NASA Earth and Space Science Education E-Newsletter
September 2009
This monthly broadcast includes upcoming educational programs, events, opportunities and the latest resources from NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.
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UPCOMING PROGRAMS & EVENTS
NEW IN THIS ISSUE
(1) NASA’s First “Top Stars” Announced, Contest Continues (Round Two Deadline: Aug. 30)
(2) Online Climate Discovery Courses for Middle & High School Educators, Accepting Fall Registrations (Early Registration Deadline: Sept. 1)
(3) Submit a Talk for an Education Session at the Dec. 2009 AGU Meeting (Deadline: Sept. 3)
(4) Solar System Educators Program Accepting Applications (Deadline: Sept. 15)
(5) Student Contest for Grades 5-12: Cassini Scientist for a Day (Entries due: Sept. 30)
(6) International Space Universityʻs 14th Annual Symposium (Abstracts due Oct. 2)
(7) Celebrate World Space Week (Oct. 4-10)
(8) Free Public Event Featuring Astronomy of the Maya (Oct. 10, San Rafael, Calif.)
(9) International Year of Planet Earth & Earth Science Week 2009 Photography Contest (Entries due Oct. 16)
(10) GLOBE Africa Student Research Expedition
(11) A Day at Goddard: Opportunity for DC Metro Teachers (Grades 8-12)
(12) Solar Dynamics Observatory Ambassador in the Classroom
(13) Laboratory Earth: Online Science Courses for K-12 Educators
PREVIOUSLY BROADCAST
(14) Ten Years of Science with Chandra Science Conference (Boston, Mass., Sept. 22-25; Register by Sept. 4)
(15) MS PHD’S Earth Science Initiative Accepting Applications (Deadline: Sept. 8)
(16) Astronomy and Earth Science Workshops for K-4 Teachers (Millbrae, Calif., Sept. 12-13)
(17) Public Lecture on Tracking Severe Storms (Sept. 16)
(18) The NASA Endeavor Science Teaching Certificate (Deadline Sept. 30)
(19) Public Astrophotography Project (July – September)
(20) Earth Science Week K-9 Student Contests (Entries due Oct. 16)
(21) Public Library Tour: Visions of the Universe (Through March 2010)
(22) Solar System Ambassadors Summer Events (All Ages)
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EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
(23) New Vision for NASA’s “Eyes on the Earth” Visualization Tool
(24) Test Your Infrared Memory – New Game on Space Place Web site
(25) Investigate the Developing El Niño in the Pacific—New Article on Ocean Motion Web Site
(26) Blast Back to School with NASA Education Resources
(27) GLOBE Student Data Milestone Reached
(28) New Problems on Space Math
(29) Earth Observatory Feature Articles
Notes from the Field Blog: North Woods, Maine 2009
Flying Steady: Mission Control Tunes Up Aqua’s OrbitNotes from the Field Blog: Journey to Galapagos
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
(30) NASA to Provide Education Funding for Museums and Planetariums (Proposals due Sept. 10)
(31) NASA Office of Education Accepting Proposals for K-12 Cooperative Agreements Notice (Proposals Due Sept. 25)
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SCIENCE NEWS
(32) NASA Heads Out to Sea
(33) NASA Researcher Nets First Measure of Africa’s Coastal Forests
(34) Chandra Turns Ten Years Old
(35) Major Insight Into Evolution of Life on Earth
(36) Cosmic Ray Detector in Search of Antimatter Galaxies
(37) Satellites Unlock Secret to Northern India’s Vanishing Water
(38) Meteorite Found on Mars Yields Clues About Planet’s Past
(39) NASA Monitors Activity Inside Mount St. Helens
(40) Kepler Detects an Exoplanet Atmosphere
(41) NASA Spitzer Sees the Cosmos Through “Warm” Infrared Eyes
(42) New NASA Images Indicate Object Hit Jupiter
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*NEW IN THIS ISSUE
(1) NASA’S FIRST “TOP STARS” ANNOUNCED, CONTEST CONTINUES
Round Two Deadline: Aug. 30; Round Three Deadline: Nov. 30
Entries by Andrew Fraknoi of San Francisco, Calif., and Sheree' Kearns of Jacksonville, Fla., are the first to be selected as "Top Stars" in a new NASA-sponsored contest that invites U.S. formal (K-12 and college) and informal educators to submit their best examples of using Hubble in science, technology, engineering or mathematics education.
