 social media users together to witness the test firing of the largest, most powerful booster ever built.

NASA Socials are in-person meetings with people who engage with the agency through Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and other social networks. This historic event is open to 45 individuals to come to the ATK Aerospace Group’s test facilities in Promontory, Utah, to participate in two days of fun-filled activities that will culminate in the booster test firing on March 11. Please note that registration for the event is only for a single person and is nontransferable. Because of space limitations, the registration does not allow for guests; if you know of others who would like to participate, they will have to complete their own registration.

NASA Social participants will have the opportunity to do the following: 
— View the test firing for the booster being designed and built for the Space Launch System, or SLS, NASA’s new heavy-lift rocket in development to enable missions to go farther into space than ever before.
— Get behind-the-scenes tours of the ATK Aerospace Group’s facilities, including the work center where the motor cases are lined with insulation, the control room for mixing and casting where the operations for the booster are controlled, and the final assembly area where the booster segments are assembled prior to being static fired or launched.
— Attend a Q&A session with NASA and ATK representatives that will air live on NASA TV.
— Meet fellow space enthusiasts who are active on social media.
— Meet members of NASA’s social media team.

Registration is open until 5 p.m. EST on Feb. 16, 2015. NASA will select 45 participants at random from Web registrants. Additional applicants will be placed on a waiting list. Each participant must be age 18 or older. 

For more NASA Social and sign-up information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/sls-hot-fire-social/. 

To join and track the conversation online during the NASA Socials, follow the hashtags #NASASocial and #SLSfiredup.

To learn more about the Space Launch System, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/sls/. 

Questions about this NASA Social event should be directed to HQ-Social@mail.nasa.gov.

Release of Cooperative Agreement Notice for NASA Science Mission Directorate Science Education

NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, or SMD, has released a Cooperative Agreement Notice, or CAN, soliciting team-based proposals for SMD science education for community review and comment. The final text is downloadable from the NSPIRES Web page at https://nspires.nasaprs.com/ by selecting Solicitations and searching for NASA Science Education or NNH15ZDA004C.

The goal of NASA SMD Science Education is to enable NASA scientists and engineers into the learning environment more efficiently and effectively for learners of all ages. This CAN is to meet the following NASA SMD Science Education Objectives: Enabling STEM education, improving U.S. science literacy; advancing National education goals; and leveraging science education through partnerships. NASA intends to select one or more focused, science discipline-based team(s). While it is envisioned that multiple agreements may be awarded, selection of a single award to support all of SMD science education requirements is not precluded. Awards are anticipated by Sept. 30, 2015.

Issuance of this CAN is dependent on programmatic factors, including NASA receiving an appropriation and operating plan containing adequate funding within the NASA budget. Any costs incurred by prospective investigators in preparing submissions in response to this CAN are incurred completely at the submitter’s own risk.

A virtual preproposal conference will be held on Feb. 17, 2015, at 1 p.m. EST to provide interested parties with the opportunity to better understand the intent, scope, and selection criteria of this CAN. Information about the preproposal conference will be posted at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/.

Programmatic questions regarding this solicitation should be submitted no later than 15 days prior to the proposal due date by email using the character string “Science Education CAN” (without quotes) included in the subject line of all transmissions. The identity of those submitting comments will be held in confidence. Answers to questions about this Announcement and Frequently Asked Questions from the draft CAN text are available on the website at https://nspires.nasaprs.com/. Note that it is the responsibility of interested proposers to check for such information prior to the submission of their proposals. 

Programmatic questions should be submitted to:
Kristen Erickson
Email: CANsci-ed@hq.nasa.gov
Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters
300 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20546

Anticipated NASA SMD Science Education CAN schedule:
CAN Release Date — Feb. 4, 2015
Preproposal Conference — Feb. 17, 2015 (1 p.m. EST)
Notice of Intent to Propose Deadline — March 4, 2015
Electronic Proposal Submittal Deadline — May 4, 2015, at 11:59 p.m. EDT
Selections Announced (target) — Summer 2015
Projects Begin (target) — Oct. 1, 2015

National Space Biomedical Research Institute’s Graduate Education Program in Space Life Sciences

The National Space Biomedical Research Institute, or NSBRI, seeks solutions to health concerns facing astronauts on long missions. The institute′s research also benefits patients on Earth. This NSBRI-sponsored training program in space life sciences enables students to pursue doctorate degrees at Texas A&M University and to focus their research on space life sciences and fields related to the space initiative. Texas A&M currently is recruiting participants for fall 2015. Students will pursue degrees in biomedical engineering, genetics, kinesiology, health physics or nutrition, or an M.D./Ph.D. or a Ph.D. in medical sciences.

