Status Report

NASA Education Express Message — July 16, 2015

By SpaceRef Editor

July 15, 2015

Filed under Education, NASA Education Office, US

Top 10 NASA Education Downloads for June 2015

What were the most popular NASA education products downloaded from NASA.gov during June 2015? Check out last month’s Top 10 and add them to your classroom curriculum.

Water Rocket Construction — Grades 4-12
Working in teams, students construct a simple bottle rocket from 2-liter soft drink bottles and other materials. Air pressure and water power the rocket.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Water_Rocket_Construction.html

Water Rocket Launcher Directions – Grades 5-12
Use simple tools to construct a soda bottle rocket launcher using “off-the-shelf” hardware and wood.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Water_Rocket_Launcher_Directions.html

A Pictorial History of Rockets — Grades K-12
From Archytas, a mathematician in 400 B.C., to privately owned rockets of the 21st century, this timeline of rocket history includes pictures, dates, and descriptions of key events and people.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/A_Pictorial_History_of_Rockets.html

How Rockets Work — Grades K-12
This overview of rocketry includes an explanation of Newton’s Laws of Motion, which support the basic principles of rocketry.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/How_Rockets_Work.html

Pop! Rocket Launcher Directions – Grades K-6
Learn how to build a launcher that students stomp to propel a rocket. The launcher can be used for any large paper rocket.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Pop_Rocket_Launcher_Directions.html

I Want to Hold Your Hand — Grades 3-5
NASA uses robotic explorers to collect information about places where humans cannot travel. This classroom activity leads students to build and test a robotic-like hand.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/I_Want_to_Hold_Your_Hand.html

Foam Rocket – Grades 4-12
Students will construct rockets made from foam for insulating pipes and use the rockets to investigate the trajectory relationship between launch angle and range in a controlled investigation.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Foam_Rocket.html

3… 2… 1… Puff! – Grades K-8
Students will construct small “indoor” paper rockets, determine their flight stability, and launch them by blowing air through a drinking straw.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/3_2_1_Puff.html

Pop! Rockets – Grades K-6
Students build a rocket with a triangular cross section made from three rocket-shaped strips of card-stock paper and then launch it with the Pop! Rocket Launcher.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Pop_Rockets.html

Advanced High-Power Paper Rockets – Grades 3-12
Students select a flight mission (what they want the rocket to do) and design and construct a high-power paper rocket that will achieve the mission. They construct their rocket, predict its performance, fly the rocket, and file a post-flight mission report. Missions include achieving high-altitude records, landing on a “planetary” target, carrying payloads, testing a rocket recovery system, and more.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Advanced_High_Power_Paper_Rockets.html

Looking for more resources? NASA’s new Educational Resource Search Tool can help you find lesson plans, posters, educator guides and other materials to supplement your science, technology, engineering and mathematics curriculum. Search hundreds of resources by subject, grade level, type and keywords.

To check out the search tool and begin your hunt for educational resources, visit http://www.nasa.gov/education/materials/.

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Free Education Webinars From NASA Educator Professional Development

The NASA STEM Educator Professional Development Collaborative at Texas State University is presenting a series of free webinars open to all educators. Join NASA education specialists to learn about activities, lesson plans, educator guides and resources that bring NASA into your classroom. Registration is required to participate. Simply click on the link provided beneath the webinar description to register.

Eating Math and Science With Servings of Space Food and Nutrition
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades 5-12
Event Date: July 16, 2015, at 6 p.m. EDT
Eat your way through math and science. This webinar will explore NASA STEM curriculum designed to investigate space food and nutrition for astronauts. Participants will investigate NASA resources related to the caloric content and nutritional value of space foods and the nutritional needs of astronauts. Using these resources, learn how to construct sample space food menus as a way of better understanding space food and nutrition for human space exploration. Come explore a menu of inquiry activities and other resources integrating this exciting topic and satisfy your STEM appetite. Register online to participate. https://www.etouches.com/133862

