NASA Education Express Message — March 26, 2015

Dawn Mission’s ‘Imagine Ceres’ Project

Share in the anticipation and excitement of NASA’s Dawn spacecraft’s arrival at Ceres in March 2015! 

Can you imagine what the Dawn mission might discover at Ceres in the next few weeks and months? What does this vast world hold for explorers and scientists today? What do you imagine the surface of Ceres will look like? How do you imagine that Ceres formed? When do you imagine Ceres came into being? Over what time frame? 

NASA’s Dawn mission wants you to share your ideas! Send in your creations in the form of art, music, poetry or video. Selected submissions will be featured in the Imagine Ceres gallery.

To learn more about the “Imagine Ceres” project, including how to submit your ideas, visit http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov/dawncommunity/imagine_ceres_about.asp. 

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

Please email any questions about this opportunity to Joe Wise at jwise1972@gmail.com.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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 described below:

Change Over Time: Investigate Climate Change Impacts in the Great Plains — March 26, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. EDT
The National Climate Assessment, released in May 2014, summarizes the impact of climate change on the United States. The assessment touches 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 Kristen Poppleton from the Will Steger Foundation. 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 Great Plains 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://esteem.larc.nasa.gov/ask-us/. Questions about this series should be sent to Bonnie Murray at bonnie.murray@nasa.gov.

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.

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.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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. Registration is required to participate. Simply click on the provided link to register.

NASA’s BEST Students: Next Generation
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades 5-8
Event Date: March 30, 2015, at 6 p.m. EDT
Participants will get an overview of the resources in the “NASA’s Beginning Engineering, Science and Technology, or BEST, Students: Next Generation Educator Guide.” This guide contains nine activities simulating NASA technology demonstration missions. Discussion will include classroom modifications.
https://www.etouches.com/121984

Physics Resources for Elementary Grades
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades K-6
Event Date: March 31, 2015, at 5:30 p.m. EDT
Participants will be introduced to activities for teaching Newton’s Laws of Motion, energy, light and gravity. Upon completion, attendees will have a set of physics activities and a plan for incorporating them into classes.
https://www.etouches.com/121987

Dawn at Ceres: Exploring Dwarf Planets in Your Classroom
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades 5-8
Event Date: April 2, 2015, at 5 p.m. EDT
On March 6, 2015, NASA’s Dawn spacecraft became the first to orbit a dwarf planet. Dawn is currently orbiting and studying Ceres. This webinar will explore the Dawn mission, what has been learned so far and NASA education resources that can be integrated into your curriculum.
https://www.etouches.com/121989

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

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pre-Proposal Teleconference: 2014 NASA EONS Solicitation — New MUREP ASTAR Fellowship Appendix

NASA’s Office of Education is accepting new proposals under the Education Opportunities in NASA STEM, or EONS, 2014 NASA Research Announcement for the MUREP Advanced STEM Training and Research, or ASTAR, Fellowships appendix. 

NASA Office of Education Fellowships support independently conceived or designed research or senior design projects for graduate students in disciplines needed to help advance NASA’s missions. ASTAR fellowships provide awards for individuals in the early stage of their graduate studies. They must be pursuing or planning to pursue graduate work leading to master’s and doctoral degrees in relevant NASA-related disciplines at accredited U.S. universities. 

The fellowship award includes tuition offset, student stipend, and funding for an annual Center Based Research Experience. The result is an annual award of up to $50,000 for a student pursuing a master’s degree or $55,000 for a student pursuing a doctoral degree. Fellowship awards are made in the form of training grants to academic institutions and are for a duration of no more than three academic years. 

A pre-proposal teleconference will be held on Thursday, March 31, 2015, at 4 p.m. EDT. The link for the session is https://ac.arc.nasa.gov/nifs/. The teleconference technology is Adobe Connect. Please check the technology Adobe Connect Technical Specs before the teleconference athttps://helpx.adobe.com/adobe-connect/tech-specs.html.

Prospective students may ask questions about the opportunity by typing them in to the chat room or verbally via computer microphone. Students may also receive technical assistance from project staff at this time, which may include tips and guidance for applying.

Proposals are due May 4, 2015.

For more information, visit http://go.nasa.gov/199fbjb.