Application packages are due Feb. 17, 2015.

For more information, visit http://SLSGraduateProgram.tamu.edu.

Questions about this opportunity should be directed to Stella Taddeo at stellat@tamu.edu.

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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 as well as on NASA TV and will be archived for on-demand viewing.

Space Junk: Trash That Can Kill
Feb. 18, 2015, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. EST
We think of outer space as pretty empty, but that’s not the case around planet Earth. Millions of pieces of man-made debris are floating around there. This debris causes potential problems for astronauts, satellites, and other important pieces of equipment circling Earth.

“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 contact Myra Banks-Scott at banksscottm@si.edu.

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.

NASA’s ESTEEM “Ask US” Online Professional Development Series

NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Program, or MUREP, is sponsoring a series of Google Plus Hangout professional development events for K-12 educators. The Earth Systems, Technology and Energy Education for MUREP, or ESTEEM, team will lead the monthly sessions that will cover a variety of climate topics. This month’s webinar topic is:

Change Over Time: Investigate Climate Change Impacts in the Southwest — Feb. 18, 2015, at 7 p.m. EST
The National Climate Assessment, released in May of 2014, summarizes the impacts of climate change on the United States, touching on many disciplines: earth science, biology, human health, engineering, technology, economics and policy. Explore the document with a lead National Climate Assessment author, then learn about related educator resources with Minda Berbeco from the National Center for Science Education. Discover resources that will enable you to bring this topic into classroom lessons, engage students in data collection and analyses and share visualizations and citizen science projects. The focus this month will be on the Southwest region. Watch for additional regions of the U.S. to be featured in upcoming “Ask US” sessions.

Certificates of professional development hours are available upon request. 

For more information on this event and upcoming webinar sessions, visit http://nice.larc.nasa.gov/asknice/. Questions about this series should be sent to Bonnie Murray at bonnie.murray@nasa.gov.

Have you ever talked to an astronomer? To participate in an informal conversation with an astronomy researcher, join the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum for a series of Astronomy Chats. The researchers work at a variety of institutions, including the Smithsonian, NASA, Harvard University and the U.S. Naval Research Lab. If they cannot come in person, they join by video chat.

The conversation may be on any topic of interest to you. Visitors frequently ask questions like, “What’s an average day like for you?” or “What kind of telescopes have you used?”

Astronomy Chats take place at the Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory at the Smithsonian Institution in the District of Columbia. During inclement weather, the chats may be moved indoors, usually to the Explore the Universe gallery. Both locations are accessible. There is no admission fee.

Astronomy Chats are scheduled for Feb. 19, Feb. 22 and March 5, 2015. 

For more information about the Smithsonian’s Astronomy Chat Series, visit http://airandspace.si.edu/events/astronomy-chats/index.cfm. 

Questions about this series should be directed to the visitor service line at 202-633-2214.

Call for Abstracts: 66th International Astronautical Congress

NASA announces its intent to participate in the 66th International Astronautical Congress, or IAC, and requests that full-time U.S. graduate students attending U.S. universities respond to this “Call for Abstracts.”

The IAC — which is organized by the International Astronautical Federation, or IAF; the International Academy of Astronautics, or IAA; and the International Institute of Space Law, or IISL — is the largest space-related conference worldwide and selects an average of 1,000 scientific papers every year. The upcoming IAC will be held Oct. 12-16, 2015, in Jerusalem, Israel. NASA’s participation in this event is an ongoing effort to continue to bridge NASA with the astronautical and space international community.