Exploring Strange New Worlds Series: Blue Marble Matches
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades 3-12
Event Date: July 20, 2015, at 9 a.m. EDT
Explore how scientists and engineers work together to gather and interpret data from satellites that are exploring the solar system. In this webinar, participants will identify common geologic characteristics to describe planetary features in images; identify geologic features and how they form on Earth; create a list of criteria to identify geologic features; and identify geologic features in images of other planetary bodies. Learn how documenting observations and interpretations can help researchers draw conclusions about processes that shape the surface of other planetary bodies. Register online to participate. https://www.etouches.com/133527

Exploring Strange New Worlds Series: Discovering a New Planet
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades K-8
Event Date: July 21, 2015, at Noon EDT
Explore what it’s like to discover a new planet. With the integration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, participants will learn how to discover new features on a planet. This webinar for educators of grades K-8 will highlight remote-sensing techniques and the New Horizons mission to Pluto. The webinar also will address Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core mathematics skills. Register online to participate. https://www.etouches.com/134341

Rockets 2 Racecars: Session 3 — Train Like an Astronaut
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades 3-9
Event Date: July 22, 2015, at 4 p.m. EDT
Get your students revved up about science, technology, engineering and mathematics with NASA’s Rockets 2 Racecars (R2R) STEM Education webinar series! Participants will increase their understanding of the science of racing and forces and motion of flight through hands-on activities aligned with national and state standards. During this webinar, teachers will discover correlations between stock car drivers and astronauts. These correlations include muscle strength and endurance, reaction time, and effects to the brain when exposed to high levels of carbon dioxide. These webinars are independent sessions, and participation in other sessions is not required. Register online to participate. https://www.etouches.com/133119

Exploring Strange New Worlds Series: Exoplanets and Kepler Mission
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades 4-8
Event Date: July 27, 2015, at 4 p.m. EDT
The centuries-old quest for other worlds like Earth has been rejuvenated by the intense excitement and popular interest surrounding the discovery of hundreds of planets orbiting other stars. There is now clear evidence for substantial numbers of the three types of exoplanets: gas giants, hot super-Earths in short period orbits, and ice giants. During this webinar, participants will learn to use tools scientists use to determine planet characteristics, learn about the Kepler mission, and explore and interpret data from the mission. Register online to participate. https://www.etouches.com/133574

ISS Across the Curriculum: Social Studies and Geography in Space
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades 4-8
Event Date: July 28, 2015, at 6 p.m. EDT
The International Space Station is not just a science and mathematics mission. It is a unique, orbiting laboratory that travels around the world and across your curriculum. This webinar will explore how the space station can be integrated into your social studies and geography curriculum with NASA inquiry lessons, online resources and teaching strategies. Let the space station bring space and the world around us together in your classroom. Register online to participate. https://www.etouches.com/129777

Art and the Cosmic Connection
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades K-12
Event Date: July 29, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. EDT
Geology meets art! Let you inner geologist use art to recreate craters, mountains, rivers, wind-driven landscapes and more. Learn to read planetary images as well as Earth images. Activities shared here meet Next-Generation Science Standards for Earth’s Place in the Universe, Earth Systems, and Social Studies Integrations. Register online to participate. https://www.etouches.com/134190

Rockets 2 Racecars: Session 4 — Educators Go Green
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades 3-9
Event Date: July 30, 2015, at 4 p.m. EDT
Get your students revved up about science, technology, engineering and mathematics with NASA’s Rockets 2 Racecars STEM Education webinar series! In this webinar, participants will have access to various solar and engineering activities for the classroom and will discover various solar energy uses in space as well as on planet Earth. Join NASA specialists to discuss how NASA uses the power of the sun in its missions, such as the International Space Station and Mars Exploration Rovers, as well as how Pocono Raceway uses solar energy at the Pocono Raceway track! Register online to participate. https://www.etouches.com/133233

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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Visit NASA Education at Thursday Night on the Square Events in Palmdale, California

NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center’s Office of Education and its partner the AERO Institute are taking part in the weekly summertime Thursday Night on the Square activities sponsored by the City of Palmdale, California.

