NASA Education Express Message — June 19, 2014

Check out the following NASA opportunities for the education community. Full descriptions are listed below.

NASA’s Digital Learning Network Event — Engineering Cool Stuff That Works
Audience: All Educators and Students
Event Date: June 20, 2014, 2 – 3 p.m. EDT

White House Office of Science and Technology Policy’s Fall 2014 Policy Internship Program
Audience: Higher Education Educators and Students
Application Deadline: June 20, 2014

NASA Marshall Space Flight Center’s NASA on the Square Event
Audience: All Educators and Students
Event Date: June 21, 2014

NASA GIRLS and NASA BOYS Mentoring Project
Audience: 5-8 Educators and Students
Application Deadline: June 22, 2014

Center for Astronomy Education Teaching Excellence Workshops
Audience: Higher Education Educators and Students
Next Workshop Date: June 23-27, 2014

Free Education Webinar Series From NASA Educator Professional Development
Audience: K-12 In-service, Pre-service, Home School and Informal Educators
Event Dates: June 24-27, 2014

NASA Call for Proposals — Innovative Early Stage Technology
Audience: Higher Education
Intent to Submit Proposals Date: June 24, 2014

Free Lecture — From Air and Space to the Railroad and Beyond: An Evening With Brig. Gen. James A. McDivitt
Audience: All Educators and 9-Higher Education Students
Event Date: June 26, 2014, at 8 p.m. EDT

Call for Abstracts: 30th American Society for Gravitational and Space Research Conference
Audience: Full-time Graduate Students
Submission Deadline EXTENDED to June 27, 2014

NASA Exploration Design Challenge
Audience: K-12 Educators and Students
Virtual Crew Registration Deadline: June 30, 2014

U.S. Department of Education ‘First in the World’ Grant Competition
Audience: Higher Education Institutions
Application Deadline: June 30, 2014

Concept Paper Solicitation: ISS Post-Grad Innovation Awards in Space Life and Physical Science Research
Audience: Higher Education Educators and Students
Concept Paper Due: July 10, 2014

2014 Lunar Workshop for Educators
Audience: 6-9 Educators
Workshop Dates: July 14-18, 2014

Free Lecture — Exploring Pluto and Its Satellites at the Solar System’s Frontier
Audience: All Educators and 9-Higher Education Students
Event Date: July 16, 2014, at 8 p.m. EDT

U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Postsecondary Sustainability Awards
Audience: Higher Education
Intent to Nominate Date: Aug. 1, 2014

Send Your Name to the Asteroid Bennu!
Audience: Educators and Students Worldwide
Deadline: Sept. 30, 2014

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

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NASA’s Digital Learning Network Event — Engineering Cool Stuff That Works

NASA and Center for the Advancement of Science in Space invite students and educators to chat with Mike Yagley, director of Research and Testing at Cobra Puma Golf, for an inside look at how space station research will help engineer a better golf club. From problem solving, designing, understanding materials, analyzing constructions and studying aerodynamics, a solid background in science, technology, engineering and mathematics is required to create golf products.

During the chat, ask your question by sending it via email to dlinfochannel@gmail.com or tweet the question with #askDLN.

The event will be webcast on the NASA DLiNfo Channel on Friday, June 20, 2014, at 2 p.m. EDT.

For more information and to view the webcast, visit http://dln.nasa.gov.

Questions about this event should be directed to Rachel Power at rachel.b.power@nasa.gov.

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White House Office of Science and Technology Policy’s Fall 2014 Policy Internship Program

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, or OSTP, is seeking students for fall 2014 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 fall 2014 internships are due June 20, 2014. 

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.

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Want to See What Marshall Space Flight Center is Doing?
Go to ‘NASA on the Square’ June 21, 2014, in Huntsville.

NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center is having an “open house” on the streets of downtown Huntsville, Alabama, on Saturday, June 21, 2014, complete with rockets, satellites, science, engineering, music, food and fun. Visitors can talk with former astronauts, kids can make their own rockets while learning about space, and Marshall engineers and scientists will explain their missions to help study Earth, the sun and other worlds.

“NASA on the Square” will launch at 11 a.m. and fill the streets and sidewalks around the Madison County Courthouse until 4 p.m.