Questions about this solicitation may be directed to nspires-help@nasaprs.com.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2015 NASA Scholarship — Minority University Research Education Project

NASA’s Office of Education is accepting applications for the Minority University Research and Education Project, or MUREP, Scholarship program. The MUREP Scholarship is for individuals pursuing or planning to pursue undergraduate studies leading to an Associate’s or a Bachelor’s degree in relevant NASA related disciplines at an accredited United States minority serving institution. This opportunity is open to students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, specifically in areas of projected deficiencies in the NASA STEM workforce.

Eligible students include freshmen, sophomores and juniors at the undergraduate level. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals. The scholarship includes 75% of tuition up to $9,000 academic scholarship, based on tuition amount, and $6,000 for a summer internship. 

Applications are due March 31, 2015.

Applications should be submitted through the NASA One Stop Shopping Initiative at http://intern.nasa.gov. Applicants should be sure to select “scholarship” for the type of application.

Questions about the 2015 MUREP Scholarship opportunity should be emailed to NASA.MUREP2015@nasaprs.com.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2015 NASA Office of Education — Aeronautics Undergraduate Scholarship

NASA’s Office of Education is accepting applications for the for the Aeronautics Undergraduate Scholarship, or AUS, program. The Aeronautics Undergraduate Scholarship is for individuals pursuing or planning to pursue undergraduate studies leading to an Associate’s or a Bachelor’s degree in areas related to aeronautics. These scholarships are directed toward enhancing the state of aeronautics for the nation, transforming the nation’s air transportation system, and developing the knowledge, tools, and technologies to support future air and space vehicles. 

Eligible students include freshmen, sophomores and juniors at the undergraduate level. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals. The scholarship includes 75% of tuition up to $9,000 academic scholarship, based on tuition amount, and $6,000 for a summer internship. 

Applications are due March 31, 2015.

Applications should be submitted through the NASA One Stop Shopping Initiative at http://intern.nasa.gov. Applicants should be sure to select “scholarship” for the type of application.

Questions about the 2015 Aeronautics Undergraduate Scholarship opportunity should be emailed to NASA.ASP2015@nasaprs.com.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Free “Hubble Space Telescope 25th Celebration” Education Webinar Series From NASA Educator Professional Development

NASA Educator Professional Development is celebrating 25 years of the Hubble Space Telescope with a series of free webinars open to all educators. Join NASA education specialists to learn about the Hubble Space Telescope mission, and discover activities, lesson plans, educator guides and resources that bring the Hubble Space Telescope and science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, into your classroom. 

Registration is required for these webinars. Simply go to https://www.etouches.com/121324 and register.

A Look Back in Time
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades K-8
Event Date: April 1, 2015, at 4 and 7 p.m. EDT
How did it all start? Who is Edwin Hubble? Why do we need a space telescope? Relive the realization of a dream as the Hubble Space Telescope was launched aboard Space Shuttle Discovery. Learn how fuzzy photos required a spectacular repair mission. See examples from deep space such as stars, planets, galaxies and beyond. Make real-world connections with everyday technologies using NASA STEM resources about using the engineering design process to build and launch satellites. 

Through the Eyes of the Hubble Space Telescope
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades 6-8
Event Date: April 8, 2015, at 4 and 7 p.m. EDT
What’s the view like from the “eyes” of the Hubble Space Telescope? Become an astronomer by analyzing images captured by Hubble. Explore the different types of telescopes and how they observe our universe. Also, in this interactive webinar, discover NASA STEM resources and learn how to build a make-and-take telescope with your students.

Hubble Math
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades 5-12
Event Date: April 13, 2015, at 6 p.m. EDT
Participants will get an overview of resources for teaching mathematics using the Hubble Space Telescope. Discussion will include classroom modifications.

Hubble Deep Field
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades 5-8
Event Date: April 20, 2015, at 4 and 7 p.m. EDT
The Hubble Deep Field represents a narrow view of the universe, covering a speck of sky. Essentially a narrow, deep “core sample” of sky, the field is similar to a geologic core sample of the Earth’s crust. Just as a core sample represents a history of the evolution of the Earth’s surface, the Hubble Deep Field image contains information about the universe at different stages in time. Discover what the images from Hubble are telling us about the universe. Also in this interactive webinar, discover NASA STEM resources to understand the vast size of our universe. 

