January 2008 Education Update
NASA Earth and Space Science Education E-News
January 2008
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(1) American Astronomical Society (AAS) Winter Meeting (Jan. 7-11)
(2) Arctic and Antarctic Living
Systems: Web Seminars for
Educators Grades 5-8 (Jan. 17 & 24)
(3) Center for Astronomy Education Workshops
(4) GLOBE at Night Campaign (Feb. 25-March 8)
(5) MY NASA DATA Summer Workshop (Applications Postmarked April 9)
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(6) Space Update 2008 Version Released
(7) Space Math Problems of the Week
(8) Extra-Credit Problems in Space Science (Grades 7-9)
(9) ESSEA: Teaching Teachers Who Teach Earth Science
(10) Earth Observatory Feature Articles
-Coal Controversy in Appalachia
-Observing Volcanoes, Satellite Thinks for Itself
(11) New Video Learning Clips on NASA’s Educational Materials Site
(12) Designing a Mission to Live and Work on the Moon Educator Guide (Grades 6-8)
(13) NASA Quest: Moon Math! (Grades 6-9)
(14) Travel Virtually to Antarctica through LIMA
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FELLOWSHIPS/INTERNSHIPS/SCHOLARSHIPS
(15) NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship Program (Proposals Due Feb. 1)
(16) Undergraduate Research Internship Opportunity (Deadline: Jan. 31)
(17) Undergraduate Scholarships and Internships in STEM Fields (Deadline: Feb. 1)
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(18) Asteroid Threatens to Hit Mars
(19) Suzaku Explains Cosmic Powerhouses
(20) Lunar Safety Zones
(21) NASA Climate Change Scientists Share Nobel Peace Prize
(22) ‘Death Star’ Galaxy Black Hole Fires at Neighboring Galaxy
(23) Is a New Solar Cycle Beginning?
(24) Saharan Dust Has Chilling Effect on North Atlantic
(25) Air Quality Forecasts See Future in Space
(26) Saturn’s Rings May be Old Timers
(27) In Search for Water on Mars, Clues from Antarctica
(28) NASA Hurricane Animation Improves Storm Damage Prediction
(29) Spacecraft Reveals New Insights About the Origin of Solar Wind
(30) Saturn’s Small Moons Tell Story of Origins
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UPCOMING PROGRAMS/EVENTS [Top]
(1) AMERICAN ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (AAS) WINTER MEETING
The 2008 AAS Winter meeting will be held in Austin, Texas, Jan. 7-11. In addition to numerous presentations throughout the week on NASA space science and education topics, the following sessions are also planned:
Jan 6-7 - NASA Center for Astronomy Education Workshop
Jan 7, 1:00-6:00 pm - NASA's Student Collaboration Workshop
Jan 7, 1:00-5:00 pm - NASA Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) Community Task Force Workshop
Jan. 8, 12:45-1:45 pm - NASA Town Hall Meeting
For more information, including the full schedule of sessions and presentations, go to: http://www.aas.org/meetings/aas211/.
(2) ARCTIC AND ANTARCTIC LIVING SYSTEMS: WEB SEMINARS FOR EDUCATORS GRADES 5-8 – JAN. 17 & 24
The National Science Teachers Association is producing free Web Seminars featuring scientists and education specialists from NASA, the National Science Foundation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The seminars will focus on the International Polar Year (IPY) topics including: land and marine adaptations to extreme conditions, species migration and the role of humans in polar ecosystems. Presenters share their science expertise, answer participants’ questions and provide information regarding web sites that students can use in the classroom.
Each Web seminar is a unique, stand-alone program and designed for educators of grades 5–8. For more information, go to: http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall07/IPY_Birmingham/webseminar.aspx.
The first in this series was held on Dec. 20 and is available on the Web page above. The next events will be held on Jan. 17 and Jan. 24, 2008, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. EDT.
(3) CENTER FOR ASTRONOMY EDUCATION WORKSHOPS
The Teaching Excellence Workshops focus on learning how to create productive learner-centered environments for college-level introductory astronomy classes. Participants will review research on the nature of teaching and learning; set course goals and objectives; and use interactive lectures, peer instruction, and more. Educators will also learn how to implement these teaching strategies for the classroom. Advanced workshops are available for participants who have taken part in previous CAE workshops.
Jan. 6-7,
2008 -- Austin, Texas (at American Astronomical Society Meeting)
Improving the College Introductory Astronomy Survey Course for Non-Science
Majors Through Active Learning: A Tier I (Introductory) Workshop
Mar. 1-2,
2008 -- Orange, Calif.
