NASA Education

NES Web Seminar — Linear Equations: NASA CONNECT — Breaking Barriers
NASA Explorer Schools and the National Science Teachers Association are hosting a 90-minute live professional development Web seminar for educators on Nov. 21, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. EST. During this professional development session, participants will receive information about the applications of linear equations at NASA and learn how to implement the “Breaking Barriers” student activity. “Breaking Barriers” provides students with an opportunity to step into the shoes of a NASA engineer to design, build and test an X-1 balloon.
The featured activity provides many opportunities for incorporating national science, technology and mathematics learning standards into curricula as well as addressing middle school Next Generation Science Standards.
This seminar will be repeated on May 28, 2014.
For more information and to register online, visit
http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/NES4/webseminar22.aspx.
To learn more about the NASA Explorer Schools project, visit
http://explorerschools.nasa.gov.
Email any questions about this opportunity to the NASA Explorer Schools help desk at NA*******************@na**.gov.

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2014 NASA Student Launch
NASA’s Student Launch is accepting proposals from colleges and universities across the nation. Student Launch is a research-based, competitive and experiential exploration project that provides relevant and cost-effective research and development to support the Space Launch System, or SLS. The project involves teams in an eight-month commitment to design, build and fly payloads or vehicle components that support SLS on high-power rockets.
Proposals are due Nov. 22, 2013, by 9 a.m. EST.
For more information, visit
http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/programs/descriptions/Student_Launch.html.
Questions about this opportunity should be directed to Julie Clift atju***********@na**.gov.

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Discover Mapping with NASA
For over 50 years, NASA earth science has transformed the way we look at our planet. Celebrate Geography Awareness Week (Nov. 17-23) and discover a world of resources for real NASA images and data so you and your students can explore the most pressing Earth mysteries.
GeoWeek is an annual public awareness program established in 1987 to highlight geography as a discipline and as a part of everyday life. On Nov. 22, 2013, participate in a Spanish-language webinar and find out how ocean data collected from space can answer questions about processes on Earth.
Find details about these events, NASA educational resources, articles, blog posts and more related to how NASA contributes to the world of mapping on
http://climate.nasa.gov/esw2013.
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National Science Foundation — East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes

The National Science Foundation’s East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes, or EAPSI, program provides U.S. graduate students an opportunity to spend eight weeks (10 weeks for Japan) during the summer conducting research at one of seven host locations in East Asia and the Pacific: Australia, China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan. The program is a collaboration between the National Science Foundation and counterpart agencies in each host location.
EAPSI is open to graduate students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and are enrolled in a research-oriented master’s or doctoral program in science or engineering. Applicants must propose a research project in a field of science, engineering or STEM education supported by NSF, including Engineering; Computer and Information Science and Engineering; Mathematical and Physical Sciences; Biological Sciences; Geosciences; Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences; Education (STEM); and Multidisciplinary Research in these fields.
The National Science Foundation provides EAPSI Fellows with a $5,000 stipend and roundtrip airplane ticket to the host location. Our foreign counterparts provide in-country living expenses and accommodations (arrangements vary by host location).
The application submission deadline for summer 2014 institutes is Nov. 25, 2013.
For additional information, visit http://www.nsf.gov/eapsi.
Please email any questions about this opportunity to oi************@ns*.gov.
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“Animal Collections” IGES Art Contest
The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, or IGES, invites young scientists and artists to explore groups of animals. Students in grades 2-4 are encouraged to think about their favorite animal group and find the collective noun that describes it. Examples include an army of ants, a lounge of lizards, a parliament of owls and a school of sharks.
After completing their research, students should create a piece of artwork (no larger than 16″x20″) to show what they have learned. Winning artists will receive gift cards, framed color certificates and have their artwork showcased on the IGES website.
The entry deadline has been extended. Entries now must be postmarked byNov. 25, 2013.
For full details on the contest, resources on animal groups and to download an entry form, visit http://strategies.org/education/student-contests/art-contest/2013-animal-collections/.
Questions about this opportunity should be directed to Emily McLaughlin at
em**************@st********.org.
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NASA CubeSat Space Missions
NASA is now accepting proposals for the CubeSat Launch Initiative. Proposals must be submitted electronically by 4:30 p.m. EST Nov. 26, 2013.
From the submissions, NASA will select the best proposals by Feb. 7, 2014. Developers whose proposals are selected may have the opportunity to see their creations launched as an auxiliary payload on a mission between 2014 and 2017. NASA will not provide funding for the development of the small satellites and selection does not guarantee a launch opportunity.
CubeSats are a class of cube-shaped research spacecraft called nanosatellites. They are approximately 4 inches long, have a volume of about 1 quart and weigh less than 3 pounds.
CubeSat investigations should be consistent with NASA’s strategic plan and educational vision and goals. The research should address specific aspects of science, exploration, technology development, education or operations.
From the first four rounds of the NASA CubeSat Launch Initiative, 89 payloads from 25 U.S. states made the short list for launch opportunities in 2011 through 2016. Of the selected CubeSats, 12 satellites have already launched. Twenty-one Cubesats are scheduled for launch later this year.
For additional information on NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative program, visit
http://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/home/CubeSats_initiative.html.
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NES Web Seminar — Electromagnetic Spectrum: Remote Sensing Ices on Mars