Hubble, Sofia and Your Cosmic Connection to the Universe
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades 9-12
Event Date: April 21, 2015, at 4 and 7 p.m. EDT
In celebration of its 25th anniversary, Hubble has revisited the famous Pillars of Creation, providing astronomers images in near-infrared light. NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, is the world’s largest airborne astronomical observatory and features a far-infrared telescope. Together, these observatories help us learn more about the structure and formation of our universe. Come experience a “Universe Trail Mix” activity that demonstrates the role of the Big Bang Theory, fusion in stars and supernovae creating all of the elements on the periodic table.

NASA Space Telescopes — Past, Present and Future of STEM Exploration
Audience: Pre-service, In-service, Home School and Informal Educators of Grades 5-8
Event Date: April 23, 2015, at 6 p.m. EDT
Explore the history of NASA space telescopes that expand our understanding of the solar system and the universe beyond. The Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope will be the focus. NASA STEM curriculum, online resources, careers and the Next Generation Science Standards will be integrated in the “out of this world” webinar.

Questions about this series of webinars should be directed to Brandon Hargis. brandon.m.hargis@nasa.gov.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2015 LiftOff Summer Institute

Registration is now open for the 2015 LiftOff Summer Institute, sponsored by NASA’s Texas Space Grant Consortium. This weeklong professional development training for teachers will be held June 28-July 3, 2015, at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. This competitive aerospace workshop emphasizes science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, learning experiences through speakers, hands-on activities and field investigations.

The theme for this year’s institute is “Living in Freefall.” The event will feature the International Space Station, a laboratory, observatory and factory in space. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live and work in space? What are the biological factors, psychological trials and physical challenges? 

Attendees must be U.S. citizens currently employed as classroom teachers of grades 4-12 with at least one year teaching experience prior to the institute. Texas Space Grant pays all expenses for any Texas teacher selected. Other Space Grant Consortia fund teachers from their states.

Applications are due April 1, 2015.

For more information and to access the online application, visit http://www.tsgc.utexas.edu/liftoff/.

If you have questions about the 2015 LiftOff Summer Institute, please email your inquiries to Margaret Baguio at baguio@tsgc.utexas.edu.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

International Space Station Research Design Challenge: Capillary Effects on Liquids Exploratory Research Experiments

NASA and Portland State University are seeking participants for the International Space Station Research Design Challenge: Capillary Effects on Liquids Exploratory Research Experiments, or CELERE. This design challenge enables students to participate in microgravity research on capillary action, similar to that conducted on the space station. 

Teams or individuals create their own experiment using computer-aided design, or CAD, with a provided template. Short experiment proposals are submitted, and test cells are manufactured by Portland State University using the CAD drawings and a computer-controlled laser cutter. Each experiment is conducted in a drop tower. Video of the drop is provided for student analysis and reporting of results.

CELERE is open to individuals and teams in grades 8-12 Teams may include younger students as long as there is at least one team member in grades 8-12 to facilitate the participation of informal science clubs, Scouts, etc. Teams may be of any size and may include an entire class or science club. The program is limited to students from the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Design proposals are now being accepted. The final deadline for submissions is April 1, 2015.

For more information about this opportunity, visit http://spaceflightsystems.grc.nasa.gov/CELERE/. 

If you have questions about this opportunity, please email your inquiries to the CELERE team at celere@lists.nasa.gov.

Applications are currently accepted for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory 2015 Faculty Research Program. This program provides opportunities for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, faculty to engage in research of mutual interest to the faculty member and a JPL researcher. Non-STEM faculty will be considered based on available opportunities.

To be eligible to participate in the program, applicants must hold a full-time appointment at an accredited university or college in the United States. Special requirements for foreign national faculty members apply. Fellows are required to submit research reports and present their work at the end of the session.

The program awards $15,500 fellowships for 10-week sessions. 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 JPL faculty research appointment.

The deadline for applications is April 1, 2015. For more information about this opportunity, visit http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/intern/apply/jpl-summer-faculty-research-program/.

Inquiries about NASA’s JPL Faculty Research Program should be directed to the Petra Kneissl-Milanian at Petra.A.Kneissl-Milanian@jpl.nasa.gov.

The National Science Foundation is currently accepting nominations and applications for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, or PAEMST, program. PAEMST is the highest recognition that a K-12 mathematics or science (including computer science) teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. Since 1983, more than 4,300 teachers have been recognized for their contributions to mathematics and science education. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education. Up to 108 awardees may be recognized each year. 