Located adjacent to the AERO Institute buildings in the Palmdale Civic Center, Thursday Night on the Square is an eight-week series of outdoor festivals involving entertainment, arts and crafts, special presentations, and informal education activities. Each week focuses on a different theme. This year’s series began on June 25 and concludes Aug. 13.

The NASA Armstrong Aerospace Education Gallery will be open for the public, and visitors will have the opportunity to visit various exhibits on display in the Gallery. An educational presentation and hands-on activities will be conducted in the Educator Resource Center, also located at the AERO Institute. Teacher packs will be available to educators and handouts to the public to give them additional information on the hands-on activity and the presentation they viewed.

For more information, visit http://www.aeroi.org/documents/2015%20TNOTS%20Flyer.pdf.

If you have any questions about the events, please email the Sondra Geddes at sondra.l.geddes@nasa.gov.

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2015 von Kármán Lecture Series — Attend in Person or View Online

The Theodore von Kármán Lecture Series, named after the founder of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and presented by JPL’s Office of Communication and Education, share the excitement of the space program’s missions, instruments and other technologies.

Lectures take place twice per month, on consecutive Thursdays and Fridays. The Thursday lectures take place in JPL’s Theodore von Kármán Auditorium, and Friday lectures take place at Pasadena City College’s Vosloh Forum. Both start at 7 pm. PDT (10 p.m. EDT). Admission and parking are free for all lectures. No reservations are required, but seating is limited. The Thursday evening lectures are also streamed live for viewing online. Archives of past lectures are also available online.

The next lecture in the series is:

Discovery at Mars
Event Date: July 16 and July 17, 2015, at 7 pm. PDT (10 p.m. EDT)
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/events/lectures_archive.php?year=2015&month=7
July 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of Mariner 4, the first spacecraft to successfully fly by the planet Mars. After a half-century of exploring the Red Planet, scientists continue to be surprised by findings there. Join Blaine Baggett, director of the Office of Communication and Education at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, for an evening to celebrate the past, survey the present and ponder the future possibilities of discovery at Mars.

For more information about the Theodore von Kármán Lecture Series, including a complete list of upcoming lectures, visit http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/events/lectures.php.

Questions about this series should be directed to the http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/contact_JPL.php.

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Teacher Professional Development Programs at the NASTAR Center

The National AeroSpace Training and Research, or NASTAR, Center is hosting a series of teacher professional development programs throughout the month of July. Here’s your chance to experience acceleration in a centrifuge, pilot an airplane simulator, or explore the gas laws in an altitude chamber. Each one-day workshop is worth eight hours of continuing education.

One-day workshops are planned for multiple dates in July. To see a full list of workshop dates, visit http://www.nastarcenter.com/nastar-teacher-professional-development-program-dates-for-2015.

For more information about the workshops and to download a registration packet, visit http://www.nastarcenter.com/education/teachers.

The NASTAR Center is located in Southampton, Pennsylvania, a northern suburb of Philadelphia. The center is an Affiliate Member of the NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium. Funding from the NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium supports these programs, so they are offered at no cost to teachers.

Questions about this series of workshops should be directed to Greg Kennedy at gkennedy@nastarcenter.com.

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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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Cast Your Vote in the Ceres “Bright Spot” Mystery Poll

On March 6, 2015, NASA’s Dawn spacecraft began orbiting Ceres, the largest body in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Even before the spacecraft arrived at the dwarf planet, images revealed mysterious bright spots that captivated scientists and observers alike.

Can you guess what’s creating those unusual bright spots on Ceres? Until Dawn gets a closer look over the next few months, it’s anyone’s guess what those spots could be.

To learn more and to cast your vote, visit http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/dawn/world_ceres/.

For more information about the Dawn mission, visit http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov/.

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New York Space Grant Community College Partnership Program Workshop

The New York Space Grant Community College Partnership Program is presenting a workshop for community college and technical school faculty from New York State to encourage student engagement in research activities. The workshop will take place July 20-24, 2015, at the Borough of Manhattan Community College.

