{"id":158881,"date":"2014-11-13T16:51:58","date_gmt":"2014-11-13T21:51:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.euvolution.com\/futurist-transhuman-news-blog\/uncategorized\/nasa-education-express-message-nov-13-2014.php"},"modified":"2014-11-13T16:51:58","modified_gmt":"2014-11-13T21:51:58","slug":"nasa-education-express-message-nov-13-2014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.euvolution.com\/futurist-transhuman-news-blog\/nasa\/nasa-education-express-message-nov-13-2014.php","title":{"rendered":"NASA Education Express Message &#8212; Nov. 13, 2014"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><p>    Space Shuttle Thermal    Protective Tiles Available for Educational    UseNASA invites eligible U.S. educational    institutions and museums to request space shuttle thermal    protective tiles and other special items offered on a    first-come, first-served basis while quantities last.    Organizations previously allocated thermal protective tiles may    request an additional three tiles.There will be a nominal shipping fee that    must be paid online with a credit card. To make a request for    special items online, visithttp:\/\/gsaxcess.gov\/htm\/nasa\/userguide\/Special_Item_Request_Procedure.pdf.Questions    about this opportunity should be directed <a href=\"mailto:toGSAXcessHelp@gsa.gov\">toGSAXcessHelp@gsa.gov<\/a>.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________  <\/p>\n<p>    Free Education Webinars From NASA Educator Professional    DevelopmentNASA Educator Professional Development is    presenting a series of free webinars open to all educators.    Join NASA education specialists to learn about activities,    lesson plans, educator guides and resources to bring NASA into    your classroom.MAVEN: Red Planet -- Read, Write,    Explore!    Audience:Pre-service and In-service, Home School    and Informal Educators of Grades 3-5Event Date:Nov. 13,    2014, at 5:30 p.m. ESTParticipants will learn about the Mars    Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN, or MAVEN, mission to study    the atmosphere of Mars and will receive a set of educational    activities called Red Planet: Read, Write, Explore! The    resources include six standards-based science lessons    incorporating reading, writing and art activities for grades    3-5.NASA's New Horizon's Mission: Pluto    up Close and Personal    Audience:Pre-service and In-service, Home School    and Informal Educators of Grades 6-8Event Date:Nov. 19,    2014, at 4:30 p.m. ESTParticipants will explore the mystery of    Pluto and will learn exciting ways to bring the fascination of    Pluto into the classroom while also integrating the Next    Generation Science Standards into    curriculum.For    more information about these webinars and to register online,    visithttps:\/\/paragon-tec.adobeconnect.com\/admin\/show-event-catalog.Questions    about this series of webinars should be directed to Clarence    Jones <a href=\"mailto:atClarence.F.Jones@NASA.gov\">atClarence.F.Jones@NASA.gov<\/a>.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________2015    NASA Space Technology Research    FellowshipsNASA is seeking applications from U.S.    graduate students for the agency's Space Technology Research    Fellowships. The research grants, worth as much as $74,000 per    year, will coincide with the start of the 2015 fall academic    term.Applications will be accepted from students    pursuing or planning to pursue master's or doctorate degrees in    relevant space technology disciplines at accredited U.S.    universities. The grants will sponsor U.S. graduate student    researchers who show significant potential to contribute to    NASA's strategic space technology objectives through their    studies. To date, NASA has awarded grants to 247 student    researchers from 79 universities located in 35 states and one    U.S. territory.Sponsored by NASA's Space Technology Mission    Directorate, the fellowships are improving America's    technological competitiveness by providing the nation with a    pipeline of innovative space technologies.The deadline for submitting applications    isNov. 13, 2014.For more information, visithttp:\/\/tinyurl.com\/oemporz.Please    email any questions about this opportunity <a href=\"mailto:tohq-nstrf-call@mail.nasa.gov\">tohq-nstrf-call@mail.nasa.gov<\/a>.