Presidential awardees receive a certificate signed by the president of the United States, a trip for two to Washington, D.C., to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities, and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation. The National Science Foundation administers PAEMST on the behalf of The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. 

The PAEMST program is open to outstanding mathematics and science teachers in the 50 states and the four U.S. jurisdictions (Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Department of Defense education activity schools and the U.S. territories as a group). Anyone — principals, teachers, parents, students or members of the public — may nominate a teacher by completing the nomination form available on the PAEMST website. Teachers may also apply directly.

Nominations for secondary school teachers (grades 7-12) are due April 1, 2015. Elementary school teachers (grades K-6) are eligible to apply in 2016.

For more information, visit http://www.paemst.org/. 

Please email any questions about this opportunity to info@paemst.org.

NASA’s Mars Education Program at Arizona State University has a new exciting free online training opportunity for educators. Help your students learn about science by being the scientists and conducting authentic research on another planet — Mars! The Mars Student Imaging Project, or MSIP, is completely designed for the Next Generation Science Standards and embeds 21^st Century Skills. 

Learn how you can facilitate this project in your classroom. You don’t need any background in planets or geology to participate. This is project-based learning, and your students will learn how science really works by formulating research questions, collecting and analyzing data and reporting their findings driven by their own interests about Mars! 

The Mars Student Imaging Project is appropriate for grades 5-12. The workshop will take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. EDT on three consecutive Thursdays — April 2, 9 and 16, 2015. Participants in this training will earn eight hours of professional development credit and must attend all three sessions. 

For more information and to register to attend, visit http://marsed.asu.edu/msip/train4mars_april2015.

To learn more about upcoming opportunities from the Mars Education Program at Arizona State University, visit http://marsed.asu.edu.

Questions about the workshop should be directed to mars@asu.edu.

Earth Observatory’s Tournament Earth 2015

Thirty-two of the best Earth Observatory images will compete in Tournament Earth 3.0, but only one can be the winner! From March 2 through April 3, 2015, visitors to NASA’s Earth Observatory website can vote for their favorite images from 2014, whittling them down each week in a tournament of remote-sensing science. The competition is divided into four categories: data, art, event and photograph. 

Voting takes place online, and a printable bracket is available to let you pick your favorites and track your selections as the competition progresses.

To get started, visit http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/TournamentEarth/.

Questions about this opportunity should be directed to Kevin Ward at kevin.a.ward@nasa.gov.

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 April 3, 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’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.

April 10, 2015 — Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan
CAE Great Lakes Regional Teaching Exchange

May 2, 2015 — MiraCosta College in Oceanside, California
CAE Southwest Regional Teaching Exchange

June 13-14, 2015 — South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina
CAE Tier I Teaching Excellence Workshop for Current and Future Astronomy and Space Science Instructors

June 22-25, 2015 — American Center for Physics in College Park, Maryland
New Faculty Workshop for Physics and Astronomy

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

August 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.

2015 International Space Apps Challenge

NASA and space agencies around the world are preparing for the fourth annual International Space Apps Challenge, which will be held April 10-12, 2015. Participants will develop mobile applications, software, hardware, data visualization and platform solutions that could contribute to space exploration missions and help improve life on Earth.

This year’s challenge kicks off with a boot camp event on April 10 that will be live-streamed globally. The two-day codeathon event will follow on April 11-12, and will be hosted locally at over 135 locations spanning six continents. More than 200 data sources, including data sets, data services and tools will be available. This event will bring tech-savvy citizens, scientists, entrepreneurs, educators and students together to help solve challenges relevant to both space exploration and social needs. This year’s challenges will be clustered around four themes: Earth, Outer Space, Humans and Robotics. 

Registration for citizen participation is now open.

To learn more about the International Space Apps Challenge, get the latest updates and register to attend an event, visit https://2015.spaceappschallenge.org/.

If you have questions about the challenge, please visit https://2015.spaceappschallenge.org/about/contact/.

2014 NASA EONS Solicitation — New MUREP Aerospace Academy Appendix

NASA’s Office of Education is accepting new proposals under the Education Opportunities in NASA STEM, or EONS, 2014 NASA Research Announcement. Proposals are being solicited from Minority Serving Institutions, or MSIs, to create and implement a NASA MUREP Aerospace Academy to increase participation and retention of historically underserved and underrepresented K-12 youth in the areas of STEM. 