Workshop attendees will gain insight into implementing a Methods of Scientific Research course. This innovative course has engaged dozens of research students at the City University of New York. The course has sharpened their skills in scientific, analogical and proportional reasoning; basic computer skills; and general research skills (e.g., data quality judgment, experimental design and data analysis, statistics). Ideally, it also immerses them in the research environment, building their sense of belonging. The MSR course, which is 100 percent hands-on, and courses like it have been shown to improve STEM retention, particularly for students from underrepresented groups.

Faculty participants will receive a $250 stipend and breakfast and lunch. Participants are eligible for travel support. Attendance at all sessions of the five-day workshop is required.

For more information, visit http://astro.cornell.edu/spacegrant/CCPworkshop_July2015.pdf.

Please email any questions about this program to Professor Tim Paglione at paglione@york.cuny.edu.

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Second Annual NASA Exploration Science Forum

NASA’s Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute, or SSERVI, is pleased to announce the second annual NASA Exploration Science Forum, to be held July 21-23, 2015, at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California.

This year’s forum will feature scientific discussions of exploration targets of interest, including the moon, near-Earth asteroids and the moons of Mars. Science sessions will focus on recent mission results and in-depth analyses of science and exploration studies. The Forum will feature dedicated side events for young professionals including LunaGradCon and a workshop on science journalism.

Forum attendees will have the opportunity to experience the Lunar Mapping and Modeling Portal. The portal is an integrated suite of lunar and planetary mapping and modeling tools and products. This suite supports exploration and science activities, as well as community outreach. Users can navigate a tabletop touch screen to experience a 3-D surface flyover of the moon and other target bodies of interest.

Registration is free, and attendance by the entire exploration science community is encouraged.

For more information and to register to attend, visit http://nesf2015.arc.nasa.gov/.

Please direct questions about this workshop to Brian Day at Brian.H.Day@nasa.gov.

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“Where Over the World Is Astronaut Scott Kelly?” Geography From Space Trivia Contest

During his year-long stay on the International Space Station, astronaut Scott Kelly wants to test your knowledge of the world through a geography trivia game on Twitter. Traveling more than 220 miles above Earth, and at 17,500 miles per hour, he circumnavigates the globe more than a dozen times a day. This gives Kelly the opportunity to see and photograph various geographical locations on Earth. In fact, part of his job while in space is to capture images of Earth for scientific observations.

Follow @StationCDRKelly on Twitter. Each Wednesday, Kelly will tweet a picture and ask the public to identify the place depicted in the photo. The first person to identify the place correctly will win an autographed copy of the picture. Kelly plans to continue posting weekly contest photos until he returns from the space station in March 2016.

For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/feature/where-over-the-world-is-astronaut-scott-kelly.

To learn more about the One-Year Mission, visit http://www.nasa.gov/content/one-year-crew.

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Free ‘Ask an Expert’ Series Presented by Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum

Join the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum for a series of “Ask an Expert” events. Each 15-minute discussion is presented by a member of the museum staff. Upcoming space-related discussions include:

What Did the Apollo 11 Astronauts Bring Home From the Moon?
July 22, 2015, at Noon EDT
http://airandspace.si.edu/events/detail.cfm?id=17152
Join Dr. Allan A. Needell at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, District of Columbia, for a 15-minute discussion about the artifacts brought back from the moon by the Apollo 11 astronauts. Needell joined the museum in 1981 and is responsible for its Apollo artifacts collection. Meet at the museum’s “Great Seal” in the Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall on the first floor.

Getting the Heroes Home
July 23, 2015, at 12:30 p.m. EDT
http://airandspace.si.edu/events/detail.cfm?id=16360
Join Dr. Allan A. Needell at the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, for a 15-minute discussion about the landing and recovery of the Apollo astronauts. Meet at the nose of the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird in the Boeing Aviation Hangar.

Robert Goddard’s Rockets
Aug. 13, 2015, at 12:30 p.m. EDT
http://airandspace.si.edu/events/detail.cfm?id=16556
Join Dr. Michael Neufeld at the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, for a 15-minute discussion about rocket pioneer Robert Goddard. Neufeld joined the museum in 1988 and is a senior curator in the Division of Space History. Meet at the nose of the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird in the Boeing Aviation Hangar.