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________National    Science Foundation's East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes    Fellowship ProgramThe National Science Foundation, or NSF, is    accepting applications for its East Asia and Pacific Summer    Institutes, or EAPSI, Fellowship Program. This program provides    U.S. graduate students in science and engineering with 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. Host locations are Australia,    China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan. The    program is a collaboration between NSF 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    science, technology, engineering or mathematics field supported    by NSF. Applicants identify and contact host researchers on    their own prior to submitting their EAPSI proposals. Lists of    prospective host institutions are available at the opportunity    website.NSF provides EAPSI Fellows with a $5,000    stipend and roundtrip airplane ticket to the host location. The    program's foreign counterparts provide in-country living    expenses and accommodations (arrangements vary by host    location).The application submission deadline for    summer 2015 isNov. 13,    2014.For additional information about the    program, including location-specific handbooks, a How to Apply    guide and helpful tips for applicants, visitwww.nsf.gov\/eapsi.Questions    about this fellowship opportunity should be directed    <a href=\"mailto:tooiia-ise-eapsi@nsf.gov\">tooiia-ise-eapsi@nsf.gov<\/a>.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________2015    NASA High-Altitude Student Platform    OpportunityNASA is accepting applications from students    at U.S. colleges and universities who want to send experiments    to the edge of space on a high-flying scientific    balloon.The annual NASA project provides near-space    access for 12 undergraduate and graduate student experiments to    be carried by a NASA high-altitude research balloon. The    flights typically last 15 to 20 hours and reach an altitude of    23 miles. Experiments may include compact satellites or    prototypes.The experiments are flown aboard the    High-Altitude Student Platform, or HASP, a balloon-born    instrument stack launched from the Columbia Scientific Balloon    Facility's remote site in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. The goals of    the project are to provide a space test platform to encourage    student research and stimulate the development of student    satellite payloads and other space-engineering    products.HASP seeks to enhance the technical skills    and research abilities of students in critical science,    technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines. The    project is a joint effort between NASA and the Louisiana Space    Consortium. The Science Missions Directorate Astrophysics    division manages the NASA scientific balloon program; Wallops    Flight Facility in Virginia oversees Balloon Flight    Operations.A    question-and-answer teleconference will take place    onNov. 14, 2014, at 11 a.m. EST. Groups    who have previously flown experiments on HASP, as well as new    organizations, are encouraged to attend. To participate, dial    in to 1-866-717-2684 a few minutes prior to conference time.    When requested, enter the conference ID number 6879021 followed    by the # key.The deadline for applications    isDec. 19, 2014.For application information and technical    details about the program, visithttp:\/\/laspace.lsu.edu\/hasp.Questions    about the High-Altitude Student Platform opportunity should be    directed to T. Gregory Guzik <a href=\"mailto:atguzik@phunds.phys.lsu.edu\">atguzik@phunds.phys.lsu.edu<\/a>.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________Student    Spaceflight Experiments Program -- Mission 8 to the    International Space StationThe National Center for Earth and Space    Science Education and the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Space    Education, in partnership with NanoRacks LLC, announce an    authentic science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or    STEM, opportunity for school districts across the U.S. and    space station partner nations. The newest flight opportunity,    Mission 8 to the International Space Station, or ISS, gives    students across a community the ability to design and propose    real experiments to fly in low-Earth orbit on the ISS. This    opportunity is part of the Student Spaceflight Experiments    Program, or SSEP.Each participating community will receive a    real microgravity research minilaboratory capable of supporting    a single microgravity experiment and all launch services to fly    the minilab to the space station in fall 2015 and return it to    Earth. An experiment design competition in each community --    engaging typically 300+ students -- allows student teams to    design and proposerealexperiments vying    for their communitys reserved minilab. Content resources for    teachers and students support foundational instruction on    science in microgravity and experimental design. Additional    SSEP programming leverages the experiment design competition to    engage the community, embracing a learning community model for    STEM education.This competition is open to students in    grades 5-12 and college. Informal education groups and    organizations are also encouraged to participate. Interested    communities must inquire about the program no later    thanNov. 