Notices of intent are requested by April 14, 2015. Proposals are due June 11, 2015. 

For more information, visit http://go.nasa.gov/1AdfCjo.

Questions about this solicitation may be directed to NASAMAA@nasaprs.com.

2014 NASA EONS Solicitation — New MUREP Community College Curriculum Improvement Appendix

NASA’s Office of Education Minority University Research and Education Project, or MUREP, is seeking proposals from Minority Serving Community Colleges to strengthen curriculum and curricular pathways in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, and attract, retain and support the success of underrepresented students in STEM degree programs.

Proposals for the NASA MUREP Community College Curriculum Improvement, or MC3I, solicitation must contain plans for and be guided by curricula improvements, and address one of the following as a primary focus: (1) improving curriculum in STEM vocational certificate programs, associate of arts/science degree programs, and/or transfer programs; (2) strengthening and diversifying the STEM pipeline through high school partnerships; or (3) expanding opportunities in engineering. Proposers are required to partner with a NASA center or facility, and are highly encouraged to partner with other institutions, such as K-12 school districts and four-year colleges/universities. Successful proposals will be funded as multiyear cooperative agreements.

Institutions planning to prepare a proposal package for NASA MC3I are required to submit a Notice of Intent, or NOIs, to propose. NOIs assist NASA in assessing the response to this cooperative agreement notice and to determine the expertise required for the proposal review panel. NOIs should be submitted by the authorized organization representative in the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System, or NSPIRES, by April 14, 2015, at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Interested proposers must register with NSPIRES before it can be accessed for use.

Since NOIs submitted after the deadline may still be useful to NASA, late NOIs may be submitted and will be accepted.

Proposals are due on June 11, 2015 by 11:59 p.m. in NSPIRES. 

For more information, visit http://go.nasa.gov/1AP8WqY. 

Questions about this solicitation may be directed to Roslyn Soto at roslyn.soto@jpl.nasa.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.

Host a Real-Time Conversation With Crew Members Aboard the International Space Station

ARISS-US is now accepting proposals from U.S. schools, museums, science centers and community youth organizations to host an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, or ARISS, contact between Jan. 1-June 30, 2016. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS-US is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan. Proposals are due April 15, 2015.

Using amateur radio, students from selected institutions will have the opportunity to ask questions directly to astronauts about life in space and other space-related topics during a 10-minute pass of the International Space Station. Students will gain an understanding of amateur radio and wireless communications and other STEM topics through an education plan executed by the hosting organization.

ARISS provides experienced mentors and relies on local amateur radio volunteers to help organizations obtain the technology required to host this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students.

Interested parties should visit http://www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact to obtain complete information including how the technology works, what is expected of the host organization and how to submit the proposal form.

Questions about this opportunity should be emailed to ariss@arrl.org.

NASA Space Technology Grants for Early Career University Faculty

NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate is seeking proposals from accredited U.S. universities on behalf of outstanding early career faculty members who are beginning their independent careers. The grants will sponsor research in specific, high-priority areas of interest to the U.S. space program.

NASA expects to award approximately six to eight grants this fall, funded up to $200,000 each per year for as many as three years, based on the merit of proposals and availability of funds. Funded research will investigate unique, disruptive or transformational space technologies in areas such as dynamic tensegrity technologies for space science and exploration, high-temperature solar cells, fundamental aero-thermodynamic model development, and synthetic biology technologies for space exploration.

The deadline to submit proposals to the Early Career Faculty Appendix of NASA’s Research Announcement “Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration and Infusion 2015 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2015)” is April 17, 2015.

For information on the solicitation, including specific technology areas of interest and how to submit notices of intent and proposals, visit http://go.nasa.gov/1vwtqZz.

This solicitation is part of NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, which is responsible for innovating, developing, testing and flying hardware for use in future missions. For more information about the directorate and Space Technology Research Grants Program, visithttp://www.nasa.gov/spacetech.

Please email any questions about this opportunity to Bonnie F. James at HQ-STMD-SpaceTech-REDDI@nasa.gov.

21st Century Teacher Academy

The 21st Century Teacher Academy is a unique professional development opportunity for K-12 educators. The academy is designed to immerse teachers in the best practices and methodologies on how to create and implement real-world, project based learning, or PBL, curriculum using NASA’s missions. This program is sponsored by the Office of Education and Public Outreach at NASA’s Ames Research Center, and funded by NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate. The workshop will take place at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California.

