NASA “Science WOW!” Message – April 25, 2018

Check out the latest edition of NASA’s “Science WOW!” — your source for NASA science opportunities for educators and students.

This newsletter is the final edition of NASA Science WOW! But there is good news! The NASA EXPRESS has recently been updated and revamped, so if you aren’t a subscriber already, please subscribe to the NASA EXPRESS newsletter at nasa.gov/education/express.


Science Always Starts With a Question …


This Week’s Question: How Many Trips Around Earth Has the Hubble Space Telescope Made?

Happy anniversary, Hubble! The Hubble Space Telescope has been observing the cosmos from Earth orbit for 28 years. During its mission, Hubble has made more than 1.5 million observations, but how far has it travelled? Find out and see Hubble’s anniversary image featuring the Lagoon Nebula.

http://hubblesite.org/news_release/news/2018-21


Have You Seen This?


Do you want to fly through a nebula or zoom in on a star cluster? Browse NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope Video Playlist to learn about the latest discoveries and the history behind the record-breaking telescope.

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/videos/index.html

Want to watch archived recordings of lectures related to Hubble and space science? Check out the Space Telescope Science Institute’s Public Lecture Series Webcasts page.

https://webcast.stsci.edu/webcast/searchresults.xhtml?searchtype=20&eventid=40&sortmode=1


Opportunities for Future Scientists of All Ages



Science Opportunities for Educators of Grades K-12



Science Opportunities for Higher Education and Informal Institutions


 


Opportunities for Future Scientists of All Ages


Help NASA Predict Landslides — Citizen Science: Landslide Reporter
Audience: All Educators and Students

Landslides affect all countries, yet scientists don’t have a clear picture of where and when landslides occur globally. To predict landslides more accurately, NASA scientists are building the Cooperative Open Online Landslide Repository with data of past landslides — and you can help. Learn how to add to the COOLR catalog using the Landslide Reporter citizen science application.

To learn more, visit https://landslides.nasa.gov.

Questions about this opportunity should be directed to landslide_support@nccs.nasa.gov.


Citizen Science Project: Cosmoquest’s Image Detective
Audience: All Educators and Students

CosmoQuest’s Image Detective, a NASA-funded citizen science project, invites the public to identify Earth features in photographs taken by astronauts aboard the International Space Station. Citizen scientists are asked to help identify geographic features (natural or human-made) in astronaut photographs and then determine the location on Earth where the photo is centered.

Your efforts can enhance NASA’s database of images taken by astronauts from the space station. To learn more, visit http://cosmoquest.org/ImageDetective.

Questions about this opportunity should be directed to info@cosmoquest.org.


Be a Citizen Scientist With the ‘Aurorasaurus’ Project
Audience: All Educators and Students
Project Timeframe: Ongoing

Aurorasaurus is the first and only citizen science project that tracks auroras around the world via online reports, mobile apps and social media.

Aurorasaurus is a citizen science project that gathers real-time data about aurora sightings and sends out notifications to users when the northern or southern lights are likely visible in their area. Registered users get location-based notifications and a real-time monitor of space weather activity. The project also allows users to help verify tweets and search for real sightings. Plus, the website features answers to science and aurora questions.

To learn more, visit http://www.aurorasaurus.org/.

Please direct questions about this project to aurorasaurus.info@gmail.com.

This project receives support from the National Science Foundation and NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.


Science Opportunities for Educators of Grades K-12


2018 Texas Space Grant Consortium STEM Educator Scholarships
Audience: Educators Enrolled in Programs for a Master’s Degree in a STEM Field at Member Institutions of the Texas Space Grant Consortium
Application Deadline: April 27, 2018

The Texas Space Grant Consortium’s Educator STEM Scholarship Program provides $1,500 scholarships to eligible teachers enrolled in master’s programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. Applicants must be U.S. citizens who hold a bachelor’s degree and are enrolled in a master’s program at a Texas Space Grant Consortium institution. Members of underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

For more information, visit http://www.tsgc.utexas.edu/edu_stem/.

Please direct questions about this scholarship to scholarships@tsgc.utexas.edu.


2018 NASA SEES TEX2 Teacher Externship Program
Audience: Secondary Educators in Texas
Application Deadline: May 1, 2018

Join NASA, the Texas Space Grant Consortium and The University of Texas at Austin Center for Space Research for a weeklong “externship” this summer. Educators will collaborate with students selected from across the nation and NASA scientists. Participants will conduct research using Earth-observing satellite data and explore STEM careers. Housing, meals and a stipend will be provided.