As part of a series of electronic professional development experiences, the NASA Explorer Schools project and the National Science Teachers Association are hosting a 90-minute Web seminar on Nov. 26, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Learn how to use authentic NASA mission data to investigate the composition and distribution of ice in the high-latitude regions of Mars through analysis of visible light, infrared light and gamma rays. The seminar includes information about a unique student extension activity, where students access a free computer simulation illustrating how gamma rays are used to determine the chemical composition of Mars.
The featured activity provides many opportunities for incorporating national science, technology and mathematics learning standards into the curriculum as well as addressing high school Next Generation Science Standards.
This seminar will be repeated on March 20, 2014.
For more information and to register online, visit
http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/NES4/webseminar9.aspx.
To learn more about the NASA Explorer Schools project, visit
http://explorerschools.nasa.gov.
Email any questions about this opportunity to the NES Help Desk at NA*******************@ma**.gov.
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2013 National Community College Aerospace Scholars Program
National Community College Aerospace Scholars, or NCAS, is an interactive online learning experience featuring engineering career possibilities. It is highlighted by an onsite experience where selected students are encouraged to study mathematics, science, engineering or computer science by interacting with engineers at NASA.
The only cost to participants is a $30 registration fee. NASA covers travel, food and lodging. NCAS is open to community college students throughout the United States. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have access to the Internet.
Applications are due Nov. 26, 2013.
For more information and to apply online, visit http://ncas.aerospacescholars.org/.
Questions about this opportunity should be directed to js******@ma**.gov.
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2013-2014 National Student Solar Spectrograph Competition

The National Student Solar Spectrograph Competition is the Montana Space Grant Consortium’s Education Program for NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph, or IRIS, mission. IRIS will use spectrography and imaging in ultraviolet wavelengths to reveal the dynamics of the sun’s chromospheres and transition region.
This yearly competition is open to undergraduate interdisciplinary teams from colleges and universities across the U.S. Teams are challenged to design and build a working ground-based solar spectrograph and demonstrate the capabilities of the spectrograph as defined by their science goal. Typical teams have three to six students and must have a faculty advisor.
Both substantial scholarship prizes and travel prizes will be given in four categories: best design, best build, best science observations and best presentation of results. Teams may apply for funding of $2,000 per team for project materials. Priority for build funds will be given to minority-serving institutions, community colleges and institutions with less aerospace activity.
Applications for build awards and registrations are due on Nov. 30, 2013.
The competition will be held May 14-16, 2014, in Bozeman, Mont.
For more information and to register online, visit
http://www.spacegrant.montana.edu/IRIS/index.html.
Please email any questions about this competition to Randy Larimer atrl******@ec*.edu.
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NASA’s Global Precipitation Measurement Mission — “Unique Perspectives” Photo and Video Contest

NASA’s Global Precipitation Measurement, or GPM, mission announces the “Unique Perspectives” photo and video contest.
There are many ways to view precipitation. Rain gauges collect water as it hits the ground. Weather radars detect rain and snow as it falls through the air. Research aircraft can measure moisture while flying through clouds, and satellites like the GPM Core Observatory can view precipitation from space.
The GPM team wants to see your photos and videos of precipitation from unique perspectives. Check out weather from all angles — far away, up close, above, below and inside — the more creative and unique, the better.
All entrants must be 13 years old or older. The deadline for submitting photos and videos is Dec. 1, 2013.
For more information and instructions for submitting an entry, visit
http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/gpm-unique-perspectives-photo-and-video-contest/.
Questions about this contest should be emailed to Jacob Reed atja**********@na**.gov.
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NASA’s Digital Learning Network Event — Cassini Scientist for a Day