Advanced Strategies for Creating a Learner-Centered Introductory College
Astronomy Course: A Tier II (Advanced) Workshop
Mar.
14-15, 2008 -- Berkeley, Calif.
Improving the College Introductory Astronomy Survey Course for Non-Science
Majors Through Active Learning: A Tier I (Introductory) Workshop for Future
Instructors
Apr.
12-13, 2008 -- Jamestown, N.C.
Improving the College Introductory Astronomy Survey Course for Non-Science
Majors Through Active Learning: A Tier I (Introductory) Workshop
Apr. 12,
2008 -- Kalamazoo, Mich.
NASA CAE Great Lakes Regional Teaching Exchange
May
31-June 1, 2008 -- St. Louis, Mo.
Improving the College Introductory Astronomy Survey Course for Non-Science
Majors Through Active Learning: A Tier I (Introductory) Workshop
For more information and to register for workshops online, visit http://astronomy101.jpl.nasa.gov/workshops/index.cfm
(4) GLOBE AT NIGHT CAMPAIGN
Feb. 25 – March 8, 2008
2008 marks a monumental shift in human history when more than half the people on Earth are expected to be living in cities. Because of the ambient light of urban landscapes, many city dwellers have never seen a sky full of stars. GLOBE at Night is designed to aid teaching about the impact of artificial lighting on local environments and the ongoing loss of a dark night sky as a natural resource for much of the world's population.
Participation is free and does not require any special training or instruction. The GLOBE at Night Web site will provide all the information needed to participate, including instruction guides for teachers, students and parents. For more information, go to: http://www.globe.gov/fsl/html/templ.cgi?glbatnt08&lang=en.
The GLOBE Program is managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) and Colorado State University with support from NASA, NSF and the U.S. Department of State.
(5) MY NASA DATA SUMMER WORKSHOP 2008
June 22-27, 2008, Hampton, Va.
Application Deadline April 9, 2008
NASA Langley Research Center will host a hands-on workshop designed for educators of grades 6-12. The workshop will focus on using Earth system science data sets developed for the pre-college education community as part of the MY NASA DATA program. The data sets are derived from the archive of remotely-sensed data from NASA's Earth Observing System satellites.
Participating teachers will explore topics in Earth system science (especially atmospheric science), educational application of data sets and hands-on classroom activities. They will attend lectures and tours led by scientists. Participants will also explore how the data sets can be used to enhance their curriculum and how students can utilize these data for inquiry-based learning and research. A major component of the workshop will be to develop lessons incorporating one or more data sets.
Important Dates:
-Applications must be postmarked by April 9, 2008
-Notification of acceptance will be sent on or before May 2, 2008
-Workshop dates will be June 22-27, 2008
For more information, go to: http://mynasadata.larc.nasa.gov/workshop.html.
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EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES [Top]
(6) SPACE UPDATE 2008 VERSION RELEASED
Space Update is an interactive, real-time display system of space science images and data designed for museums and schools. Available on CD-ROM or DVD, the program displays hundreds of images and movies of the best of space science research, documented with Web references of how to find out more. Version 7 includes 2008 Sky Maps with images from the Cassini, Huygens and Mars Rover missions.
Space Update can be ordered online or downloaded from the website. For more information, visit http://www.spaceupdate.com/connected/spaceupdate.html.
(7) SPACE MATH PROBLEMS OF THE WEEK
http://spacemath.gsfc.nasa.gov/
Problem 112: How Fast does the Sun Spin? (Grades 5-9)
Students use two x-ray images of the sun taken by the Hinode satellite to determine how fast the sun rotates. [Skills: calculating map scales; time calculations; unit conversion]
Problem 113: NASA Juggles Four Satellites at Once! (Grades 8-10)
Students learn about NASA's Magnetospheric Multi-Scale (MMS) satellite mission and how it will use four satellites flying in formation to investigate the mysterious process, called magnetic reconnection, that causes changes in Earth's magnetic field. [Skills: Formulas with two variables; scientific notation]
Problem 114 The Heliopause...a question of balance (Grades: 8-10)
Students learn about the concept of pressure equilibrium by studying a simple mathematical model for the sun's heliopause located beyond the orbit of Pluto. They will calculate the distance to the heliopause by solving for 'R' and then using an Excel spreadsheet to examine how changes in solar wind density, speed and interstellar gas density relate to the values for R. [Skills: Formulas with two variables; scientific notation; spreadsheet programming]
Problem 115: A Mathematical Model of the Sun (Grades 8-10)
Students use the formula for a sphere and a shell to calculate the mass of the sun for various choices of its density. The goal is to reproduce the measured mass and radius of the sun by a careful selection of its density in a core region and a shell region. Students will manipulate the values for density and shell size to achieve the correct total mass. [Skills: scientific notation; volume of a sphere and a spherical shell; density, mass and volume.]