The Top Stars contest continues through January 2010 and is conducted by the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) in cooperation with the Space Telescope Science Institute. Submissions are accepted from individuals and from teams of up to four members, and may include any combination of text, graphics, video and photos.
To see the showcase of Round One “Top Star” entries, or for specific contest guidelines visit: http://topstars.strategies.org.
(2) ONLINE CLIMATE COURSES FOR MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATORS—ACCEPTING FALL REGISTRATIONS
Early Registration Deadline: Sept. 1
The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) offers a series of six and seven week courses for middle and high school teachers that combine geoscience content, information about current climate research, easy to implement hands-on activities, and group discussion. The courses run concurrently from Sept. 18 through Nov. 8. There is a $225 fee per course (save $25 if you register by Sept. 1st.)
CD 501: Introduction to Earth’s Climate
CD 502: Earth System Science: A Climate Change Perspective
CD 503: Understanding Climate Change Today
For more specific course information, a course schedule and registration information, visit: http:/ecourses.ncar.ucar.edu or contact Kirsten Meymaris at kirstenm@ucar.edu.
(3) SUBMIT TALK FOR AN EDUCATION SESSION AT THE DEC. 2009 AGU MEETING
Deadline Sept. 3
As you get ready for the Dec. 14-18, 2009, American Geophysical Union (AGU) meeting, consider submitting an abstract to one of these proposed education sessions being organized by NASA representatives.
- Bringing Back the Moon: Using Lunar Education Resources to Enhance K-12 STEM Education (ED02)
- Connecting Science and Literacy in the Classroom: Using Space and Earth Science to Support Language Arts (ED04)
- Innovative Practices in K-12 Pre- and In-Service Geoscience Teacher Professional Development (ED13)
- International Year of Astronomy 2009: Impacts in Education and Public Outreach and Plans Beyond (ED15)
- Simulations, Animations and Interactive Multimedia for Planetary Sciences Teaching and Learning (ED18)
- Developing Sustainable Education and Outreach Programs and Projects: Lessons Learned (ED20)
To submit an abstract, visit: http://www.agu.org/meetings/fm09/program/abstract_submissions.php.
(4) SOLAR SYSTEM EDUCATORS PROGRAM ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
Deadline: Sept. 15
NASA's Solar System Educators Program, a nationwide network of highly motivated teachers, is accepting applications from interested teachers. Applicants need to have at least five years of in-class teaching experience. Teachers should also have experience leading workshops and be familiar with their state standards. Selected teachers will be trained on the use of NASA educational products. Accepted applicants will conduct and report three space and/or Earth sciences workshops per year for other teachers in their home states. Teachers from the following states are especially encouraged to apply: Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota and Tennessee. All application packages should be completed and returned by Sept. 15. However, the deadline may be extended for candidates in the states listed above.
To receive an application form, contact Kay Ferrari, SSEP Coordinator, by e-mail at: ssep@jpl.nasa.gov.
For more information about the program, visit http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/ssep/index.cfm.
(5) STUDENT CONTEST FOR GRADES 5-12: CASSINI SCIENTIST FOR A DAY
Entries due: Sept. 30
On Oct. 11, 2009, the Cassini spacecraft will take images of Saturn and its rings and moons for students. Students will study the three imaging target choices, decide which one they think will yield the best science results, and explain their choice in a 500-word essay. Winners and their classes will participate in a teleconference with Cassini scientists from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in October. The Fall 2009 imaging targets will be announced on Sept. 1, 2009.