NASA’s Digital Learning Network is hosting an education event featuring the winners of the Cassini Scientist for a Day essay contest. The contest winners will be given the opportunity to ask questions of Cassini science team members.
Students from around the country were asked to tell scientists which of three targets they would look at with the Cassini spacecraft — Saturn, or one of two of its moons, Dione or Iapetus — and why. Scientists and education specialists selected the winning essays.
Join the webcast on Dec. 3, 2013, at 12:30 p.m. EST to see the winners and to become inspired to enter future contests.
For more information, visit http://dln.nasa.gov.
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National Science Foundation Webinar — Advanced Informal STEM Learning Solicitation
The Advancing Informal STEM Learning, or AISL, solicitation was released by the National Science Foundation on Sept. 30, 2013. The AISL program seeks to advance new approaches to and evidence-based understanding of the design and development of STEM learning in informal environments; provide multiple pathways for broadening access to and engagement in STEM learning experiences; advance innovative research on and assessment of STEM learning in informal environments; and develop understanding of deeper learning by participants.
AISL program officers are holding a “102 Digging Deeper into the Solicitation” webinar to provide background and more depth related to key elements of the solicitation. The webinar will also address commonly asked questions compiled from earlier 101 webinars. Notes from the 101 webinars are available online.
The AISL 102 webinar will take place on Dec. 3, 2013, at 3 p.m. EST.
For more information, visit
http://www.nsf.gov/events/event_summ.jsp?cntn_id=129439&WT.mc_id=USNSF_13&WT.mc_ev=click.
Questions about this opportunity should be directed to DR*****@ns*.gov.
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Green Strides Webinar Series

The U.S. Department of Education presents the Green Strides Webinar Series. These webinars feature experts from various federal programs. The webinars are free, and events are scheduled throughout the 2013-2014 school year.
The next webinar takes place on Dec. 4, 2013, at 3 p.m. EST.
For more information and registration, visit
http://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/green-strides/webinar.html.
Questions about this opportunity should be directed to
Gr******************@ed.gov.
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2014-15 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship
Applications are currently available for the 2014-15 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program. This program is open to current public or private elementary and secondary mathematics, technology, engineering and science classroom teachers with demonstrated excellence in teaching. Applications are due 5 p.m. EST Dec. 4, 2013.
Selected teachers spend a school year in Washington, D.C., sharing their expertise with policy makers and program managers. Einstein Fellows may serve with one of several government agency sponsors, such as the Department of Energy, NASA or the National Science Foundation.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens and be currently employed full time in a public or private elementary or secondary school or school district. Applicants must have been teaching in a STEM field full time for at least five of the last seven years.
For more information about this opportunity and to apply online, visit
http://science.energy.gov/wdts/einstein/.
Inquiries about the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program should be directed to Brian O’Donnell at sc*********@sc*****.gov.
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NES Web Seminar — Geometry: Space Math Problems — Solar Storms
As part of a series of electronic professional development experiences for educators, NASA Explorer Schools and the National Science Teachers Association are hosting a 90-minute live professional development Web seminar on Dec. 4, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. EST. Solar Storms provides teachers with a unique opportunity to have students use their knowledge of geometry and trigonometry to analyze NASA images of a solar tsunami. During this seminar, you will get an overview of the problem sets, preview a video about solar storms, suggestions for implementing best practices and learn about some extension activities.
Participants will receive an overview of the problem set and learn how the problems align to the Common Core State Standards.
This web seminar will be repeated on March 26, 2014.

For more information and to register online, visit
http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/NES4/webseminar18.aspx.
To learn more about the NASA Explorer Schools project, visithttp://explorerschools.nasa.gov.
Email any questions about this opportunity toNA*******************@ma**.gov.
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Reduced Gravity Education Flight Opportunity for Students at Minority Serving Institutions