(8) EXTRA-CREDIT PROBLEMS IN SPACE
SCIENCE (GRADES 7-9)
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Extra-Credit_Problems_in_Space_Science.html
These activities are a compilation from “Space Math Problems of the Week” of 20 practical math applications in space science. Students looking for additional challenges in math and physical science are encouraged to use these as potential extra credit problems. The problems are authentic glimpses of modern engineering issues that arise in designing satellites to work in space. Each word problem has background information providing insight into the basic phenomena of the sun-Earth system, specifically space weather. Each one-page assignment is accompanied by a one-page teachers guide and answer key.
(9) ESSEA: TEACHING TEACHERS WHO TEACH EARTH SCIENCE
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/essea-teaching-teachers.html
To ensure that future scientists possess the perspective necessary to better understand Earth and tackle complex environmental problems, the Earth System Science Education Alliance is training geoscience teachers in the systems approach to Earth science. ESSEA offers online Earth system science courses, geared toward K-12 teachers. Read more about ESSEA on the NASA portal.
(10) EARTH OBSERVATORY FEATURE ARTICLES:
COAL CONTROVERY IN APPALACHIA
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/MountaintopRemoval/
In Appalachia, coal operators are removing the tops of mountains and burying hundreds of miles of streams with rock waste as they mine coal seams hundreds of feet below the mountain top.
OBSERVING VOLCANOES, SATELLITE THINKS FOR ITSELF
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/VolcanoSensorWeb/
NASA satellite sensor technology is automating volcanic observation. This technology provided timely information about the eruption of the Nyamuragira Volcano, one of Africa’s most active volcanoes.
(11) NEW VIDEO LEARNING CLIPS ON NASA’S EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS SITE
http://search.nasa.gov/search/edFilterSearch.jsp?empty=true
More than 70 educational video clips have been added to the Videos section of the NASA Educational Materials site. Educational video clips are short segments about aeronautics, Earth science, space science, space exploration and other NASA-related topics. Designed for students in grades K-12, these short videos are useful for supplementing classroom instruction.
Examples of topics included are: The Composition of the Sun (grades 5-8), Understanding Sunspots and Solar Flares (grades 5-8), The Universe is Born (grades 5-12) and Where Can NASA Find Water on Mars? (grades K-8).
(12) DESIGNING A MISSION TO LIVE
AND WORK ON THE MOON EDUCATOR GUIDE (GRADES 6-8)
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Lunar_Nautics_Designing_a_Mission.html
This unit features 40 activities that challenge students to assume the roles of workers at Lunar Nautics Space Systems, Inc., a fictional aerospace company specializing in mission management, lunar habitat and exploration design and scientific research.
The guide includes information to teach the basics on Newton’s Laws of Motion, rocket design, microgravity and the moon. Students design, test and analyze a model lunar lander, a robot and a soda bottle rocket. They also build edible models, a solar oven to cook hot dogs and a microgravity sled while underwater.
(13) NASA QUEST: MOON MATH! (GRADES 6-9)
Moon Math is a set of two math
units centered on the theme of lunar habitat design. The units are supported by paper-and-pencil activities and a
Moon Math data set in the “What’s the Difference?” software application. Unit I
contains three case studies that can be used together or as stand-alone
modules. These case studies focus on area, volume and proportion and are
provided at three levels of difficulty: whole numbers, decimals and fractions.
Unit II goes a step beyond lunar habitat design with three lessons
addressing the calculation of human weight on the Moon, the optimization of
cargo hold volume and the optimization of cargo weight for a lunar mission.
The Moon Math data set in “What’s the Difference?” supports both units
with imagery, animation, a human weight calculator and a lunar habitat
activity.
Download the free lessons and “What's the Difference?” application at: http://quest.nasa.gov/vft/#moon_math.
(14) TRAVEL VIRTUALLY TO ANTARCTICA THROUGH LIMA
Created for the 2007-2008 International Polar Year, the Landsat Image Mosaic of Antarctic, or LIMA, brings the coldest continent on Earth alive. “This mosaic of images opens up a window to the Antarctic that we just haven’t had before,” said Robert Bindschadler, a NASA scientist who conceived the project. “This innovation is like watching high-definition TV in living color versus watching the picture on a grainy black-and-white television,” he said. “Anyone with a computer and a Web connection can now travel to Antarctica.” Visit the LIMA Website to link to LIMA, which is a NASA, USGS and British Antarctic Survey partnership, with support from NSF.