This “Call for Abstracts” is a precursor to a subsequent submission of a final paper, which may be presented at the 66th IAC. Student authors are invited to submit an abstract regarding an original, unpublished paper that has not been submitted in any other forum. A NASA technical review panel will select abstracts from those that have been accepted by the International Astronautical Federation. This opportunity is for graduate students majoring in fields related to the IAF research topics. Students may submit technical (oral) presentations and/or posters. Students may submit abstracts that are co-authored with their Principal Investigators. However, the student must be the “lead author,” and only the student will present at the IAC. Students must be available to travel to the conference to represent NASA and their universities. Students must be U.S. citizens, attending a U.S. university, who plan to enter a career in space science or aeronautics. Pending the availability of funding, graduate students selected by NASA to participate in the IAC will be considered for subsidy funding from NASA.

Many students and professors are currently involved in NASA-related research that could be considered for this submission. Students submitting abstracts are strongly encouraged to seek advice from professors who are conducting NASA research and/or from NASA scientists and engineers. Abstracts must be related to NASA’s ongoing vision for space exploration and fit into one of the following IAC categories:

— Science and Exploration — Systems sustaining missions, including life, microgravity, space exploration, space debris and Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence, or SETI
— Applications and Operations — Ongoing and future operational applications, including earth observation, communication, navigation, human space endeavors and small satellites
— Technology — Common technologies to space systems including astrodynamics, structures, power and propulsion
— Infrastructure — Systems sustaining space missions including space system transportation, future systems and safety
— Space and Society — Interaction of space with society including education, policy and economics, history, and law

The criteria for the selection will be defined according to the following specifications:
— Abstracts should specify purpose, methodology, results, conclusions and areas for discussion.
— Abstracts should indicate that substantive technical and/or programmatic content is included. 
— Abstracts should clearly indicate that the material is new and original; they should explain why and how. 
— Prospective author(s) should certify that the paper was not presented at a previous meeting.

Abstracts must be written in English, and the length should not exceed 400 words. Tables or drawings are not allowed in the abstract.

NOTE: If you plan to seek assistance from NASA, you must submit to the International Astronautical Federation and to NASA.
— Submit your abstract to the IAF at their website www.iafastro.org by Monday, Feb. 23, 2015 (14:00 CET).
— Submit your abstract to NASA at http://iac.nasaprs.com no later than 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, Feb. 20, 2015.

IAC Paper Selection
Submitted abstracts will be evaluated by the Session Chairs on the basis of technical quality and relevance to the session topics. Selected abstracts may be chosen for eventual oral or poster presentation. Any such choice is not an indication of quality of the submitted abstract. Their evaluation will be submitted to the Symposium Coordinators, who will make acceptance recommendations to the International Programme Committee, which will make the final decision. Please note that any relevance to the Congress main theme will be considered as an advantage.

The following information must be included in the submission: paper title, name of contact author, name of co-author(s), organization(s), full postal address, phone, email of the author and co-author(s). Abstract should specify purpose, methodology, results and conclusions and should indicate that substantive technical and/or programmatic content, as well as clearly indicate that the material is new and original and explain why and how.

Please check the IAF and the IAC websites (www.iafastro.org and www.iac2015.org) regularly to get the latest updates on the Technical Programme.

The Design of Discovery Educator Workshop

This fifth annual workshop has a special focus on the engineering solutions associated with space exploration. Participants will investigate what it takes for scientists and engineers to work together to move fantastic ideas from dream to reality to meet the challenges of complex missions. 

Attendees will be the first to learn about a new guided engineering, maker-based “design a mission” project to help students understand the relationship between scientific objectives and the engineering and design process.

The Design of Discovery workshop will take place on March 7, 2015, in four locations.
            — NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California
            — NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas
            — University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado
            — Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, Maryland

Participants will hear the latest on emerging science from the New Horizons mission as it begins to return images of Pluto. Researchers will share how the MESSENGER mission will make a big bang when it runs out of fuel after spending four years in orbit and returning ground-breaking science data from Mercury. And attendees will follow the ion-propelled Dawn mission as it nears orbit around dwarf planet Ceres. 

