Jacques van Oene
July 22nd 05, 12:15 PM
Michael Mewhinney
NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.
Phone: 650/604-3937
E-mail:
July 21, 2005
RELEASE: 05_41AR
NASA Quest Challenges Students to Study Mars on Earth
As NASA turns its attention to preparing for human travel to the Moon and
Mars, there are many hurdles to overcome. This fall, the NASA Exploration
Systems Mission Directorate and NASA Quest will open the school year with a
challenge to students, primarily in grades 5-8, to work with NASA scientists
to design solutions to these obstacles.
During October and November, students are invited to join NASA researchers
Jennifer Heldmann, William J. Clancey and Chris McKay and other leading
scientists as they embark on a Mars analog study at California's Lassen
Volcanic National Park. By studying snowfields in the park, scientists hope
to learn more about the development and use of technologies needed to help
understand and explore the moon and Mars. They will also learn about polar
ice caps and the possible life that could exist there.
"Live interactive Webcasts and contact with real NASA scientists on the job
provide the opportunity for students to fully experience the thrill of
participating in actual research while developing their own solutions to
problems NASA is working on," said Mark Leon, education director at NASA
Ames Research Center, located in California's Silicon Valley. "We hope this
experience will inspire and encourage the study of math, science and
engineering, as students become a part of the NASA team exploring the
universe," he added.
There is no place on Earth exactly like Mars; however, some locations share
similar characteristics and are considered as analogs to study Mars. For
example, scientists can study the biology, geology, and meteorology of
places like Lassen Volcanic National Park to learn more about past and
present environments on Mars and how to prepare for human and robotic space
missions.
This NASA Quest Challenge features Mars analog research being conducted to
help develop and test technologies that some day will enable scientists to
conduct research on lunar and planetary surfaces. NASA Quest challenges
typically span six to eight weeks. The activities are designed around
problem-based learning and designed to assist teachers by incorporating the
content into their educational standard's requirements.
On July 29, the principal scientists will introduce themselves and their
work to park staff and visitors at a campfire presentation at Lassen
Volcanic National Park. As the scientists determine where this fall's
research will take place, journals of the trip will be posted online. During
the month of September, a live introductory Webcast will take place from the
park, so students around the world can observe NASA scientists at work.
The NASA Quest website contains a summer reading list for teachers and
students to acquaint themselves with the background material.
For information about the NASA Quest Challenge on the Internet, visit:
http://quest.nasa.gov/challenges/marsanalog
For information about the NASA Exploration Systems Mission Directorate,
please visit:
http://exploration.nasa.gov/
For information about NASA Quest, please visit:
http://quest.nasa.gov
For information about Lassen Volcanic National Park, please visit:
http://www.nps.gov/lavo/
For information about NASA and agency programs on the Internet, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov
--
--------------
Jacques :-)
www.spacepatches.info
NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.
Phone: 650/604-3937
E-mail:
July 21, 2005
RELEASE: 05_41AR
NASA Quest Challenges Students to Study Mars on Earth
As NASA turns its attention to preparing for human travel to the Moon and
Mars, there are many hurdles to overcome. This fall, the NASA Exploration
Systems Mission Directorate and NASA Quest will open the school year with a
challenge to students, primarily in grades 5-8, to work with NASA scientists
to design solutions to these obstacles.
During October and November, students are invited to join NASA researchers
Jennifer Heldmann, William J. Clancey and Chris McKay and other leading
scientists as they embark on a Mars analog study at California's Lassen
Volcanic National Park. By studying snowfields in the park, scientists hope
to learn more about the development and use of technologies needed to help
understand and explore the moon and Mars. They will also learn about polar
ice caps and the possible life that could exist there.
"Live interactive Webcasts and contact with real NASA scientists on the job
provide the opportunity for students to fully experience the thrill of
participating in actual research while developing their own solutions to
problems NASA is working on," said Mark Leon, education director at NASA
Ames Research Center, located in California's Silicon Valley. "We hope this
experience will inspire and encourage the study of math, science and
engineering, as students become a part of the NASA team exploring the
universe," he added.
There is no place on Earth exactly like Mars; however, some locations share
similar characteristics and are considered as analogs to study Mars. For
example, scientists can study the biology, geology, and meteorology of
places like Lassen Volcanic National Park to learn more about past and
present environments on Mars and how to prepare for human and robotic space
missions.
This NASA Quest Challenge features Mars analog research being conducted to
help develop and test technologies that some day will enable scientists to
conduct research on lunar and planetary surfaces. NASA Quest challenges
typically span six to eight weeks. The activities are designed around
problem-based learning and designed to assist teachers by incorporating the
content into their educational standard's requirements.
On July 29, the principal scientists will introduce themselves and their
work to park staff and visitors at a campfire presentation at Lassen
Volcanic National Park. As the scientists determine where this fall's
research will take place, journals of the trip will be posted online. During
the month of September, a live introductory Webcast will take place from the
park, so students around the world can observe NASA scientists at work.
The NASA Quest website contains a summer reading list for teachers and
students to acquaint themselves with the background material.
For information about the NASA Quest Challenge on the Internet, visit:
http://quest.nasa.gov/challenges/marsanalog
For information about the NASA Exploration Systems Mission Directorate,
please visit:
http://exploration.nasa.gov/
For information about NASA Quest, please visit:
http://quest.nasa.gov
For information about Lassen Volcanic National Park, please visit:
http://www.nps.gov/lavo/
For information about NASA and agency programs on the Internet, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov
--
--------------
Jacques :-)
www.spacepatches.info