NASA Earth & Space Science Education News

Terra and Landsat Outreach Specialist – NASA GSFC

smdnews — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:55:33 +0000

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.

Year of the Solar System – Resources for Far-Ranging Robots

smdnews — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:45:20 +0000

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 … Continue reading →

Acknowledgements

smdnews — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:46:26 +0000

NASA Science Mission Directorate: Stephanie Stockman and Jim Lochner

Editors: Theresa Schwerin and Brandi Bernoskie, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES).

Writer: Morgan Woroner, IGES.

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February 2012

smdnews — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:45:35 +0000

A monthly broadcast including upcoming educational programs, events, opportunities, and the latest resources from NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.

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Coma Clusters Activity Using Hubble Space Telescope Data – Grades 9-12

smdnews — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:17:19 +0000

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

Mysteries of the Sun – Grades 6-8

smdnews — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:10:31 +0000

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’s Framing Camera Interactive

smdnews — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:56:53 +0000

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

Eclipse Watch Website

smdnews — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:58:43 +0000

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. This is a great opportunity to increase public appreciation for astronomy and space science.
http://www.eclipse-watch.com

“Go with the Flow” Game on NASA’s Space Place

smdnews — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:36:09 +0000

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

Stars on Sundays 2012 (Feb. 5, March 4, April 1, May 6)

smdnews — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:19:11 +0000

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.