All sites offer hands-on activities and resources for K-12 and out-of-school-time educators. The cost of the workshop is $25. Lunch and snacks will be provided. Registration closes on Feb. 20, 2015.

For more information, visit http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov/discovery/design_of_discovery.asp. 

Please email any questions about the Design of Discovery workshops to Mary Cullen at mcullen@mcrel.org.

Family Day Events at Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum

The Smithsonian’s Family Day event series celebrates the diverse ethnic and cultural communities that have contributed to aviation and space exploration. Events will commemorate historic and current contributions through presentations and activities for the entire family. The events are free and open to the public.

African American Pioneers in Aviation
Feb. 21, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, District of Columbia
Celebrate the significant contributions African-Americans have made to flight and space exploration despite the overwhelming obstacles they had to overcome. Visitors will enjoy presentations, hands-on activities and stories. They may have the opportunity to meet astronauts, fighter pilots, and others who will share stories of their challenges and accomplishments. Attendees will also learn about inspiring historic figures like Bessie Coleman through re-enactments or story times.
http://airandspace.si.edu/events/heritage-days/african-american/

African American Pioneers in Aviation
Feb. 28, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST
National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia
Celebrate the significant contributions African-Americans have made to flight and space exploration despite the overwhelming obstacles they had to overcome. Visitors will enjoy presentations, hands-on activities and stories. They may have the opportunity to meet astronauts, fighter pilots, and others who will share stories of their challenges and accomplishments. Attendees will also learn about inspiring historic figures like Bessie Coleman through re-enactments or story times.
http://airandspace.si.edu/events/heritage-days/african-american/

Women in Aviation and Space
March 14, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST
National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia
From the days of the earliest pilots to today’s space program, women have made significant contributions. Celebrate the incredible contributions of women in aviation and space exploration at the “Women in Aviation and Space” Family Day. During this event, visitors will have the opportunity to meet female role models and learn about the women who inspired them.
http://airandspace.si.edu/events/heritage-days/womens-history/

Questions about this series of events should be directed to the Visitor Service line at 202-633-2214.

Curious about icy bodies in the outer reaches of our solar system, the effects of space junk on deep-space observation, the latest discoveries about the origins of the universe and new ways galaxy formation is mapped? Come to the Smithsonian’s Stars Lecture Series presented by Smithsonian researchers who are exploring the sun, the moon, planets, stars, galaxies and the universe. These speakers will share behind-the-scenes details about how their research is done and about technologies that advance new discoveries. The lectures will be held at the Albert Einstein Planetarium at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

Each lecture begins at 5:15 p.m. EST and is followed by a Q&A session. Stay after the lecture to visit the museum’s observatory, weather permitting.

Feb. 21, 2015 — Tracing the Structure of the Universe With Galaxy Surveys
Studies of galaxy formation and cosmology have exploded in recent years due to the immense data obtained from large galaxy surveys. Postdoctoral fellow Cameron McBride will discuss how observational data and theory are combined to better understand fundamental questions in our universe, and will highlight some exciting results from ongoing research.

For more information about the Smithsonian’s Stars Lecture Series, visit http://airandspace.si.edu/events/lectures/smithsonian-stars/.

Questions about this lecture series should be directed to the visitor service line at 202-633-2214.

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2015 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships 

Caltech’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships, or SURF, project introduces undergraduate students to research under the guidance of seasoned mentors at Caltech or NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, or JPL. Students experience the process of research as a creative intellectual activity and gain a more realistic view of the opportunities and demands of a professional research career.

SURF is modeled on the grant-seeking process. Students collaborate with potential mentors to define and develop a project and to write research proposals. Caltech faculty or JPL staff review the proposals and recommend awards. Students work over a 10-week period in the summer, mid-June to late August. At the conclusion of the project, each student will submit a technical paper and give an oral presentation at SURF Seminar Day.

All application materials must be received no later than Feb. 22, 2015. For more information, visit http://www.sfp.caltech.edu/programs/surf.

Please email any questions about this opportunity to the Caltech Student-Faculty Programs office at sfp@caltech.edu.