For more information about the “Ask an Expert” series, visit http://airandspace.si.edu/events/ask-an-expert/.

Please direct questions about this series to the Visitor Service line at 202-633-2214.

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Family Day Events at Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum

The National Air and Space Museum’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.

Mars Day! 2015
July 24, 2015, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. EDT
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, District of Columbia
Mars Day! is an annual event at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum that celebrates the Red Planet with educational and fun family activities. Visitors can talk to scientists active in Mars research and learn about current and future missions. Participants can take part in hands-on educational activities about the geology of Mars and more.
http://airandspace.si.edu/events/marsday/

We Share STEM! Connecting Across Cultures
Aug. 1, 2015, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. EDT
National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia
Learn about the contributions of scientists and engineers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics professions across cultures. Meet scientists and engineers who are active in STEM fields such as robotics, aerospace design and aviation, and develop your own skills through hands-on activities.
http://airandspace.si.edu/events/detail.cfm?id=16818

Milestones in Aviation and Space
Aug. 8, 2015, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. EDT
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, District of Columbia
Explore how aviation and space exploration have changed the world! Celebrate the amazing accomplishments in aviation and aerospace, from jets making Hawaii a more accessible vacation destination to the CST-100 taking astronauts into space.
http://airandspace.si.edu/events/detail.cfm?id=16881

Please direct questions about this series of events to the Visitor Service line at 202-633-2214.

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White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities — Webinar on Federal Funding Opportunities at NASA

The White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities is hosting a webinar to educate HBCUs on the grants and opportunities available to them through NASA. The hourlong webinar will take place July 30, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. EDT.

This webinar will feature a presentation by NASA highlighting the agency’s funding opportunities for HBCUs. Representatives from the HBCU community are invited and encouraged to view the webinar live and ask questions.

To join the online meeting: (Now also accessible from mobile devices!)

1. Go to https://nasa.webex.com/nasa/j.php?MTID=m8de808fc1a1775a0de89a5fa82d76d79.
2. If requested, enter your name and email address.
3. If a password is required, enter the meeting password: DELL$567wernji
4. Click “Join.”

To view in other time zones or languages, go to https://nasa.webex.com/nasa/j.php?MTID=m8b8587bd0310941c75e4f60da1ae9700.

To join the audio conference only:
Call-in number: 844-467-6272
Participant passcode: 451600#

For technical assistance
1. Go to https://nasa.webex.com/nasa/mc.
2. On the left navigation bar, click “Support.”

For more information, visit http://www.ed.gov/edblogs/whhbcu/2015/07/13/whihbcu-webinar-federal-funding-opportunities-at-nasa-july-30th-1030am-1130am-est/.

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Free Tours of Facilities at NASA’s Glenn Research Center

NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, is offering tours that take visitors behind the scenes and inside certain research facilities. Glenn scientists and engineers serve as guides. Tours will be offered each month through October 2015. Tours are free of charge for groups and individuals on an advance reservation basis. Visitor parking is also available free of charge.

A tour bus departs from Glenn’s main gate every hour beginning at 10 a.m. The last tour departs at 1 p.m. Each tour lasts about 45 minutes and is followed by a stop at Glenn’s Gift Shop.

Glenn’s 2015 Tour Schedule

Aug. 1, 2015 — See Things a Different Way: Check out Glenn’s Graphics and Visualization, or GVIS, and the Reconfigurable User-interface and Virtual Reality Exploration, or GRUVE, Laboratories. The GVIS Lab uses advanced computer input and output devices paired with a variety of natural user interface devices and 3-D displays. The GRUVE lab is used to analyze data obtained either by computer simulation or from research test facilities.

Sept. 12, 2015 — Go to the Extreme: Join us on a tour through Glenn’s Extreme Environments Rig, or GEER. As NASA ventures through the solar system and beyond, spacecraft will experience hostile environments of Venus and other planetary bodies. Temperatures can reach hundreds of degrees. Air pressure is crushing, and the toxic atmosphere is thick. GEER is designed to simulate those temperatures and pressure extremes and accurately reproduce the atmospheric compositions of bodies in the solar system. GEER is currently in its commissioning phase for operations simulating Venus’ surface temperature, pressure and chemistry.