Exhibits and activities for all ages will showcase everything from the center’s work with the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft — the most powerful rocket ever built and the vehicle that will take astronauts on deep-space missions to asteroids and Mars — to 3-D printing and other advanced technologies that are revolutionizing space exploration and discovery.

NASA Marshall is partnering with Downtown Huntsville, Inc., for the free event. Visitors will find demonstrations, displays and activities reflecting the work of Marshall and NASA grouped into three broad categories around the Square and adjacent areas:

— “Traveling To and Through Space” will feature an actual RS-25 rocket engine like those that will launch the Space Launch System; a display of a rocket propellant tank made of light-but-strong composite materials instead of much-heavier metals, that keeps gases so cold they become liquids; and the “Mighty Eagle” robotic prototype lander, which is testing technology to allow spacecraft to autonomously land and explore moons and other worlds; and much more.

— “Living and Working in Space” allows visitors a glimpse into the Marshall-developed Environmental Control and Life Support System that provides astronauts aboard the International Space Station with water and oxygen and controls their environment. Displays will explain the work of people at the Payload Operations and Integration Center at Marshall, who manage the increasing number of science activities aboard the space station. You’ll get the facts about the racks and sealed Microgravity Science Glovebox that allows station astronauts to safely handle materials for experiments. And you’ll learn about work to design Deep Space Habitats for long-term missions.

— “Understanding Our World and Beyond” will showcase Marshall’s role in the orbiting Chandra X-ray Observatory, the world’s most powerful X-ray telescope; the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, a robotic mission that set out to map the moon’s surface and, after a year of exploration, was extended with a unique set of science objectives; the ISERV Earth observation camera system aboard the space station; solar science experiments and many other programs. There will even be a “Sunspotter” special telescope for viewing the sun.

Throughout the day, Marshall researchers, scientists and other team members will present short talks about their work. Bands featuring Marshall Center musicians will perform; the Marshall Exchange shop will have science-related kids’ games for sale, as well as caps, T-shirts, tote bags, space shuttle mission coins and other NASA-logo merchandise; and visitors can have their pictures taken in a spacesuit. There will be many educational activities for children, including being tethered to a simulated spacecraft to learn how astronauts make repairs or launch satellites during spacewalks, and “Peeps in Space,” which uses marshmallow treats and a vacuum jar to show why astronauts need special spacesuits.

“Huntsville has been home to the Marshall Space Flight Center for more than 50 years,” said Marshall Center Director Patrick Scheuermann. “From America’s first satellite, to the moon landings, the shuttle program and the International Space Station, we’ve made history, together. NASA on the Square is a celebration of that history, and a great opportunity for your family to come and meet our family and see where we are going next.”

NASA partners, including ATK, Boeing, Jacobs and Teledyne Brown will also have exhibits on the Square. Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood is providing the stage and sound system. Aerojet Rocketdyne is sponsoring the musical entertainment. Other participants include the University of Alabama in Huntsville, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, U.S. Space & Rocket Center and the Huntsville-Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Questions about this event should be directed to Kimberly.D.Newton@nasa.gov.

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NASA GIRLS and NASA BOYS Mentoring Project

NASA is looking for the next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators. To jump-start the future of potential explorers, Women@NASA has created a mentoring project that offers a one-of-a-kind experience for middle school students. Participants will get to explore the possibilities of a career in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. 

The project will feature one-on-one mentoring from NASA employees. Participants will complete online lessons with their mentors while virtually connected through Skype or Google Chat. 

Applicants must be U.S. citizens in grades 5-8 or home-school equivalent. The mentoring project will take place over a five-week period during the summer. 

Applications are due June 22, 2014. 

For more information and to register online, visit http://women.nasa.gov/nasagirls/.

Questions about this opportunity should be directed to hq-women@nasa.gov.

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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.

June 23-27, 2014 — College Park, Maryland
New Faculty Workshop for Physics and Astronomy

August or September, 2014 — South Carolina
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 Education Webinar Series 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 to bring NASA into your classroom.

Robotics Part 1: Live Chat with Engineer Paulo Younse
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades 6-8
Event Date: June 24, 2014, at 4 p.m. EDT
Learn about this exciting three-part robotics series focusing on increasing your knowledge of robotics in the classroom.