During the two-week workshop, attendees will create a full PBL module to implement in the classroom, share developed PBL modules within their cohort and have access to a suite of NASA education tools and resources. Participants will also be exposed to unique NASA facilities, missions and subject matter experts while increasing their familiarity with NASA’s research and efforts involving aeronautics. Attendees will also receive a $4,500 stipend. 

Applications are due April 30, 2015. Interested K-12 educators should apply through NASA’s One-Stop Shopping Initiative website at http://go.nasa.gov/1ECJ0kz.

If you have questions about the 21st Century Teacher Academy, please email ARC-TeacherAcademy@mail.nasa.gov.

2020 Electric General Aviation NASA Aeronautics Design Challenge

Electric-powered aircraft have the potential to revolutionize the way we travel. NASA invites college teams to take part in the 2015 NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate’s 2020 Electric General Aviation Design Challenge. Student teams are invited to design an electric (i.e., no combustion) general aviation aircraft that meets performance requirements and is operational by 2020.

The contest is open to teams of full-time students enrolled in higher education institutions of the United States or its territories. This category includes universities, colleges, trade schools, community colleges, professional schools, etc. Multidisciplinary teams are encouraged.

Letters of intent will be accepted through Jan. 16, 2015. Final entries are due May 8, 2015.

For more information and a complete list of rules, visit http://aero.larc.nasa.gov/university-contest/. 

Questions about the challenge should be directed to Elizabeth Ward at Elizabeth.B.Ward@nasa.gov.

NASA Robotic Mining Competition 2015

The Sixth Annual NASA Robotic Mining Competition will be held at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center May 18-22, 2015. NASA’s Robotic Mining Competition is for university-level students, enrolled in a U.S. college or university. Teams are challenged to design and build a mining robot that can traverse the simulated Martian chaotic terrain, excavate Martian regolith and deposit the regolith into a collector bin within 10 minutes. There is particular relevance to NASA’s recently announced mission to find an asteroid by 2016 and then bring it to cislunar space. NASA will directly benefit from the competition by encouraging the development of innovative excavation concepts from universities, which may result in ideas and solutions that could be applied to an actual excavation device or payload.

The winning team will receive the Joe Kosmo Award for Excellence trophy, KSC launch invitations, team certificates for each member and a monetary team scholarship. Awards for other categories include monetary team scholarships, a school trophy or plaque, team and individual certificates, and KSC launch invitations.

Design teams must include at least one college or university faculty member and at least two undergraduate or graduate students. NASA has not set an upper limit on team members. A team should have a sufficient number of members to successfully operate their mining robot. Teams will compete in up to five major competition categories, including onsite mining, systems engineering paper, outreach project, slide presentation and demonstration (optional) and team spirit (optional).

Registration opened on Sept. 3, 2014, and is limited to 50 teams.

For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/centers/kennedy/technology/nasarmc.html.

Follow the NASA Robotic Mining Competition on Twitter at https://twitter.com/NASARMC.

Questions about this opportunity should be directed to Bethanné Hull at Bethanne.Hull@nasa.gov.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2015 NSBRI First Award Fellowship Program

The National Space Biomedical Research Institute, or NSBRI, is accepting fellowship applications for the First Award Fellowship Program. The one-year fellowships are available in any U.S. laboratory carrying out space-related biomedical or biotechnological research.

Applicants are required to submit proposals with the support of a mentor and an institution, and all proposals will be evaluated by a peer-review committee. Selected applicants receive a stipend, allowance for health insurance and travel funds for related scientific meetings.

This year’s applicants also can request to be considered to spend part of the fellowship in Russia, via a program involving NSBRI and the Institute of Biomedical Problems in Moscow.

Detailed program and application submission information is available at http://www.nsbri.org/firstaward/.

The application deadline is June 5, 2015. 

Questions may be directed to Dr. Amanda Smith Hackler at hackler@bcm.edu.

NSBRI, funded by NASA, is a consortia of institutions studying the health risks related to long-duration spaceflight and developing the medical technologies needed for long missions. The institute’s science, technology and education projects take place at more than 60 institutions across the United States.

For more information about NSBRI’s First Award Program, please visit http://www.nsbri.org/firstaward/.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.