Oct. 3, 2015 — Explore Locomotion on Planets: Come explore the Simulated Lunar Operations facility, which is home to a 60-foot-long, 20-foot-wide sandpit filled with simulated lunar soil and a lunar rover test bed. Other areas simulate Martian soil conditions. Research in this facility will help NASA develop the components of rovers capable of traveling long distances and investigating planetary surfaces during future human and robotic missions to keep NASA’s journey to Mars moving forward.

Tours are open to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. To guarantee admission, reservations are required. For more information on tours and how to make reservations, visit http://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/events/tours.html.

Questions about the tours should be directed to Sheila Reese at sheila.d.reese@nasa.gov.

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Future Engineers: 3-D Space Container Challenge

NASA and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Foundation are challenging K-12 students to create a model of a container for space using 3-D modeling software. Astronauts need containers of all kinds — from advanced containers for studying fruit flies to simple containers for collecting Mars rocks or storing an astronaut’s food. The ability to 3-D print containers in space — on demand — will let humans venture farther into space. That’s why we are challenging students to start designing for space now.

Design entries could be for a container designed for microgravity on the International Space Station or a container designed for future astronauts on Mars! Space is a big place, but your imagination is even bigger. Multiple prizes, based on age groups, are available.

Entries must be submitted by Aug. 2, 2015.

The Design a Space Tool Challenge is the second in a series of challenges where students in grades K-12 create and submit a digital 3-D model of a container that they think astronauts might need in space. Future Engineers is a multiyear education initiative that consists of 3-D space challenges and curriculum videos that parents and educators can use to get kids designing today.

For more information about the challenge and to watch an introductory video, visit http://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-challenges-students-to-design-3-d-space-containers.

If you have any questions about the 3-D Space Container Challenge, please email info@futureengineers.org.

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NASA’s Solar System Exploration Virtual Institute STEAM Workshop in Orlando, Florida

The education/public outreach team from NASA’s Solar System Exploration Virtual Institute, or SSERVI, at Brown University/MIT and the University of Central Florida invite you to take part in a four-day workshop at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida. The event will take place Aug. 2-5, 2015.

The SSERVI team is bringing together a variety of educators, artists and creative, science-savvy citizens to create accessible STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) content for both formal and informal education settings over the next four years. The activities and resources pulled together during this workshop will be collated, printed and distributed internationally as part of a NASA Educator’s Guide.

Ideally, participants will take part in all four years of the project and help to develop, integrate and test curricula. At this first formal education workshop, participants will become familiar with the science content, as well as work together to develop STEAM curricula based on national science, English language arts, art and mathematics standards.

Participants will receive a small stipend for participating, plus set compensation for travel, lodging and meals. See terms and conditions at the workshop website.

For more information and to register to attend, visit http://blogs.cofc.edu/lowcountryhall/sservi-steam-workshop/.

Please direct questions about this workshop to Cassandra Runyon at RunyonC@cofc.edu.

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Center for Astronomy Education Teaching Excellence Workshops — Spring/Summer 2015

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.

August 4-6, 2015 — Honolulu Convention Center in Honolulu, Hawaii
CAE Teaching Excellence Short-Courses on Active Learning in the STEM Classroom

August 15, 2015 — American Museum of Natural History in New York, New York
CAE Northeast Regional Teaching Exchange

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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NOAA’s Climate Education Regional Workshop — Silver Spring, Maryland

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Stewards Education Project is hosting a free climate-science workshop for formal and informal educators on Aug. 5, 2015, at the NOAA Science Center in Silver Spring, Maryland. Participants will hear from and interact with climate science, education and communication experts.

The workshop will focus on an introduction to global climate models exploring the subject of climate change in the same way that research scientists do. Simulations and activities for modeling regional and/or topical impacts of climate change will be shared with a goal of connecting educators and their students/audiences to the best-available, science-based information and resources about climate change.