Understand Our Sun Inside and Out
Audience: Pre-service Educators of Grades 8-12 and In-service Educators of Grades K-12
Event Date: June 24, 2014, at 7 p.m. EDT
Learn about the structure of the sun and chart sunspot activity.

Robotics Part 2: An Introduction
Audience: Pre-service Educators of Grades 6-8 and Informal Educators 
Event Date: June 25, 2014, at 3 p.m. EDT
In this hourlong webinar, explore what robots are, how they are part of our everyday lives and how they are used by NASA.

Robotics Part 3: Engineering Design — Classroom Application
Audience: Pre-service Home School Educators of Grades 6-8 and In-service Educators of Grades K-12
Event Date: June 26, 2014, at 2 p.m. EDT
In part three of the robotics series, participants will be introduced to activities that will discuss how engineers solve problems and be shown how to set up criteria and constraints in the classroom.

For more information about these webinars and to register online, visit https://paragon-tec.adobeconnect.com/admin/show-event-catalog.

Questions about this series of webinars should be directed to Phyllis Alford at palford@paragon-tec.com.

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NASA is seeking proposals from universities to advance the agency’s plans for exploration to deep space and Mars. The Early Stage Innovations NASA Research Announcement calls for innovative space technology proposals that could benefit the space program, other government agencies and the greater aerospace community.

Aligned with NASA’s Space Technology Roadmaps and priorities identified by the National Research Council, NASA selected topic areas that lend themselves to pioneering approaches where U.S. universities can help solve tough space technology challenges.

“The sparks to fuel the fire of innovation that will develop the new space technologies of tomorrow reside within American universities,” said Michael Gazarik, NASA’s associate administrator for the Space Technology Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in the District of Columbia. “These investments benefit government space technology development and our future missions, while also boosting economic growth and competitiveness.”

NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, or STMD, expects to make approximately 12 awards this fall, with total award amounts of up to $500,000. Research and development efforts will take place over two to three years.

Researchers will investigate transformative space technologies in areas such as advanced thermal protection materials modeling, computational materials, in situ use of asteroid materials, mobile robotic surface probe concepts for planetary exploration, kinetic penetrators for icy planetary moons and advanced technology habitat system designs for continued human exploration of space.

Only accredited U.S. universities may submit proposals under this solicitation. Notices of intent to submit proposals to the Early Stage Innovations Appendix of NASA’s Research Announcement, Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration and Infusion 2014 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2014), are due June 24, 2014. The deadline for submitting final proposals is July 21, 2014. To view the announcement and information for submitting proposals, visit http://go.nasa.gov/1mRS9y8.

NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate is innovating, developing, testing and flying hardware for use in NASA’s future missions. Over the next 18 months, the directorate will make significant new investments to address several high-priority challenges for achieving safe and affordable deep space exploration.

The current topic areas support four of eight key STMD technology thrust areas: advanced life support and resource use, Mars entry descent and landing systems, space robotic systems, and lightweight space structures. Additionally, the technology topics solicited support the effort to send humans to Mars as well as outer planetary investment priorities.

For more information about NASA’s investments in space technology, visit http://www.nasa.gov/spacetech.

Questions about this announcement should be directed to David Steitz at david.steitz@nasa.gov.

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Free Lecture — From Air and Space to the Railroad and Beyond: An Evening With Brig. Gen. James A. McDivitt

On June 26, 2014, former astronaut James A. McDivitt takes the podium to reflect on the various stages of his careers from the 1950s to the present. McDivitt was a pilot in the U.S. Air Force and logged over 5,000 flight hours before being selected as an astronaut in 1962. He flew a Gemini mission and commanded Apollo 9. Upon leaving NASA in 1972, McDivitt began another career in the energy, railroad and aerospace industries.

The lecture begins at 8 p.m. EDT at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, District of Columbia. The lecture will be webcast live.

For more information, visit http://airandspace.si.edu/events/detail.cfm?id=9696.

Questions about this lecture should be directed to nasmpubliclectures@si.edu.