For more information, including videos about each of the targets, visit: http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/scientistforaday/
Questions can be sent to: scientistforaday@jpl.nasa.gov
(6) INTERNATIONAL SPACE UNIVERSITY’S 14th ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM: ‘THE PUBLIC FACE OF SPACEʻ
Abstracts Due Oct. 2, 2009
During each academic year, the International Space University (ISU) organizes a three-day symposium as an interdisciplinary, international forum to help both the users and the providers of space-related systems to move forward from the discussion of problems to the formulation of innovative solutions. ISU’s next symposium, the 14th in this series of annual events, will address space promotion, education and outreach in a very broad way. The symposium program will include considerations of public awareness and expectations, as well as workforce development and capacity building, all with the goal of producing recommendations for ways forward towards a sustainable space program. The program will include invited contributions from leading experts in the field, as well as presentations and posters selected in response to the attached Call for Papers. Information about the symposium, including the Call for Papers, will be kept up-to-date on the ISU website, under “Programs: Symposium,” at: http://www.isunet.edu.
(7) CELEBRATE WORLD SPACE WEEK (Oct. 4-10)
Join educators and space enthusiasts around the world to celebrate World Space Week, Oct. 4-10, 2009. This international event, declared by the United Nations, commemorates the beginning of the Space Age with the launch of Sputnik 1 on Oct. 4, 1957.
As part of World Space Week, on Oct. 8 the Koshland Science Museum in Washington, DC, will present “From the Big Bang to the James Webb Telescope: An Evening with John C. Mather.” Mather is Senior Astrophysicist in the Observational Cosmology Laboratory at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. For details, go to: http://www.koshland-science-museum.org/events/upcomingevent.jsp?id=362
During World Space Week, teachers are encouraged to use space-themed activities in the classroom to promote student interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Also this year, $500 teacher grants will be awarded by the World Space Week Association for the most creative use of space in the classroom during World Space Week (see http://www.worldspaceweek.org/educational_awards_rules.html). To learn more about World Space Week, visit http://www.worldspaceweek.org/index.html.
(8) FREE PUBLIC EVENT FEATURING ASTRONOMY OF THE MAYA (Oct. 10; San Rafael, Ca.)
On Saturday, Oct. 10th from 2:30–11:00 pm, the Center for Science Education will help host a public event that features Maya culture and science. Teachers in Professional Development workshops will help staff activity tables with informal physical science and Heliophysics activities. Partners include THEMIS, STEREO, Wind, Sun-Earth Day, Casa de la Cultura Maya, Contemporanea, Cornerstone Evaluation Associates, Exploratorium, Chabot Space and Science Center, and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. The event is free and open to the public. Bring the whole family for fun and learning. This event is funded by a NASA grant: ELISA (Engaging Latinos in Space and Atmospheric Sciences,) Integrated Teacher Professional Development and Community Outreach.The event includes Maya astronomy, dance demonstrations, Maya art, talks by experts and solar and nighttime telescopes. For more information, visit: http://cse.ssl.berkeley.edu/cms/Programs/HispanicMayanOutreach/tabid/166/Default.aspx. If you have any questions or have materials you would like to include, contact Laura Peticolas at laura@ssl.berkeley.edu.
(9) INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF PLANET EARTH & EARTH SCIENCE WEEK 2009 PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST
Entries due Oct. 16
To celebrate the International Year of Planet Earth and Earth Science Week 2009, the American Geological Institute is sponsoring a major international photography contest. Photographs should focus on the topic “Exploring Earth Science Around the World.” The contest is open to anyone of any age from anywhere around the world. Entries must be submitted electronically. http://www.earthsciweek.org/contests/iypephotocontest/index.html.
(10) GLOBE AFRICA STUDENT RESEARCH EXPEDITION
The GLOBE Africa Regional Consortium will host a student scientific research expedition to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa Sept. 24 though Oct. 2. Students will create a “classroom on the mountain,” installing permanent soil monitoring equipment at various elevations on the mountain to provide valuable ground temperature data. This will allow scientists and students from around the world to conduct research on environmental change taking place on Mt. Kilimanjaro. The growth of GLOBE activities in Africa has been made possible largely through NASA’s support of the program. In appreciation, the GLOBE Africa Regional Consortium has invited NASA GLOBE Program Officer, Dr. Ming Ying Wei, to plant the NASA and GLOBE flags on the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro. To learn more about GLOBE Africa visit: http://www.globe-africa.org/.
