Sigma Space is looking for an outreach specialist to lead the TERRA mission education and public outreach (EPO) effort, and to participate as part of a team performing EPO activities for the LANDSAT and Landsat Data Continuity missions (LDCM). The work is part of the Hydrospheric and Biospheric Sciences (HBS) support contract and supports NASA’s Science and Engineering Directorate based at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, MD. EPO duties will include:
- Designing, developing, coordinating, and executing education and science outreach efforts in coordination with HBSL research and management personnel, and intended outreach audiences.
- Designing and developing mission-specific EPO products targeted for NASA management, news media, scientists, students, educators, and the general public.
- Representing Terra and Landsat/LDCM missions at public events
- Conducting or co-presenting workshops for classrooms and informal educators based on existing Landsat and/or Terra materials
In addition to the above duties, there are mission specific duties as well. Qualified candidates will have a B.S. or B.A. degree from an accredited university in Earth systems science, science education or history of science, plus three years experience engaging the public in formal and informal education communities in Earth science. Strong collaboration and project planning skills are required, along with excellent written and oral communication skills. Knowledge of the needs of formal educators in regards to Earth science materials, as well as knowledge of exhibit design and informal education is highly desirable.
For a full list of qualifications and to apply, please visit http://bit.ly/wu5zT6.
February’s topic for the Year of the Solar System is “Far-Ranging Robots.” Working under harsh conditions, robotic missions have faced extremes on other worlds. Scientists and engineers continue to find creative solutions to the challenges presented by the conditions in our solar system. To find events and resources related to robotic missions, visit http://1.usa.gov/wVbHVs.
In 2006, the Hubble Space Telescope pointed its gaze at a nearby collection of galaxies called the Coma Cluster. Using the unprecedented images that the HST provided, astronomers gained fascinating insights into the evolution of galaxies in dense galactic neighborhoods. In this activity, students will first learn the basics of galaxy classification and grouping, then they will use actual HST images to discover the ‘morphology-density effect’ and make hypotheses about its causes.
http://bit.ly/yeltbd
This unique NASA resource features web, print, and companion video materials that introduce Heliophysics – the study of the Sun’s influence throughout the solar system and, in particular, its connection to the Earth. Learn about topics such as space weather, solar variability, the heliosphere, Earth’s magnetosphere, and the Earth’s upper atmosphere. Come and explore our Sun!
http://bit.ly/w51KhW
Dawn, part of NASA’s Discovery Program, is providing new information on the two largest protoplanets in our solar system, Ceres and Vesta. Both of these protoplanets reside in the extensive zone between Mars and Jupiter, together with many other smaller bodies, known as the asteroid belt. This interactive explains the nature of the data gathered by Dawn’s framing camera, and allows users to experiment with images viewed through its red, green and blue filters.
http://bit.ly/xxPGoW
Plan ahead for the May 20 solar eclipse and the June 5 transit of Venus! Dr. Doug Duncan of the University of Colorado has established a website that contains information to help scientists prepare their communities to watch these interesting events safely. There are two public service videos, and suggestions on how science or other clubs can plan events, as well as get safe eclipse-watching glasses. This is a great opportunity to increase public appreciation for astronomy and space science.
http://www.eclipse-watch.com
Why is it easier to float on the ocean than on a lake? It’s because salty water is denser than fresh water. Whenever ocean water and fresh water meet, the saltier water sinks. Saltiness, or salinity, has a profound effect on ocean currents, too. Of course, so does heat, since warm water is less dense than cold water. These two simple facts, so important to understanding Earth’s climate, are demonstrated in this new game. Use salt and heat tools to create currents that will carry you to treasure.
http://1.usa.gov/xmVFXD
The Hofstra University Department of Physics and Astronomy invites kids of all ages to view the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Venus, star clusters, nebulae, and double stars with telescopes from the Hofstra Observatory in Uniondale, N.Y. Each program begins with a short lecture.
- Feb. 5, 6-8pm: Super Bowl Star Party
- March 4, 6-8pm
- April 1, 8-10pm
- May 6, 8-10pm
For more information, please visit http://bit.ly/yI1uip.
(Apply by Feb. 10; Course Feb. 15-March 14)
The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) is offering a new online course for educators focused on its successful science program – PB-501 Project BudBurst: Introduction to Plant Phenology and Climate Change. This course is free to K-12 educators and is suited for both formal and informal educational settings. This online course provides all needed information to implement Project BudBurst in the classroom and engage your students in a national program by learning more about plants and climate change at a local level. Participants will be provided with detailed information on Project BudBurst and how to participate, including instructions on how to select plants and make observations, suggestions for structuring the classroom involvement, and classroom activities to engage students in making observations and analyzing data, as well as forming a community with other K-12 educators within Project BudBurst.
Participants in this course can sign up for optional graduate level continuing education credits from Colorado School of Mines. The fee for two credits is $90. For more information and to apply, please visit http://bit.ly/AA6t9v.
Calling all Earthlings! Take a few minutes to get involved in the GLOBE at Night campaign to preserve dark skies! GLOBE at Night is a citizen-science campaign open to people all over the world to raise awareness of the impact of light pollution by inviting citizen scientists to measure their night sky brightness and report their observations to a website from a computer or smart phone. Light pollution threatens not only our “right to starlight,” but can affect energy consumption, wildlife and health. Please join GLOBE to participate in the 2012 campaign an hour after sunset until about 10pm during the following dates:
- Feb. 12-21
- March 13-22
- April 11-20
For more information and resources, please visit http://www.globeatnight.org.