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Museum Alliance Webcast — Space Launch System: Booster 101

NASA’s Digital Learning Network and the Space Launch System team invite you to participate in an interactive webcast featuring Bruce Tiller, deputy manager of the Space Launch System Booster Office. The live event will take place on Feb. 23, 2015, at 4 p.m. EST.

Did you know that NASA is building the largest solid propellant rocket booster in the world? NASA will test this booster on March 11, 2015, at the ATK Aerospace System’s test facility in Promontory, Utah. The booster will power NASA’s Space Launch System, or SLS, which will be used to help send humans to deep space destinations including an asteroid and Mars.

In this presentation, Tiller will webcast live from NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. His presentation will focus on the upcoming rocket booster test, and he will answer questions from webcast viewers around the country.

NASA’s Space Launch System is an advanced, heavy-lift launch vehicle that will provide an entirely new capability for science and human exploration beyond Earth’s orbit. The SLS will give the United States a safe, affordable and sustainable means of extending beyond our current limits and open new doors of discovery from the unique vantage point of space.

Questions may be submitted prior to and during the event via dlinfochannel@gmail.com. 

You may view the webcast as an individual at your personal computer, or set up audio visual equipment in your museum or school for a large group to participate.

To view the webcast, visit http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-dlinfo. 

To learn more about the SLS visit www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/sls/.

After the webcast, presentation materials will be posted on the Museum Alliance member site at https://informal.jpl.nasa.gov/museum/Conversations. A downloadable copy of the webcast and transcript will be posted a week or so later at the same location. Username and password are required to access the member site.

To learn how to become a Museum Alliance member, visit https://informal.jpl.nasa.gov/museum/About.

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Historical NASA Space Artifacts Available for Educational Use

NASA invites eligible U.S. educational institutions, museums and other organizations to screen and request historical artifacts of significance to spaceflight. This is the 25th screening of artifacts since 2009.

Eligible schools, universities, museums, libraries and planetariums may view the artifacts and request specific items through Feb. 23, 2015. Online registrations should include an assigned Department of Education number. Registration also may be made through the requester’s State Agency for Surplus Property office. For instructions, to register and to view and request artifacts online, visit http://gsaxcess.gov/NASAWel.htm.

The artifacts are free of charge and are offered “as-is.” Organizations must cover shipping costs and any handling fees. Shipping fees on smaller items will be relatively inexpensive; however, larger items may involve extensive disassembly, preparation, shipping and reassembly costs. NASA will work closely with eligible organizations to address any unique handling costs.

Questions about this opportunity should be directed to GSAXcessHelp@gsa.gov.

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2015 NASA Glenn Faculty Fellowship Program

Applications are being accepted for the 2015 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 to participate in 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 awards travel expenses and stipends. 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. 23, 2015. For more information about this opportunity, visit http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/files/2015NGFFPApplicationm.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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Free Exploring Space Lecture Series — Attend in Person or View Online

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope’s release into space. The 2015 Exploring Space Lectures will feature world-class scholars discussing some of the most innovative scientific research conducted using Hubble and exploring the insights the telescope has uncovered about our universe. Presenters will also discuss the telescope’s serviceability, design, administration, execution, and place in history.

Fixing Hubble
Feb. 26, 2015, at 8 p.m. EST
The Hubble Space Telescope servicing missions represent humanity’s quest to discover more about our universe and the limits that we will push to achieve this goal. Frank J. “Cepi” Cepollina, associate director of NASA’s Satellite Servicing Capabilities Office, will share the stories, challenges and significance of the Hubble Space Telescope servicing missions.

Servicing the Hubble Space Telescope
March 26, 2015, at 8 p.m. EDT
Launched in 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope was designed to be serviced by the space shuttle. Former astronaut Michael J. Massimino will discuss the final Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission, during which the crew upgraded Hubble through a record-setting series of five spacewalks including the first ever repair of Hubble science instruments in place. 

Hubble Telescope: Looking Back in Time at the Distant Universe
June 11, 2015, at 8 p.m. EDT
One of the Hubble Space Telescope’s greatest triumphs has been the clear view it has given of very distant galaxies. Astronomers Sandra Faber and Robert Williams will discuss how this clearer view has enabled astronomers to piece together the formation of structure in the universe.