NASA is offering undergraduate students from minority serving institutions an opportunity to test experiments in microgravity aboard NASA’s reduced gravity aircraft.
This opportunity is a partnership between the Minority University Research and Education Program and NASA’s Reduced Gravity Education Flight Program, which gives aspiring explorers a chance to propose, design and fabricate a reduced-gravity experiment. Selected teams will test and evaluate their experiments aboard NASA’s reduced-gravity airplane. The aircraft flies about 30 roller-coaster-like climbs and dips during experiment flights to produce periods of weightlessness and hypergravity ranging from 0 gravity, or g, to 2 g.
Proposals are due Dec. 4, 2013.
All applicants must be full-time undergraduate students, U.S. citizens and at least 18 years old.
For more information, visit https://microgravityuniversity.jsc.nasa.gov/murep/.
Questions about this opportunity should be emailed to js****************@na**.gov.
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NES Web Seminar –Temperature and Earth Climate: Modeling Hot and Cold Planets
As part of a series of electronic professional development experiences for educators, the NASA Explorer Schools project is hosting a 90-minute Web seminar on Dec. 5, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. EST. Use NASA mission data collected from NASA satellites to see how a planet’s climate is determined. Attend this session and discover how you can incorporate authentic NASA data into your classroom to provide a real-world connection for your students.
This is the only time this seminar will be offered during the current school year.
The featured activity provides an opportunity for incorporating national science, technology and mathematics learning standards into curricula as well as addressing high school Next Generation Science Standards.
For more information and to register online, visit
http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/NES4/webseminar29.aspx.
To learn more about the NASA Explorer Schools project, visit
http://explorerschools.nasa.gov.
Email any questions about this opportunity to NA*******************@ma**.gov.
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Free Smithsonian’s Stars Lecture Series
Curious about our nearest star, water on Mars, the first trip to Pluto and other wonders of the universe? Come to the Smithsonian’s Stars Lecture Series presented by Smithsonian researchers who are exploring the sun, the moon, planets, stars, galaxies and the universe. These speakers will share behind-the-scenes details about how their research is done and technologies that advance new discoveries. The lectures will be held at the Albert Einstein Planetarium at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
Each lecture begins at 5:15 p.m. ET and is followed by a question-and-answer session. A Discovery Station activity will take place at 4 p.m. prior to each lecture. Stay after the lecture to visit the museum’s observatory, weather permitting.

Dec. 7, 2013 — Oh, Swear Not by the Inconstant Sun
For 50 years, the Smithsonian monitored changes in the sun’s power. Secretary Charles Greeley Abbott asserted that solar variations could influence weather patterns and crop yields. What was he detecting? Dr. David DeVorkin will explore the inconstant nature of the sun.
Dec. 14, 2013 — First Mission to Pluto: The Origins and Voyage of New Horizons
In July 2015, New Horizons will become the first spacecraft to fly through the Pluto system. Dr. Michael Neufeld will discuss the goal of this mission and the promise of new science from it.
For more information about the Smithsonian’s Stars Lecture Series, visit
http://airandspace.si.edu/events/lectures/smithsonian-stars/.
Questions about this lecture series should be directed to the visitor service line at 202-633-1000.
The Smithsonian’s Stars Lecture Series is made possible by a grant from NASA.
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2014 RASC-AL Robo-Ops Competition