This NASA site – Faces of Antarctica – provides links to LIMA and focuses on educational material about Antarctica and the mosaic.
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FELLOWSHIPS/INTERNSHIPS/SCHOLARSHIPS [Top]
(15) NASA EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
Proposals Due Feb. 1, 2008
NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowships are available in Earth science, heliophysics, planetary science and astrophysics. Students admitted to, or already enrolled in, full-time master's or doctoral programs in Earth and space sciences or related disciplines at accredited U.S. universities are eligible to apply.
The NESSF program solicits research involving data collected by space-based instruments during current and past NASA missions, relevant ground-based data and laboratory experiments, and theoretical modeling. Investigations that support instrumentation development relevant to future NASA missions are also invited.
NASA will award training grants of up to $30,000 for the 2008-2009 academic year. The grants may be renewed for no more than two additional years. Renewal is contingent upon academic performance, research progress and recommendation by the faculty advisor.
Proposals for new applications are due Feb. 1, 2008. For more information, visit http://nspires.nasaprs.com, click on "Solicitations," and select "NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowships/08."
(16) UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Deadline: Jan. 31 for summer
internship; Feb. 29 for fall internship
NASA's University Student Research Program offers research experiences at NASA Centers to undergraduates who are U.S. citizens. Applications are now available for 2008 summer or fall sessions. Applicants must be sophomores, juniors or seniors at the start of the internship, with an academic major or course work concentration in engineering, mathematics, computer science, or physical or life sciences. The application deadlines are Jan. 31, 2008, for summer; and Feb. 29, 2008, for fall. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/postsecondary/learning/Undergraduate_Student_Research_Project.html.
(17) UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS AND INTERNSHIPS IN STEM
FIELDS
Application Deadline: Feb. 1, 2008
The Motivating Undergraduates in Science and Technology Project, funded by NASA, is a joint partnership between the Hispanic College Fund, the United Negro College Fund Special Programs and the Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers.
Students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics are eligible. The MUST Project is open to all undergraduate students and is particularly focused on engaging students from underserved and underrepresented groups.
The MUST Project supports approximately 100 undergraduate students with a one-year competitive scholarship of up to one-half of tuition, not to exceed $10,000. Students who maintain the required minimum grade point average will be eligible for a paid internship at a NASA center or other research facility. Additionally, students will benefit year-round from tutoring, lecture series and mentoring from STEM faculty and peers.
For more information, visit:
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SCIENCE NEWS [Top]
For the latest NASA Earth and space science news, visit the Science Mission Directorate website, the NASA Earth Observatory or Science@NASA. Science@NASA stories are also available as podcasts, as well as translated into Spanish at their sister site, Ciencia@NASA. NASA science is also regularly featured on Earth & Sky radio shows.
(18) Asteroid Threatens to hit Mars
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/21dec_2007wd5.htm?list1022025
Dec. 21 -- NASA-funded astronomers are monitoring a Tunguska-sized asteroid that will pass within 30,000 miles of Mars on Jan. 30, 2008. Based on data currently available, the space rock has approximately a 1-in-75 chance of actually hitting Mars and blasting a crater more than half-a-mile wide.
(19) SUZAKU EXPLAINS COSMIC POWERHOUSES
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/news/topstory/2007/cosmic_powerhouses.html
Dec. 20 - By working in synergy with a ground-based telescope array, the joint Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency/NASA Suzaku X-ray observatory is shedding new light on some of the most energetic objects in our galaxy. These objects remain shrouded in mystery.
(20) LUNAR SAFETY ZONES
Dec 18 - New research has shown that Earth's magnetosphere actually protects some parts of the Moon from solar storms.
(21) NASA CLIMATE CHANGE SCIENTISTS SHARE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NasaNews/2007/2007121725987.html
Dec. 17— On Dec. 10, the chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee presented the shared 2007 Nobel Peace Prize to former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and to representatives of a United Nations panel. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has spent two decades assessing Earth's changing climate and predicting where it is headed. Hundreds of NASA scientists contributed to the United Nations effort, working with thousands of their colleagues from more than 150 countries.
(22) ‘DEATH STAR’ GALAXY BLACK HOLE FIRES AT NEIGHBORING GALAXY
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/chandra/news/07-139.html
Dec. 17-- A powerful jet from a super massive black hole in one galaxy is blasting a nearby galaxy, according to new data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. This never-before witnessed galactic violence may have a profound effect on planets in the jet's path and trigger a burst of star formation in its destructive wake.