The Hubble Space Telescope: The Agony and the Ecstasy
June 30, 2015, at 8 p.m. EDT
The Hubble Space Telescope is the most famous scientific instrument ever built, but its remarkable history has seen numerous ups and downs. Professor Robert Smith, author of the definitive history of the Hubble Space Telescope, will explore some of the most exciting and telling episodes in this rich history.

The lectures will be held at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in the District of Columbia, and attendance is free. However, tickets are required. Come early to see a free film and to meet the lecturer. The lectures will be webcast live for free viewing. Lecture videos will be archived.

For more information about the Smithsonian’s Exploring Space Lecture Series, visit http://airandspace.si.edu/events/lectures/exploring-space/.

Questions about this series should be directed to the Visitor Service line at 202-633-2214.

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NASA/Applied Physics Laboratory Summer Internship 2015

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, or APL, is offering summer projects for students interested in working on NASA missions or space-related research opportunities. 

Students participating in the 2015 NASA/APL Internship Program will work at the APL facility in Laurel, Maryland. Students will receive a stipend for the 10-week program, and housing will be provided. 

Eligible students include undergraduate students who will be sophomores, juniors or seniors as of fall 2015. Graduate students starting their first or second year in fall 2015 are also eligible. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. 

Applications are due Feb. 28, 2015.

For more information about the internship, including a list of opportunities that are currently available, visit https://dnnpro.outer.jhuapl.edu/aplnasaintern/Home.aspx.

Questions about the NASA/APL Internships Program should be emailed to aplnasaintern-web@jhuapl.edu.

The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution mission began orbiting Mars on Sept. 21, 2014. MAVEN will explore the planet′s upper atmosphere, ionosphere and interactions with the solar wind. The mission will provide invaluable insights into the history of Mars′ atmosphere, climate, liquid water and planetary habitability.

Join the MAVEN education team for a one-day workshop on the MAVEN mission and the accompanying elementary program, “Red Planet: Read, Write, Explore!” This program features six standards-based lessons that combine science, literacy and art to help students understand planetary habitability and the MAVEN mission. The workshop will introduce participants to these lessons and concepts. The workshop also will have a session devoted to Spanish-speaking English Language Learner and English as a Second Language students. Attendees will receive free classroom materials.

The workshop will take place on Feb. 28, 2015, in Chandler, Arizona. Registration is $15 and includes a continental breakfast and lunch. Space is limited, so interested educators are encouraged to apply early.

For more information about the workshop and to apply online, visit http://lasp.colorado.edu/home/maven/education-outreach/for-educators/red-planet/arizona.

Please email any questions about this opportunity to epomail@lasp.colorado.edu.

Scholarships Available for 2015 U.S. Space & Rocket Center^® STEMcon Professional Development Sessions 

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center^® is offering scholarships to educators from NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center’s five-state region to attend a four-day professional development session featuring NASA-focused STEM content and resources.

This is a terrific opportunity to learn new ways to bring science to life both inside and outside the classroom. STEMcon provides 32 hours of intensive classroom, laboratory and training time. During the program, educators participate in astronaut-style training and simulations, along with activities designed to promote lifelong learning. All lessons and activities are correlated to Next Generation Science Standards and other national standards and are ready to use in various educational settings.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the NASA Competitive Program for Science Museums and Planetariums. The scholarship includes tuition, meals, lodging, lesson materials and a stipend to help offset travel expenses.

STEMcon sessions will take place June 4-7, 2015, (arrive June 3; depart June 7) and July 9-12, 2015, (arrive July 8; depart July 12).

STEMcon applications are due by 11:59 p.m. CST on Feb. 28, 2015.

To be considered for a 2015 STEMcon scholarship, educators must meet the following requirements:

1. Must be ONE of the following:
— a certified current or practicing educator who is teaching science, mathematics or technology to students ages 10-14 and will continue to teach these subject areas through 2016, OR
—  an informal current or practicing educator who is teaching science, mathematics or technology to students ages 10-14 and will continue to teach these subject areas through 2016, OR
— a preservice educator who will be teaching science, mathematics or technology to students ages 10-14 and will continue to teach these subject areas through 2016.

