NASA Glenn Research Center Explorers Posts

The NASA Glenn Research Center Exploring Program consists of exciting, hands-on activities in science, technology, engineering and math. The program is open to young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) through 20 years old. Application forms are available on the NASA Glenn Education Web site.

There are five Posts, which each meet one evening per week.

Explorers Post 630 - Aeronautics

Youth in this group will explore science, engineering, technology, and mathematics as applied to aerospace vehicles and propulsion systems. The post members explore aeronautics and propulsion concepts by building, testing, and flying models. Past post activities have included designing and testing of high-efficiency wings for aircraft, wind tunnel models, model rockets, and fan jet powered model cars as well as turbojet engine experiments, discussions of current events in aerospace, and GRC facility visits. The post activities are guided by the student’s interests and desires. The Post meets on Thursday starting October 4, 2012, 5 to 7 p.m. through April 30, 2013. For more information about this Post, e-mail Jinho Lee (jinho.lee-1@nasa.gov ).

Explorers Post 631 - Computer Technology

Youth in this group participate in a variety of computer activities. Students learn computer technology through challenging and interesting hands-on activities. Creativity is encouraged. The students gain experience in fields such as animation, robotics, graphics, game programming, Web development, Arduino programming, signal processing, data acquisition, and image processing. They are also exposed to the traditional topics including programming, computer architecture, and basic circuitry. The post goes on a variety of tours of labs both at GRC and in the Greater Cleveland area. Fun activities are included such as going to play Whirlyball and hiking with an experienced guide. Students also participate in a group volunteer activity. The Post meets on Thursday starting October 4, 2012, 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. through April 30, 2013. For more information about this Post, e-mail Herb Schilling (hschilling@nasa.gov ). To learn more about the Post, here are the Explorers Post 631 2011-2012 Open House Presentation slides.

Explorers Post 632 - BalloonSat

Students in BalloonSat Post 632 will collaboratively design experiments for a springtime high-altitude balloon flight. The balloon will fly to about 100,000 ft up where the payloads will be above 99 percent of the atmosphere. The students will construct payload boxes and test hardware over the course of the school year. This is an opportunity to do real science in a near space environment 19 miles up. Competitions, tours, and a holiday party add to the main focus of planning for a successful flight day. A fall kickoff balloon flight is planned (weather permitting) for a chance for students to participate in a balloon launch and recovery. The Post meets on Thursday starting October 4, 2012, 5 to 7 p.m. through April 30, 2013. For more information about this Post, e-mail Jinho David Wolford (wolford@nasa.gov ).

Explorers Post 633- Human Space Flight

Youth in this group will explore Human Spaceflight through a variety of hands-on activities. Learn the fundamentals of rocketry, power systems, robotics, and GPS Orienteering. Build, test, and launch your own model rocket, discover robotics, and build a robot. Participate in a robotics competition. Discover interesting environmental phenomena and discover what is required to protect a human crew from solar flares and cosmic radiation. Through various activities, you will learn how to cooperate and make decisions as a team. Work on a team to design a future space mission. Participate in research facility tours and make new friends. The Post meets on Tuesday starting October 2, 2012, 5 to 7 p.m. through April 30, 2013. For more information about this Post, e-mail Tom Miller (thomas.b.miller@nasa.gov ).

Explorers Post 634 - eXtreme Green

Youth will participate in eXtreme activities by experiencing what the next generation of GreenLab will be in the future. We concentrate on finding alternative, renewable, and sustainable solutions for selfsustainable renewable energy ecosystems and will be monitoring the Big 6 metrics in the GreenLab Research Facility. Youth will be engaged in conducting biofuel, biomass, and alternative energy optimization experiments, participate in eXtreme roundtable discussions, as well as analyze eXtreme green data that will be used in a world-class laboratory. The students will gain experience in the fields of biology, chemistry, electrical engineering, environmental science, mathematics, robotics, and fluid physics. The Post meets on Monday starting October 4, 2012, 5 to 7 p.m. through April 30, 2013. For more information about this Post, e-mail Bilal Bomani (bilal.m.bomani@nasa.gov ).

NASA Glenn Research Center is located in Cleveland, Ohio.