NASA and the National Institute of Aerospace announce the 2014 Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts-Academic Linkage Exploration Robo-Ops, also known as RASC-AL Robo-Ops, competition. This design competition is aimed at university-level engineering students.
The RASC-AL Robo-Ops contest challenges participants to build a planetary rover prototype and demonstrate its capabilities in field tests at NASA’s Johnson Space Center’s Rock Yard. Up to three members of the team (plus the faculty advisor) may travel to Johnson Space Center for the onsite testing. The remaining team members will stay behind at the local university to conduct mission control tasks. The prototype rovers will be tele-operated by the mission control team members and must negotiate a series of obstacles while accomplishing a variety of tasks that include sample collection and acquisition. The only information available to the rover controller to perform the required tasks will be information transmitted through onboard rover video camera(s) or other onboard sensors.
Teams must submit a project plan for their proposed project by Dec. 8, 2013. The RASC-AL Robo-Ops Steering Committee of NASA experts will evaluate the project plans and select as many as eight teams to compete against each other at the Rock Yard in June 2014.
The RASC-AL competition is open to full-time undergraduate or graduate students majoring in engineering or science at an accredited university. University design teams must include one faculty or industry advisor with a university affiliation and two or more undergraduate or graduate students. Multidisciplinary teams are encouraged.
For more information about this competition, visit
http://www.nianet.org/RoboOps.
If you have questions about this competition, please contact Stacy Dees atst********@ni****.org or Shelley Spears at sh************@ni****.org.
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MAVEN Workshop — Red Planet: Read, Write, Explore!
The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN, or MAVEN, mission will explore the planet’s upper atmosphere, ionosphere and interactions with the solar wind. Set to arrive at Mars in 2014, the mission will provide invaluable insights into the history of Mars’ atmosphere and climate, liquid water and planetary habitability.
Join the MAVEN education team for a one-day workshop on the MAVEN mission, and the accompanying elementary program, Red Planet: Read, Write, Explore! This program features six standards-based lessons that combine science, literacy and art to help students understand planetary habitability and the MAVEN mission. The workshop will introduce participants to these lessons and concepts. The workshop will also have a session devoted to Spanish speaking English Language Learner and English as a Second Language students. Attendees will receive free classroom materials.
The workshop will take place on Jan. 25, 2014, in Houston, Texas. Registration is $15 and includes a continental breakfast and lunch. Applications are due Jan. 17, 2014, but space is limited so interested educators are encouraged to apply early.
For more information about the workshop and to apply online, visit
http://lasp.colorado.edu/home/maven/education-outreach/for-educators/red-planet/houston-workshop/.
Please email any questions about this opportunity toep*****@la**.edu.
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2014 NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars Program
The NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars, or CAS, is accepting applications for its spring 2014 workshop. CAS is an interactive online learning experience for community college students in Texas.
CAS students participate in graded Web-based modules. Based on grades and completed applications, qualified students are chosen to attend a three-day experience at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston in spring 2014.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens, residents of Texas and have access to the Internet.
Applications are due Jan. 21, 2014.
For more information and to apply online, visit
http://cas.aerospacescholars.org/.
Questions about this opportunity should be directed to js********@ma**.gov.
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2014 NASA Student Airborne Research Program
The NASA Airborne Science Program invites highly motivated undergraduate students currently in their junior year to apply for the NASA Student Airborne Research Program, also known as SARP, 2014. The program provides students with hands-on research experience in all aspects of a major scientific campaign, from detailed planning on how to achieve mission objectives to formal presentation of results and conclusions to peers and others. Students will assist in the operation of airborne instruments onboard the NASA DC-8 aircraft.
The program takes place in summer 2014. Preparatory information and data analysis will take place at the University of California, Irvine. Instrument and flight preparations, and the research flights themselves, will occur at NASA’s Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif.
Successful applicants will be awarded a stipend and meals allowance for eight weeks of participation in the program. Round-trip travel to California, housing and transportation will be provided.
The deadline for applications is Feb. 7, 2014.
For more information and to download the program application, visit
http://www.nserc.und.edu/sarp/sarp-2014.
Specific questions about the program should be directed to
SA******@ns***.edu.
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NASA Exploration Design Challenge
Students from Kindergarten through 12th grade will have the opportunity to play a unique role in the future of human spaceflight through participation in NASA’s Exploration Design Challenge, or EDC. NASA EDC invites students around the world to think and act like scientists in order to overcome one of the major hurdles of deep space long-duration exploration — the dangers associated with space radiation. Students taking part in the challenge will discover how to plan and design improved radiation shielding aboard the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, currently being developed by NASA, Lockheed Martin and other partners to carry astronauts to space, venturing farther than humans have ever gone before.
Through a series of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, engagement activities, students in grades K-8 will analyze different materials that simulate space radiation shielding and recommend materials that best block radiation and protect astronauts. Students in grades 9-12 will think and act like engineers as they apply what they learn to design shielding to protect a sensor on the Orion crew module from space radiation. After a review of the design solutions submitted by teams in the grades 9-12 challenge, five finalist teams will be selected and matched with a mentor from NASA to test their designs in a virtual simulator. The winning team will build a prototype radiation shield that will be analyzed and submitted to Lockheed Martin for flight certification on the inaugural flight of the Orion Exploration Flight Test, or EFT-1.
The five U.S. finalist teams from the grades 9-12 challenge will be invited to attend the EFT-1 launch, currently scheduled for November 2014. The names of all students, grades K-12, participating in the NASA EDC will fly aboard the spacecraft as honorary virtual crewmembers for Orion’s first flight. The deadline to register students for the virtual crew is July 31, 2014.
For more information and to register online, visit
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/spacelife/explorationdesign/overview/index.html.
For more information about Orion, visit http://www.nasa.gov/orion.
Email any questions about this opportunity to na*****@ni****.org.
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New NASA eClips Videos Segments on the SMAP Mission Available

This month, NASA eClips™ presents:
— Our World: What is Soil? (Grades K-5)
Learn about soil and how different kinds of soil hold moisture. See how NASA plans to use measurements from the Soil Moisture Active Passive Mission, or SMAP, to make our world a better place to live.
— Real World: What is Soil Moisture? (Grades 6-8)
What is the connection between water, soil and carbon cycles? The answer may be in the soil beneath your feet. See how NASA plans to measure soil moisture from space with the Soil Moisture Active Passive Mission, or SMAP. Learn to calculate soil moisture in your own backyard and discover the real world applications for this data.
— Launchpad: Space Age Technologies Measure Soil (Grades 9-12)
Learn how NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive Mission, or SMAP, will use new technologies to help answer questions raised in the National Research Councils’ Decadal Survey. See what kind of modeling and forecasting applications the data from this mission will provide as it measures the soil moisture that cools Earth’s surface and provides water to the atmosphere and plants.