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Call for Abstracts: 30th American Society for Gravitational and Space Research Conference

A call for abstracts has been released for the 30th annual American Society for Gravitational and Space Research, or ASGSR, conference and the 28th Symposium on Gravity-Related Phenomena in Space Exploration. The meeting will take place Oct. 23-26, 2014, at The Westin Pasadena in California.

Abstracts must be submitted electronically no later than June 27, 2014, using the abstract submittal form and instructions posted on the ASGSR website. All submitted abstracts will be peer reviewed by the conference organizing committee.

All accepted abstracts from students will be presented as posters or orally in competitions. The student poster competition will be judged by society members, and monetary awards will be given during the banquet scheduled for Oct. 25, 2014. Student competition winners will be encouraged to submit an extended abstract or a communication article to the ASGSR journal “Gravitational and Space Research.” All students are expected to coordinate with their advisors when submitting an abstract for the conference.

Student travel assistance of up to $500 is available on a limited basis. Students requesting consideration for travel assistance should check the box on the abstract submittal form.

For more information, visit https://www.asgsr.org/index.php/news/asews-a-announcements/1814-2014-call-for-abstracts-announcement. Questions about this opportunity should be directed to Ms. Jobi Cook at admin@asgsr.org.

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NASA Exploration Design Challenge

Time is running out to have your students’ names flown aboard Orion during its first flight! NASA’s Exploration Design Challenge, or EDC, invites students around the world to think and act like scientists to overcome one of the major hurdles of deep space long-duration exploration — the dangers associated with space radiation. Students taking part in the challenge will discover how to plan and design improved radiation shielding aboard the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, currently being developed by NASA, Lockheed Martin and other partners to carry astronauts to space, venturing farther than humans have ever gone. Through a series of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, engagement activities, students in grades K-12 will analyze different materials that simulate space radiation shielding and recommend materials that best block radiation and protect astronauts.

The names of all students participating in the NASA EDC will fly aboard the spacecraft as honorary virtual crew members for Orion’s first flight. The deadline to register students for the virtual crew is June 30, 2014.

For more information and to register online, visit http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/spacelife/explorationdesign/overview/index.html.

For more information about Orion, visit http://www.nasa.gov/orion.

Email any questions about this opportunity to nasaedc@nianet.org.

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U.S. Department of Education ‘First in the World’ Grant Competition

To spur innovation in higher education aimed at helping more students access and complete a college degree or credential, the U.S. Department of Education recently announced the availability of $75 million in the ‘First in the World,’ or FITW, program. Grants from the program will fund the development and testing of innovative approaches and strategies at colleges and universities that improve college attainment and make higher education more affordable for students and families.

The FITW competition aims to increase postsecondary access, affordability and completion for underrepresented, underprepared or low-income students at institutions across the country. Colleges and universities are invited to submit proposals addressing key priorities around boosting enrollment and attainment for those students, or minimizing gaps between these students and their peers; improving transfer rates between community college and four-year institutions; increasing enrollment and completion rates among underrepresented, underprepared or low-income students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs; reducing time to completion; and increasing college affordability.

Applications are due June 30, 2014.

For more information about this competition, visit http://www2.ed.gov/programs/fitw/index.html. 

If you have questions about the opportunity, please email your inquiries to OPEFirstintheWorld@ed.gov.

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Concept Paper Solicitation: ISS Post-Grad Innovation Awards in Space Life and Physical Science Research

NASA’s Space Life and Physical Sciences Office and the International Space Station Program Office are seeking hypothesis-driven research concept papers that use the International Space Station as a microgravity platform in the space life and physical sciences disciplines. 

Concept papers should describe ground-based research that can be enhanced by flying in a microgravity environment on the space station. Concept papers selected will have the opportunity to submit a full flight proposal based on the merit of the research presented. NASA anticipates selecting 10 submissions to receive monetary awards. Selected awardees will be invited to submit full proposals on their research, which may result in one flight opportunity for student researchers.

Graduate students and post-doctoral fellows from all categories of U.S. institutions who have never conducted or been involved in space research are eligible to submit papers. Student research and scientists from EPSCoR (Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) jurisdiction institutions are specifically encouraged to participate.

Concept papers must be submitted by July 10, 2014.

For more information, visit https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?method=init&solId={3C132DBD-9B4F-C54F-8C0C-2D63E4693E43}&path=open. 