(11) A DAY AT GODDARD: OPPORTUNITY FOR DC METRO TEACHERS (Grades 8-12)
Teachers in the DC Metro area are invited to bring their students to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center for a day spent learning what it is like to work for NASA. Field trips begin with a meet-and-greet at the visitor’s center featuring a scientist and engineer. Students will also see the Science on a Sphere program. After lunch the group is invited into the Center to tour the satellite testing facility and conduct an inquiry based science lab activity. Programs are highly customizable, teacher-friendly and designed for grades 8-12. Contact Aleya Van Doren with your desired date and class information to reserve your spot at aleya.vandoren@nasa.gov. Slots fill up quickly so register today!
(12) SOLAR DYNAMICS OBSERVATORY AMBASSADOR IN THE CLASSROOM
Let NASA take over your classroom for the day! Teachers in the DC Metro area and southern Pennsylvania are eligible for a visit from an SDO educator or scientist. Your students will learn about solar clocks, Earth’s place in the solar system, electricity and magnetism, the electromagnetic spectrum, and the Doppler effect. Visits are free, include all supplies for the activity, and can be customized for each teacher. Register at: http://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/epo/educators/ambassador.php
(13) LABORATORY EARTH: ONLINE SCIENCE COURSES FOR K-12 EDUCATORS
Laboratory Earth is a series of three credit graduate level courses designed for K-12 educators. The courses are offered online through the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. They are application and inquiry-based, module-based, and aim to improve Earth science content knowledge. Upcoming courses include:
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NRES 809 Laboratory Earth: Earth and Its Systems (Offered Fall Semesters)
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NRES 822 Laboratory Earth: Earths Changing Systems (Offered Summer 2009)
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NRES 898 Laboratory Earth: Earth & Geospatial Technology (Offered Summer 2009)
Apply online at http://www.unl.edu/gradstudies/. For more information contact Cindy Larson-Miller at clarsonmiller2@unl.edu.
*PREVIOUSLY BROADCAST
(14) TEN YEARS OF SCIENCE WITH CHANDRA SCIENCE CONFERENCE (Registration Deadline: Sept. 4) - The fifth in a series, this meeting is in Boston, Mass., Sept. 22-25, and will highlight key science results from the first 10 years of operation of the Chandra X-ray Observatory. For more information about the Chandra’s First Decade of Discovery Symposium, visit http://cxc.harvard.edu/symposium_2009/. Please e-mail any questions about this conference to tenyears@head.cfa.harvard.edu.
(15) MS PHD’S EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE INITIATIVE ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR COHORT VII (2009-2011) - The deadline to apply is Sept. 8, 2009. The Minorities Striving and Pursuing Higher Degrees of Success (MS PHD’S) in Earth System Science Initiative facilitates mentoring and networking activities for minority undergraduate and graduate Earth system science and engineering (ESSE) majors; and provides a supportive environment in which participants develop strategies and professional skills necessary to excel in ESSE fields. For details, student participation applications and mentor surveys, visit http://www.msphds.org.
(16) ASTRONOMY AND EARTH SCIENCE EDUCATOR WORKSHOPS - Millbrae, Calif., Sept. 12-13 as part of the 120th anniversary meeting of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Enjoy a weekend of space and Earth science workshops for formal (grades 4-12) and informal educators. No background in astronomy will be assumed or required. Only a limited number of spaces will be available, and, thanks to conference supporters, registration for each day of the workshop will be only $39. Thanks to the support of the Spitzer Space Telescope Science Center, a limited number of travel-support scholarships (of up to $300 per person) will be made available for educators. For more information, visit http://www.astrosociety.org/events/2009mtg/workshops.html.