Attendance is limited and availability will be on a first come, first serve basis, so register early. Participation is free, but attendees are responsible for arranging their own transportation, lodging and meals unless otherwise indicated in workshop details.

All attendees will receive a certificate acknowledging their participation in the workshop as well as the number of professional development hours they have engaged in.

For more information and to register to attend, visit http://climate.gov/teaching/professional-development/climate-education-regional-workshop-silver-spring-md.

For more information about NOAA’s Climate Stewards Project, visit http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/climate-stewards/.

Questions about this workshop should be directed to Peg Steffen at Peg.Steffen@noaa.gov.

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#WhySpaceMatters Photography Competition

NASA and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, or UNOOSA, have launched a global photography competition to highlight how the vantage point of space helps us better understand our home planet, improve lives, and safeguard our future by aiding sustainable development on Earth.

To highlight the role of space-based science and technologies and their applications on Earth, NASA and UNOOSA are inviting the public to submit photos depicting why space matters to us all in our daily lives. To participate, post a picture and description on Instagram using the hashtag #whyspacematters and tagging @UNOOSA.

NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, who is three months into a one-year mission aboard the International Space Station, will announce the winning photo each month by posting it from his Instagram account @StationCDRKelly.

For more information about the competition, visit http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/contests/whyspacematters/index.html.

For more information about the International Space Station and the One-Year Mission, visit http://www.nasa.gov/content/one-year-crew.

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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.

Sept. 26-27, 2015 — University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
CAE Tier I Teaching Excellence Workshop for Current and Future Astronomy and Space Science Instructors

Oct. 3, 2015 — Guilford Technical Community College in Jamestown, North Carolina
CAE Southeast Regional Teaching Exchange

Oct. 17, 2015– Everett Community College in Everett, Washington
CAE Northwest Regional Teaching Exchange

November 2015 — American Center for Physics in College Park, Maryland
New Faculty Workshop for Physics and Astronomy

Jan. 3-4, 2016– Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Kissimmee, Florida
CAE Tier I Teaching Excellence Workshop for Current and Future Astronomy and Space Science Instructors

For more information and to register for workshops online, visit http://astronomy101.jpl.nasa.gov/workshops/index.cfm.

Inquiries about this series of workshops should be directed to Gina Brissenden at gbrissenden@as.arizona.edu.

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Earth Science Week 2015 Contests

The American Geosciences Institute is sponsoring a series of contests to celebrate Earth Science Week 2015. This year’s celebration takes place Oct. 11-17, 2015.

Earth Science Week 2015 Photography Contest — Open to All Ages
http://www.earthsciweek.org/contests/photography/index.html
Geoscientists study our planet’s geosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), atmosphere (air), and biosphere (living things). These spheres — or Earth systems — continually affect and influence one another. With a camera, you can capture evidence of the dynamic impact of change processes in your home, neighborhood, school, workplace or local public spaces. In a photo, show at least one Earth system affecting another Earth system in your community.

Earth Science Week 2015 Visual Arts Contest — Open to Students in Grades K-5
http://www.earthsciweek.org/contests/visualarts/index.html
Earth science is the study of Earth systems — land, water, air and living things. Scientists pay special attention to the ways these things affect each other, such as the way wind shapes the landscape or falling rain nourishes plants. Use artwork to show how land, water, air and living things interact in the world around you.

Earth Science Week 2015 Essay Contest — Open to Students in Grades 6-9
http://www.earthsciweek.org/contests/essay/index.html
Since the earliest hand-drawn maps and diagrams, “visualization” has been an important way of explaining and understanding the interactions of land, water, air and living things. Earth scientists today use more sophisticated technology to monitor and represent these Earth systems — the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. In an original essay no more than 300 words in length, explain one way that geoscientists’ use of cutting-edge visualization is advancing Earth science today.

The entry deadline for all three contests is Oct. 16, 2015. Visit the contest websites for full details.

If you have any questions about these contests, please email the Earth Science Week staff at info@earthsciweek.org.