Questions about this opportunity should be directed to Dr. Camille Alleyne at camille.alleyne@nasa.gov.

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2014 Lunar Workshop for Educators

NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, or LRO, mission is sponsoring a workshop for educators of students in grades 6-9. This 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, reinforce their understanding of lunar science concepts, gain tools to help address common student misconceptions about the moon, interact with lunar scientists and engineers, work with LRO data and learn how to bring these data and information to their students using hands-on activities aligned with grades 6-9 National Science Education Standards and Benchmarks.

The workshop will take place July 14-18, 2014, 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.

Participants will receive a $200 stipend to help offset travel expenses.

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

Questions about this workshop should be directed to Brooke Hsu at Brooke.C.Hsu@nasa.gov.

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Free Lecture — Exploring Pluto and Its Satellites at the Solar System’s Frontier

NASA’s New Horizons mission launched in 2006 and is approaching the Pluto system. It is the first mission to an outer planet since Voyager in 1989. On July 16, 2014, New Horizons team leader Alan Stern, Pluto scientist William McKinnon and science writer Dava Sobel will discuss the program’s goals for exploring the Pluto system next year and its place in the history of exploration.

The lecture begins at 8 p.m. EDT at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, District of Columbia. 

For more information, visit http://airandspace.si.edu/events/detail.cfm?id=9928.

Questions about this lecture should be directed to nasmpubliclectures@si.edu.

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U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Postsecondary Sustainability Awards

U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) has introduced a new Postsecondary Sustainability Award for the 2014-2015 cycle. In addition to a total of five school and district nominees, each state may nominate one postsecondary institution for exemplary achievement in all three of the program’s Pillars: Reduced Environmental Impact and Costs, Improved Health and Wellness, and Effective Environmental and Sustainability Education. For this award, state selection committees are particularly encouraged to document how the nominees’ sustainability work has reduced college costs, increased completion rates, led to employment, and ensured robust civic skills among graduates; and to make an effort to consider diverse types of institutions. Interested colleges and universities should contact their state higher education authorities for information on how to apply in their states.

Like the PK-12 awards, this category is entirely voluntary. Hearing from interested colleges and universities may be helpful to state authorities considering 2014 – 2015 participation. State higher education authorities should contact U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools for more information. They can find updated criteria and other state implementation guidance on our website. All state authorities are encouraged to indicate their intent to nominate in 2015 by Aug. 1, 2014.

Competitions vary by state, but most states will be posting their applications in the fall with deadlines to submit to them in the winter. State authorities’ school, district and postsecondary nominations are due to the Department of Education by Feb. 1, 2015. Interested PK-12 schools and districts should continue to contact their state education agencies about the school and district award applications. Do you have doubts about ED-GRS? Some Frequently Asked Questions on all three award categories are available here.

For more information, visit http://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/eligibility.html. 

Questions about this opportunity should be directed to green.ribbon.schools@ed.gov.

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Send Your Name to the Asteroid Bennu!

NASA is inviting people around the world to submit their names to be etched on a microchip aboard a spacecraft headed to the asteroid Bennu in 2016.

The “Messages to Bennu!” microchip will travel to the asteroid aboard the Origins Spectral Interpretation Resource Identification Security Regolith Explorer, or OSIRIS-REx, spacecraft. The robotic mission will spend more than two years at the asteroid, which has a width of approximately 1,760 feet (500 meters). The spacecraft will collect a sample of Bennu’s surface and return it to Earth in a sample return capsule.

The deadline to submit names online is Sept. 30, 2014. Participants who submit their names to the “Messages to Bennu!” campaign will be able to print a certificate of appreciation to document their involvement.

For more information and to submit your name, visit http://planetary.org/bennu.

Participants who “follow” or “like” the mission on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/OSIRISREx) will receive updates on the location of their names in space from launch time until the asteroid samples return to Earth in 2023. Facebook fans also will receive mission progress and late-breaking news through regular status updates.

For more information about the OSIRIS-REx mission, visit http://www.nasa.gov/osiris-rex and http://osiris-rex.lpl.arizona.edu.

Questions about this opportunity should be directed to tps@planetary.org.