(17) PUBLIC LECTURE ON TRACKING SEVERE STORMS (SEPT. 16)
Dr. Scott A. Braun, research meteorologist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, will speak about “Peering Into the Storm: NASA's Exploration of Hurricanes.” Free and open to the public. Mary Pickford Theater, James Madison Building, Library of Congress, Washington, DC. http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/events/events.html
(18) THE NASA ENDEAVOR SCIENCE TEACHING CERTIFICATE is accepting applications through Sept. 30, 2009. The program awards one-year fellowships each year to over 40 current and prospective teachers. Endeavor Fellows take five graduate courses in an innovative, LIVE (online) format from the comfort of their home or school and learn to apply research-based pedagogical strategies and cutting-edge STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) content to their classroom contexts. For more information, visit: http://www.us-satellite.net/endeavor/index.cfm.
(19) PUBLIC ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT - Through September, the "Capture the Colorful Cosmos" astrophotography project gives members of the public online access to the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics MicroObservatory robotic telescopes, to take and colorize their own images of stars and galaxies the same way that professional astronomers do. Participating museums, nature centers, libraries, and other informal education organizations will run public workshops that result in exhibitions of original visitor-created astrophotography displays. These images and displays will be featured not only at the participating institutions, but also on ASTC (Association of Science-Technology Centers), IYA (International Year of Astronomy), and NASA Web sites. Images must be submitted by Sept. 30. Visit http://www.universeforum.org/iyacosmos/ or email Cosmos@astc.org.
(20) EARTHS SCIENCE WEEK K-9 STUDENT CONTEST entries may be submitted now, and are due by the Friday of Earth Science Week, Oct. 16, 2009. The photography contest, open to all ages, focuses on “How Climate Shapes My World.” The visual arts contest, titled “The Climate Where I Live,” is open to students in grades K-5 and students in grades 6-9 are eligible to enter the essay contest: “Climate Connects.” To learn more about these contests, including how to enter, visit http://www.earthsciweek.org/contests/.
(21) PUBLIC LIBRARY TOUR: VISIONS OF THE UNIVERSE - Through March 2010, 40 public libraries are hosting “Visions of the Universe: Four Centuries of Discovery,” a traveling exhibition to mark the 2009 International Year of Astronomy. For more information: http://amazing-space.stsci.edu/visions/ or http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/ppo/programming/visions/visionsuniverse.cfm.
(22) SOLAR SYSTEM AMBASSADORS SUMMER EVENTS FOR ALL AGES. This summer is just starting to heat up with presentations by NASA Solar System Ambassadors at local venues - libraries, schools, state parks, museums and more - across the U.S. Themes include "Mars: Missions and Mysteries," “Galaxies, Nebulas, and Stars in the Universe,” “Astronomy at the Beach 2009” and more. For information on upcoming events, go to: http://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/ambassador/events.html
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(23) NEW VISION FOR NASA’S “EYES ON THE EARTH” VISUALIZATION TOOL
NASA’s “Eyes on the Earth 3D” offers new features that allow users to view the latest data from NASA satellites – in some cases, less than a few hours hold. “Eyes on the Earth 3D” displays the location of all of NASA’s currently operating Earth-observing missions in real time. These missions constantly monitor our planet's vital signs, such as sea level height, concentration of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere, global temperatures and extent of sea ice in the Arctic, to name but a few. New features include: the latest data maps of ozone, sea level or carbon dioxide; and a video tour introducing many of the site’s in-depth features and capabilities. Users can fly along with a satellite as it sweeps the Earth below in accelerated time; compare the size of each spacecraft to a car or a scientist; and blast through a global carbon dioxide map to uncover some of the world's most populous and polluting cities in the interactive game, "Metropolis." To launch “Eyes on the Earth 3D,” visit: http://climate.jpl.nasa.gov/Eyes/index.html.
(24) TEST YOUR INFRARED MEMORY—NEW GAME ON SPACE PLACE
No human can see infrared light. But the question is, can you think in infrared? Give your visual memory a workout with a few rounds of the Spitzer Infrared Concentration game at The Space Place. Click on tiles in a grid to find matches of striking and colorful infrared images of galaxies, nebulae, and renderings of other solar systems. Start with a 3x3 grid and work your way up to a 9x6 grid—if you can! All the images have short captions so you can better marvel at what you are seeing. Focus your brain at http://spaceplace.jpl.nasa.gov/en/kids/spitzer/concentration/.