(23) IS A NEW SOLAR CYCLE BEGINNING?
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/14dec_excitement.htm?list1022025
Dec. 14-- A modest knot of magnetism recently popped up on the sun, possibly
heralding the start of a new solar cycle.
(24) SAHARAN DUST HAS CHILLING EFFECT ON NORTH ATLANTIC
http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/cooling_dust.html
Dec. 14-- NASA has discovered that the chilling effect of dust was responsible for the difference in hurricane activity between 2005 and 2006.
(25) AIR QUALITY FORECASTS SEE FUTURE IN SPACE
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NasaNews/2007/2007121325984.html
Dec. 13--Weather broadcasts have long been a staple for people planning their day. Now with the help of NASA satellites, researchers are working to broaden daily forecasts to include predictions of air quality.
(26) SATURN’S RINGS MAY BE OLD TIMERS
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/media/cassini20071212.html
Dec. 12--New observations by NASA's Cassini spacecraft indicate the rings of Saturn, once thought to have formed during the age of the dinosaurs, instead may have been created roughly 4.5 billion years ago.
(27) IN SEARCH FOR WATER ON MARS, CLUES FROM ANTARCTICA
Dec. 12 - Scientists have gathered more evidence that suggests flowing water on Mars - by comparing images of the red planet to an otherworldly landscape on Earth.
(28) NASA HURRICANE ANIMATION IMPROVES STORM DAMAGE PREDICTION
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NasaNews/2007/2007121125983.html
Dec. 11—A new hurricane animation developed by NASA can help forecasters predict overall storm damage more accurately, thanks to a student intern science team that developed new computer graphics using satellite imagery.
(29) SPACECRAFT REVEALS NEW INSIGHTS ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF SOLAR WIND
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2007/dec/HQ_07264_Hinode_Waves.html
Dec. 6 - Images from NASA-funded telescopes aboard a Japanese satellite have shed new light about the sun's magnetic field and the origins of solar wind, which disrupts power grids, satellites and communications on Earth.
(30) SATURN’S SMALL MOONS TELL STORY OF ORIGINS
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/media/cassini20071206.html
Dec. 6--Imaging scientists on NASA's Cassini mission are telling a tale of how the small moons orbiting near the outer rings of Saturn originated.
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CALENDAR [Top]
4 Jan. 2008
Entries due: 21st Century Explorer Podcast Competition for ages
11-18, http://www.explorationpodcast.com/.
6-7 Jan. 2008
Astronomy workshop for post secondary educators, Austin, Texas, http://astronomy101.jpl.nasa.gov/workshops/workshops_details.cfm?ID=36.
7 Jan. 2008
Entries due: NASA 50th Anniversary Essay Contest for
Students Grades 5-9, http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/5-8/features/F_Essay_Competition.html.
7-11 Jan. 2008
AAS Winter Meeting, Austin, Texas, http://www.aas.org/meetings/aas211/.
31 Jan. 2008
NASA Explorer School Application Deadline, http://explorerschools.nasa.gov/portal/site/nes/menuitem.3a9dc5f6e0302a448258f708c41a5ea0/.
31 Jan. 2008
Undergraduate Research Internship Opportunity deadline for Summer 2008, http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/postsecondary/learning/Undergraduate_Student_Research_Project.html.
1 Feb. 2008
Proposals Due: NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship Program, go to http://nspires.nasaprs.com, click on "Solicitations," and select "NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowships/08."
20-22 Feb. 2008
2008 International Space University (ISU) International Symposium, Strasbourg,
France, http://www.isunet.edu.
25 Feb. - 8 March 2008
GLOBE at Night Campaign, http://www.globe.gov/fsl/html/templ.cgi?glbatnt08&lang=en.
29 Feb. 2008
Undergraduate Research Internship Opportunity
deadline for Fall 2008, http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/postsecondary/learning/Undergraduate_Student_Research_Project.html.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS [Top]
NASA Science Mission Directorate:
Larry Cooper, Ann Coren, Doris Daou and Ming-Ying Wei.
Editor: Theresa Schwerin, Institute for Global Environmental
Strategies (IGES), theresa_schwerin@strategies.org.
Writer: Anne McCauley, IGES, anne_mccauley@strategies.org.
Contributions from: Susan Moore, NASA Langley Research Center; Sten Odenwald, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; Pat Reiff, Rice University; and Dan Stillman, IGES.