For more information, visit http://www.tsgc.utexas.edu/sees-externship/.

Please direct questions about this opportunity to baguio@csr.utexas.edu.


**NEW** Free Webinar — Sailing Through the Universe: Propelling Your Classroom Into STEM
Audience: Educators of Grades 5-10
Event Date: May 2, 2018, at 6 p.m. EDT

Join NASA’s Beginning Engineering, Science and Technology educators for a free 60-minute professional development webinar. Learn how NASA is using sunlight as an inexpensive option for propelling spacecraft beyond Earth’s orbit. Using NASA’s BEST Space Sailing Instructional Guide, participants will build a small space probe prototype. Learn how to incorporate engineering challenges and the engineering design process into your school science program.

For more information and to register to participate, visit https://nasasbestspacesailing.eventbrite.com.

Please direct questions about this webinar to afrc-nasabestedu@mail.nasa.gov.


Online Training Session: Using NASA Earth Observing Data for Monitoring and Response to Vector-borne and Water-borne Diseases

Audience: All Educators
Event Date: May 8, 2018, 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. EDT

Vectors are living organisms that are able to transmit diseases between humans or from animals to humans. Vectors include mosquitoes, ticks, sandflies, fleas and other insects.

Join NASA’s Global Precipitation Measurement mission for a beginner-level online training webinar to learn how NASA Earth-observing satellite data sets can be used to identify environmental conditions that may result in the onset of vector-borne diseases. Two sessions are being offered. To learn more and to register to attend, visit https://pmm.nasa.gov/disease-initiative.

Please direct questions about this opportunity to dorian.w.janney@nasa.gov.


NASA’s Global Precipitation Measurement Mission’s Vector-borne and Water-related Disease Initiative Workshop
Audience: All Educators
Event Date: May 17, 2018, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. EDT

Vector-borne diseases are responsible for over 17 percent of all the infectious diseases globally. Many of these diseases are preventable through protective measures.

Join NASA’s Global Precipitation Measurement mission for a daylong workshop at the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C., to hear success stories that showcase how NASA data is being used to inform, predict and better understand water-related and vector-borne disease. Register online to attend the workshop in person or remotely.

For more information, visit https://pmm.nasa.gov/disease-initiative.

Please direct questions about this opportunity to dorian.w.janney@nasa.gov.

 


Opportunities for Higher Education and Informal Institutions


NASA Stennis Community College and Education Faculty Fellowship Program
Audience: Full-time Faculty at Accredited Higher Education Institutions in Mississippi and Louisiana
Application Deadline: April 27, 2018, at 5 p.m. CDT
Fellowship Dates: June 4 – Aug. 10, 2018

The NASA Stennis Community College and Education Faculty Fellowship Program provides opportunities for STEM faculty to do research for 10 weeks during the summer at NASA’s Stennis Space Center near the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens working full time at a two-year or four-year accredited university or college in Mississippi or Louisiana. The program provides a weekly stipend. Qualified faculty from minority-serving institutions are particularly encouraged to apply.

Applications are due April 27, 2018, at 5 p.m. CDT. For more information, visit https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/2018_nasa_stennis_community_college_and_education_summer_faculty_fellowship_program_announcement.pdf.

Please direct questions about this opportunity to mitch.krell@nasa.gov.


Call for Papers: 2018 International Space Station Research and Development Conference
Audience: Higher Education Educators and Students
Abstract Submission Deadline: April 27, 2018

The seventh annual International Space Station Research and Development Conference will be held July 23-26, 2018, in San Francisco, California

NASA, the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, and the American Astronomical Society are seeking abstracts under the categories of Biology and Medicine; Human Health in Space; Commercial and Nongovernment Use; Physical Sciences and Materials Development; Plant Science; Earth Science and Remote Sensing; Innovative Solutions; Technology Development and Demonstration; Finances; and STEM Education (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Topics should relate to science, exploration and technology activities (past, present, planned or under development) on the International Space Station.

Both the conference and abstract submittal are open to entrepreneurial, commercial, academic and government agency attendees, both from and outside the United States. Eligible attendees include professionals, young professionals, students and interested parties. The working language for the conference is English. The conference will include plenaries for topics of general interest and technical sessions for focused discussions.