(25) INVESTIGATE THE DEVELOPING EL NINO IN THE PACIFIC – NEW ARTICLE ON OCEAN MOTION WEB SITE
Scientists are monitoring changes in the Pacific Ocean that signal a developing El Niño. Will it be a large or small event? Learn to identify weather-related patterns in satellite data of ocean surface currents, ocean temperature and winds with special attention given to El Niño. Read about the mechanisms that trigger this ancient ocean phenomena. Find out about the complex interplay between the ocean and the atmosphere that creates global weather patterns that affect millions of people. Read more at http://www.oceanmotion.org.
(26) BLAST BACK TO SCHOOL WITH NASA EDUCATION RESOURCES
NASA offers educational resources for use with kindergarten through college, as well as resources for the informal education community. Many of NASA's educational products are quick and easy to find on the NASA Web site. Visit the NASA Blast Back to School page to find educational resources and NASA events taking place in your area. From the site, you can find information on bringing NASA into your classroom and school, current opportunities for educators (including workshops) and students, and resources for your classroom and students. For more information, visit the Blast Back to School page: http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/blast-back-to-school.html
(27) GLOBE STUDENT DATA MILESTONE REACHED
GLOBE students in 110 countries have now collected 20 million scientific measurements in atmosphere, hydrology, soil, land cover and phenology investigations, using many different instruments: from sun photometers to soil color books, from cloud charts to hand-made clinometers, from data loggers to chemical test kits. These measurements now reside in the online GLOBE database and are actively in use by students and scientists throughout the world for significant real-world research. Read more and access the data via: http://www.globe.gov/star/20_million09.
(28) NEW PROBLEMS IN SPACE MATH
In September, Space Math @ NASA will debut its latest installment of math problems for the 2009-2010 school year, spanning topics as diverse as global climate change to the latest images of Apollo landing sites from the LRO spacecraft. Now totaling 271 'one-page' problems, the Space Math @ NASA archive continues to collaborate with NASA missions to create innovative problems to supplement traditional non-math-based science education in Grades 3-9, with more challenging problems for grades 10-12 involving higher-math and calculus. The next problem release will be in January 2010. http://spacemath@gsfc.nasa.gov.
(29) EARTH OBSERVATORY FEATURE ARTICLES
Notes from the Field Blog: North Woods, Maine 2009
NASA's Dr. Jon Ranson is on an expedition in the forests of central Maine to validate recent radar and lidar measurements that will help create more accurate and sensitive sensors to better understand the vegetation of the Earth and to balance the carbon budget.
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/blogs/fromthefield/category/north-woods-maine-2009/?src=features-recent
Flying Steady: Mission Control Tunes Up Aqua’s Orbit
It takes work to maintain a satellite’s orbit. In the spring of 2009, mission controllers pilot NASA's Aqua satellite through a series of orbital maneuvers to correct the angle of the satellite’s flight path.
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/OrbitsManeuver/?src=features-recent
Notes from the Field Blog: Journey to Galapagos
Following in Darwin's footsteps, NASA oceanographer Gene Feldman explores the remarkable Galapagos Islands.
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/blogs/fromthefield/category/journey-to-galapagos/?src=features-recent
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(30) NASA to PROVIDE EDUCATION FUNDING FOR MUSEUMS AND PLANETARIUMS (Proposals Due Sept. 10)
NASA has announced a competitive funding opportunity for informal education that could result in the award of grants or cooperative agreements to several of the nation's science centers, museums and planetariums. Approximately $6 million is available for new awards. Proposals for the Competitive Program for Science Museums and Planetariums are expected to use NASA resources to enhance informal education programs related to space exploration, aeronautics, space science, Earth science or microgravity.