2. Have not previously attended a Space Academy for Educators program.

3. Must live in the five-state Marshall Space Flight Center service area: Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri and Tennessee.

For more information and to access the online application, visit https://spacecamp.fluidreview.com/. 

If you have questions about the 2015 STEMcon opportunity, please email your inquiries to education@spacecamp.com.

NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellowships

The NASA Postdoctoral Program, or NPP, supports NASA’s goal to expand scientific understanding of the Earth and the universe in which we live.

Selected by a competitive peer-review process, NPP fellows complete one- to three-year fellowships that offer scientists and engineers unique opportunities to conduct research in fields of science relevant to NASA.

These opportunities advance NASA’s missions in earth science, heliophysics, astrophysics, planetary science, astrobiology, space bioscience, aeronautics and engineering, human exploration and operations, and space technology. Opportunities are available at NASA centers and other NASA-approved sites.

As a result, NPP fellows contribute to national priorities for scientific exploration, confirm NASA’s leadership in fundamental research and complement the efforts of NASA’s partners in the national science community.

U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents and foreign nationals eligible for J-1 status as a research scholar may apply. Applicants must have completed a doctorate or equivalent degree before beginning the fellowship, but may apply while completing degree requirements. Applicants who earned the Ph.D. more than five years before the deadline date are categorized as senior fellows; all applicants, no matter their category, must apply and become eligible for an NPP award via the same process.

Interested applicants may apply by one of three annual application deadlines: March 1, July 1 and November 1.

For more information and application procedures, go to http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc/.

Questions about this opportunity should be directed to nasapostdoc@orau.org.

Engineering for You Video Contest 2

The National Academy of Engineering, or NAE, is launching the Engineering for You Video Contest 2, or E4U2.

Throughout history, engineering has advanced civilization from the way we connect with each other, to the way we heal, to how we get around and simply have fun. But society still faces major obstacles. The NAE has outlined 14 game-changing opportunities for the 21st century called the Grand Challenges for Engineering. Review the challenges and produce a one- to two-minute video showing how achieving one or more of the NAE Grand Challenges for Engineering will lead to a more sustainable, healthy, secure and/or joyous world.

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 March 2, 2015.

For more information, visit http://www.nae.edu/e4u2/.

Questions about the E4U2 Video Contest should be directed to E4Uvideocontest@nae.edu.

The NACA Centenary: A Symposium on 100 Years of Aerospace Research and Development

On March 3, 1915, Congress established the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, or N-A-C-A, “to separate the real from the imagined and make known the overlooked and unexpected” in the quest for flight. In 1958, the NACA’s staff, research facilities and know-how were transitioned to the new NASA.

NASA’s History Program Office and the Smithsonian are hosting a special symposium open to the public that commemorates a century of aerospace research and development. The symposium will take place March 3-4, 2015, at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in the District of Columbia. The two-day event will feature keynote addresses and moderated discussion panels.

For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/naca_symposium/.

Questions about the symposium should be directed to Nadine Andreassen at histinfo@hq.nasa.gov.

White House Office of Science and Technology Policy’s Summer 2015 Policy Internship Program

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, or OSTP, is seeking students for summer 2015 internships. The OSTP advises the President on the effects of science and technology on domestic and international affairs. The office serves as a source of scientific and technological analyses and judgment for the president with respect to major policies, plans and programs of the federal government.

Policy internships are open to interested students from all majors and programs, including law school programs. Law students (and any other students) who are interested in policy may apply. Applicants must be U.S. citizens who are enrolled, at least half-time, in an accredited college or university during the period of volunteer service. Students in undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in all fields are encouraged to apply.

While these positions are without compensation, the assignments provide educational enrichment, practical work experience and networking opportunities with other individuals in the science and technology policy arena.

Applications for summer 2015 internships are due March 15, 2015. 

For more information, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ostp/about/student.

If you have questions about this opportunity, please contact Rebecca Grimm at rgrimm@ostp.eop.gov.