Because of the large number of expected submissions, presenters are encouraged to submit abstracts early. The deadline is April 27, 2018.

For more information about the conference and how to submit an abstract for consideration, visit http://www.issconference.org/.

Please direct questions about this opportunity to ISSTechChair@atdl-inc.com.


2018 Columbia Crew Memorial Undergraduate Scholarships
Audience: Undergraduate Students at Member Institutions of the Texas Space Grant Consortium
Application Deadline: April 27, 2018

The Texas Space Grant Consortium and the Aviation and Space Foundation of Texas, in partnership with NASA, are offering undergraduate scholarships of $1,500 in memory of the Space Shuttle Columbia astronauts. These scholarships recognize outstanding students and encourage graduate studies in STEM-related fields. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and registered for at least a half-time course load at a Texas Space Grant Consortium institution. Members of underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

For more information, visit http://www.tsgc.utexas.edu/grants/scholars_announcement.html.

Please direct questions about this scholarship to scholarships@tsgc.utexas.edu.


2018-2019 Texas Space Grant Consortium Graduate Fellowships
Audience: Graduate Students at Member Institutions of the Texas Space Grant Consortium
Application Deadline: April 27, 2018

Texas Space Grant Consortium Fellowships encourage graduate study in the fields of space science and engineering. Interdisciplinary and integrated work experience are emphasized. Each $5,000 award supplements half-time graduate support (or a fellowship) provided by a consortium institution. Applicants must be U.S. citizens registered for full-time study in a graduate program at one or more of the Texas Space Grant Consortium institutions. Members of underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

For more information, visit http://www.tsgc.utexas.edu/grants/fellows_announcement.html.

Please direct questions about this fellowship to fellowships@tsgc.utexas.edu.


Free ‘Sun, Earth, Universe’ Exhibition Available for Eligible Institutions
Audience: Informal Science Education Institutions in the U.S. within the NISE Network (NISENet)
Application Deadline: May 1, 2018

In collaboration with NASA, NISENet is accepting applications from eligible institutions to receive a free “Sun, Earth, Universe” exhibition. This engaging and interactive museum exhibition about Earth and space science has been curated with science experts and designed for family audiences. Visit the site for eligibility details.

The exhibition is designed for NISENet partners located within the United States and U.S. territories. Applicants must be informal science education institutions such as science museums and science centers, children’s museums, natural history museums and nature centers, public planetariums and observatories, and NASA visitor centers.

To learn more, visit https://science.nasa.gov/news-articles/Free-Science-Exhibits-Available-for-Eligible-Institutions.

Please note that K-12 schools, afterschool programs, libraries, parks, summer camps and astronomy clubs are not eligible to exhibit. If your institution is not eligible, consider downloading a digital version of the “Explore Science: Earth & Space Toolkit” to engage audiences in hands-on Earth and space science activities with connections to science, technology and society. Digital toolkits are available for free download at: http://www.nisenet.org/earthspacekit.

Please direct questions about this opportunity to exhibits@nisenet.org.

 


Check out the ‘Explore NASA Science’ website!
Science starts with questions, leading to discoveries. Explore the redesigned NASA Science site and send us feedback. Visit https://science.nasa.gov. To view the site in Spanish, visit http://ciencia.nasa.gov.

Don’t miss out on upcoming NASA education opportunities
.
For a full list of events, opportunities and more, visit the Educators and Students 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

Are you looking for NASA educational materials to support your STEM curriculum?
Search hundreds of resources by subject, grade level, type and keyword at http://www.nasa.gov/education/resources/.

Find NASA science resources for your classroom.
NASA Wavelength is a digital collection of Earth and space science resources for educators of all levels — from elementary to college, to out-of-school programs. http://nasawavelength.org/

Take Part in a Year of Education on Station
September 2017 – September 2018: Although on different crews, astronauts Joe Acaba and Ricky Arnold — both former teachers — will work aboard the International Space Station. Visit NASA’s A Year of Education on Station website for out-of-this-world resources and opportunities for K-16 students and educators.

Visit NASA Education on the web:
NASA Office of Education: http://www.nasa.gov/education
For Educators: http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/index.html
For Students: http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/index.html
NASA Kids’ Club: http://www.nasa.gov/kidsclub

Did you miss last week’s NASA Science WOW! newsletter?
Visit the Science WOW! blog for an archive of previous messages.
https://blogs.nasa.gov/educationsciencewow/