For detailed information about the funding opportunity, go to http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?method=init&solId={ABA44634-8D41-50FA-6BF3-9D9EA3D4D792}&path=open
(31) NASA OFFICE OF EDUCATION ACCEPTING PROPOSALS FOR K-12 COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS NOTICE (Proposals Due Sept. 25)
Pre-proposal teleconference on Sept. 10; submit questions by Sept. 6
The NASA Office of Education has released a Cooperative Agreement Notice for proposals for NASA K-12 Cooperative Agreements Notice (K-12 CAN). The K-12 CAN effort seeks proposals that incorporate innovative approaches for development and delivery of instructional materials, creates experiences that capture the interest of learners, and actively involves participants in relevant, NASA science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM, content applications. The instructional materials and experiences of the proposal should support secondary level teaching and learning, with a particular emphasis on high school education.
The full CAN and guidelines are available at: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?method=init&solId=%7b726E25A3-1B61-65E8-6D6C-82A987557CEB%7d&path=open.
Dial-in information for the Sept. 10 pre-proposal teleconference is on page 32 of the CAN.
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SCIENCE NEWS
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(32) NASA HEADS OUT TO SEA
August 21 – The agency best known for exploring the vast reaches of space has been exploring some of the vast beaches of Earth – and the results may help protect them. Read the full story to see what environmentally valuable information is being collected: http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/21aug_mobilebay.htm?list1110881.
(33) NASA RESEARCHER NETS FIRST MEASURE OF AFRICA’S COASTAL FORESTS
August 20 – NASA researchers finds that African mangrove forests are being destroyed by worsening pollution, encroaching real estate development, and deforestation. http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/view.php?id=39873
(34) CHANDRA TURNS TEN YEARS OLD
August 19 – Astronomers are celebrating 10 years of discovery by NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory. Read the full story to see Chandra’s greatest images of the Universe: http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/19aug_chandra10.htm?list1110881.
(35) MAJOR INSIGHT INTO EVOLUTION OF LIFE ON EARTH
August 19 – NASA funded research has round humans might not be walking on Earth today if not for the ancient fusing of two microscopic, single-celled organisms called prokaryotes. For more information about the NASA's Astrobiology Program and the institute, visit: http://astrobiology.nasa.gov.
(36) COSMIC RAY DETECTOR IN SEARCH OF ANTIMATTER GALAXIES
August 14 – A powerful cosmic ray detector to be installed on the International Space Station will search for antimatter galaxies and other exotic phenomena in the Universe. http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/14aug_ams.htm?list1110881
(37) SATELLITES UNLOCK SECRET TO NORTHERN INDIA’S VANISHING WATER
August 12 – Using NASA satellite data, scientists have found that groundwater levels in northern India have been declining by as much as one foot per year over the past decade. Researchers concluded the loss is almost entirely due to human activity. For more information, please visit: http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/india_water.html.
(38) METEORITE FOUND ON MARS YIELDS CLUES ABOUT PLANET’S PAST
August 10 – NASA's Mars Rover Opportunity is investigating a metallic meteorite the size of a large watermelon that is providing researchers more details about the Red Planet's environmental history. To see the image and obtain more information about the rovers, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/rovers.
(39) NASA MONITORS ACTIVITY INSIDE MOUNT ST. HELENS
August 7 – Scientists have placed high-tech "spiders" inside and around the mouth of Mount St. Helens, the site of the most active volcano in the United States. http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/view.php?id=39730
(40) KEPLER DETECTS AN EXOPLANET ATMOSPHERE
August 6 – NASA's new exoplanet-hunting Kepler space telescope has detected the atmosphere and changing phases of a known giant gas planet, demonstrating the telescope's extraordinary scientific capabilities. The observation demonstrates the extremely high precision of the measurements made by the telescope, even before its calibration and data analysis software were finished. For images, animations and more information about the Kepler mission, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/kepler.
(41) NASA’s SPITZER SEES THE COSMOS THROUGH “WARM” INFRARED EYES
August 5 – The NASA Spitzer Space Telescope is taking its first shots of the cosmos since warming up. The infrared telescope ran out of coolant May 15, 2009, more than five-and-one-half-years after launch. It has since warmed to a still-frosty 30 degrees Kelvin (about minus 406 degrees Fahrenheit). New images taken with two of Spitzer's infrared detector channels -- two that work at the new warmer temperature -- demonstrate the observatory remains a powerful tool for probing the dusty universe. For more information about Spitzer, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/spitzer.