Library of Congress 2015 Summer Institutes — Teaching With Primary Sources

The Library of Congress is now accepting applications for its week-long summer programs for K-12 educators. Held at the Library of Congress in the District of Columbia, this professional development opportunity provides educators with tools and resources to effectively integrate primary sources into K-12 classroom teaching, with an emphasis on student engagement, critical thinking and construction of knowledge.

The Library is offering five programs this summer: three of the programs are open to teachers and librarians across all content areas, one focuses on civil rights, and another concentrates on primary sources in science. Tuition and materials are provided at no cost.

General Institutes: Open to K-12 teachers and school librarians across the content areas
— Session 1: June 22-26, 2015
— Session 2: July 6-10, 2015
— Session 3: July 27-31, 2015

Civil Rights Institute: Open to K-12 teachers and school librarians with teaching responsibilities related to civil rights
— Civil Rights Institute: August 3-7, 2015

Science Institute: Recommended for K-12 educators who teach science or collaborate with science teachers
— Science Institute: July 20-24, 2015

Applications are due March 24, 2015, and require a letter of recommendation. 

For more information and to submit an application, visit http://www.loc.gov/teachers/professionaldevelopment/teacherinstitute/.

Questions about this opportunity should be directed to teachinglcsummer@loc.gov.

This spring, students worldwide are invited to grab rain gauges and learn how scientists use ground measurements to validate satellite precipitation data.

NASA’s Global Precipitation Measurement, or GPM, mission is partnering with the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment, or GLOBE, program to conduct a field campaign where students will measure rain and snow in their hometowns through April 15, 2015, and then analyze the data.

To evaluate how well satellite instruments observe precipitation from space, NASA collects data in field campaigns on the ground. In formal ground validation campaigns, teams of scientists deploy rain gauges and ground-based radar instruments to measure precipitation in different terrains, like the Appalachian Mountains, the flood plains of Iowa or snowy Finland. Then they compare the collected data to measurements from satellites and aircraft instruments that simulate satellite observations.

The GLOBE-GPM field campaign is designed to give students a similar experience. Students will use simple manual rain gauges to collect precipitation data and enter them into the online GLOBE database. Using an example analysis as a template, the students will then analyze their data.

Students also will be encouraged to develop their own scientific questions to be answered by the data and compare their observations to ground observations from other sources — nearby GLOBE schools, National Weather Service ground stations or other citizen science data sources — as well as to satellite precipitation data available from NASA.

Educators will have access to a series of blog entries where scientists and engineers describe their research and how they became interested in STEM fields. The campaign will post a discussion board for educators to share ways to use citizen science, GPM data and NASA activities with students.

For more information about the GPM-GLOBE program, visit http://www.globe.gov/web/gpm.

For more GPM Precipitation education material, visit http://gpm.nasa.gov/education.

For more information about GPM, visit http://www.nasa.gov/gpm or http://gpm.nasa.gov.

Please email any questions about this opportunity to Kristen Weaver at kristen.l.weaver@nasa.gov.

2015 Lunar Workshop for Educators

NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, or LRO, mission is sponsoring a pair of workshops for educators of students in grades 6-9. Each workshop will focus on lunar science, exploration and how our understanding of the moon is evolving with the new data from current and recent lunar missions. 

The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has allowed scientists to measure the coldest known place in the solar system, map the surface of the moon in unprecedented detail and accuracy, find evidence of recent lunar geologic activity, characterize the radiation environment around the moon and its potential effects on future lunar explorers and much, much more! 

Workshop participants will learn about these and other recent discoveries. They will reinforce their understanding of lunar science concepts; gain tools to help address common student misconceptions about the moon; and interact with lunar scientists and engineers. Participants will work with LRO data and learn how to bring the data and information to their students using hands-on activities aligned with grades 6-9 Next Generation Science Standards.

The workshops will take place July 6-10, 2015, and July 13-17, 2015, at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to tour the LRO Mission Operation Center and the Goddard spacecraft testing facilities.

For more information and to register to attend, visit http://lunar.gsfc.nasa.gov/lwe/index.html.

Questions about this workshop should be directed to Andrea Jones at Andrea.J.Jones@nasa.gov.