(42) NEW NASA IMAGES INDICATE OBJECT HIT JUPITER
August 3 – An amateur astronomer, photograph Jupiter from his backyard discovered an impact mark on the giant planet. http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/03aug_whathitjupiter.htm
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CALENDAR
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Aug. 28 – Deadline to register for Afterschool Astronomy Training Workshop http://universe.nasa.gov/au/register.html
Aug. 30 – Top Stars entries due: contest for formal (K-12 and college) and informal educators sending in their best examples of using NASA’s Hubble for STEM education, http://topstars.strategies.org
Aug. 31-Sept. 4 – GLOBE World Climate Conference, http://www.globe.gov/fsl/pdf/GLOBE-WMO_announcementMay2009-5.pdf
Sept. 1 – Early Registration Deadline for Online Climate Courses, http:/ecourses.ncar.ucar.edu
Sept. 3 – Deadline to submit education talk to AGU 2009, http://www.agu.org/meetings/fm09/program/abstract_submissions.php
Sept. 8 – Deadline to Apply for MS PHD’s Earth System Science Initiative, http://www.msphds.org
Sept. 10-11 – Afterschool Astronomy Training Workshop http://universe.nasa.gov/au/register.html
Sept. 12-16 – Astronomical Society of the Pacific’s 120th Anniversary Celebration, http://m1e.net/c?75116197-W8ceafm7URt2k%404112591-aRmfbHA4MuBmM
Sept. 12-13 – Astronomy & Earth Science Workshops for formal (grades 4-12) and informal educators, http://www.astrosociety.org/events/2009mtg/workshops.html
Sept. 16 – NASA Public Lecture, Peering Into the Storm: NASA's Exploration of Hurricanes, http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/events/events.html
Sept. 22-25 – Ten Years of Science with Chandra Science Conference, http://cxc.harvard.edu/symposium_2009/
Sept. 30 – Entries due for Cassini Scientist for a Day, http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/scientistforaday/
Sept. 30 – Deadline to apply for NASA Endeavor Certificate, http://www.us-satellite.net/endeavor/index.cfm
Oct. 2 – Abstracts due for ISU 14th Annual Syposium, http://www.isunet.edu
Oct. 4-10 – World Space Week, http://www.worldspaceweek.org/index.html
Oct. 8 – From the Big Bang to the James Webb Telescope: An Evening with John C. Mather, Koshland Science Museum in Washington, DC, http://www.koshland-science-museum.org/events/upcomingevent.jsp?id=362
Oct. 13 – NASA Public Lecture: Dark Matter, http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/events/events.html
Oct. 16 – Entries due for Earth Science Week Student Contests, http://www.earthsciweek.org/contests/
Nov. 17 – NASA Public Lecture: Update on Polar Ice, http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/events/events.html
Nov. 30 – Round three Top Stars entries due, http://topstars.strategies.org/
Dec. 14-18 – American Geophysical Union (AGU) meeting, San Francisco
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
NASA Science Mission Directorate: Larry Cooper, Stephanie Stockman and Ming-Ying Wei.
Editor: Theresa Schwerin, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), theresa_schwerin@strategies.org
Writer: Catherine Fahey, IGES, catherine_fahey@strategies.org
Contributions from: Doris Daou, NASA Lunar Science Institute; Andrew Fraknoi, Astronomical Society of the Pacific; Karin Hauck, UC Berkeley Space Science Lab; Jan Heiderer, GLOBE; Anita Krishnamurthi, NASA GSFC; Cindy Larson-Miller, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Nancy Leon, NASA JPL; Jim Manning, Astronomical Society of the Pacific; Kirsten Meymaris, UCAR; Lois Ricciardi, Institute for Broadening Participation; Glen Schuster, U.S. Satellite Laboratory, Inc.; Denise Smith, Sara Tweedie, Ocean Motion; STScI; Aleya VanDoren, NASA GSFC and Rachel Zimmerman-Brachman, NASA JPL.
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