15, 2014. The National Center    for Earth and Space Science Education is available to help    interested communities in the U.S. secure the needed    funding.To    learn more about this opportunity, visit the SSEP Mission 8 to    International Space Station National Announcement of    Opportunity athttp:\/\/ssep.ncesse.org\/2014\/10\/new-flight-opportunity-for-school-districts-announcing-student-spaceflight-experiments-program-ssep-mission-8-to-the-international-space-station-starting-february-2015\/.SSEP    is enabled through a strategic partnership with NanoRacks LLC    working with NASA under a Space Act Agreement as part of the    utilization of the International Space Station as a national    laboratory. The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space    (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.iss-casis.org\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">http:\/\/www.iss-casis.org\/<\/a>) is a    national partner on SSEP. To view a list of all SSEP national    partners, visithttp:\/\/ssep.ncesse.org\/national-partners\/.If    you have any questions about this opportunity, please email    SSEP National Program Director Jeff Goldstein <a href=\"mailto:atjeffgoldstein@ncesse.org\">atjeffgoldstein@ncesse.org<\/a>.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________Virginia    Space Grant Consortium's STEM Takes Flight    ProgramVirginias community college students    pursuing studies in science, technology, engineering or    mathematics, also known as STEM, fields have access to new    scholarships, research experiences, internships and courses    thanks to a two-year NASA grant to the Virginia Space Grant    Consortium. Community College faculty in STEM fields will have    access to professional development at    NASA.The Consortiums new program, STEM Takes    Flight at Virginias Community Colleges, provides $5,000    mentored scholarships, paid industry internships, NASA research    experiences and new courses to foster STEM career awareness and    workplace skills. The goal is community college retention in    STEM academic tracks through graduation with an associates    degree or transfer to a four-year    institution.Application deadlines are as early    asNov. 17, 2014.For more information, visitwww.vsgc.odu.edu\/stemtakesflight.Please    email any questions about this program <a href=\"mailto:tovsgc@odu.edu\">tovsgc@odu.edu<\/a>.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________Free    Smithsonian's \"STEM in 30\" Webcast Series  <\/p>\n<p>    The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum is presenting a    series of free education webcast events called \"STEM in 30.\"    This new program consists of live, fast-paced 30-minute    webcasts designed to increase interest and engagement in    science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, for    students. To enhance the learning experience, students can get    involved with the content through the interactive \"Cover It    Live\" feature, including poll questions and classroom    activities. The webcasts will be available live on the National    Air and Space Museum website as well as on NASA TV, and will be    archived for on-demand viewing.Vacuum-Packed Space Food: It's    What's for DinnerNov. 19, 2014, at 11 a.m.    and 1 p.m. ESTFrom John Glenn's food in a tube to the    shuttle astronauts' candy-coated chocolates, space food has    come a long way. In this fast-paced webcast designed for    students in sixth to eighth grades, students will learn about    the history of space food, how food is prepared and packaged    for space, and the changes in nutrition over    time.\"STEM in 30\" webcasts are online learning    experiences, but are filmed in front of a live audience. If you    are interested in bringing your school group to a live filming    of \"STEM in 30,\" please contact Myra Banks-Scott    <a href=\"mailto:atbanksscottm@si.edu.For\">atbanksscottm@si.edu.For<\/a>    more information about the Smithsonian's \"STEM in 30\" Webcast    Series, visithttp:\/\/airandspace.si.edu\/explore-and-learn\/stem-in-30\/.Questions    about this series should be directed to the visitor service    line at 202-633-2214.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________NASA's    ESTEEM \"Ask US\" Online Professional Development    SeriesNASA's Minority University Research and    Education Program, or MUREP, is sponsoring a series of Google    Plus Hangout professional development events for K-12    educators. The Earth Systems, Technology and Energy Education    for MUREP, or ESTEEM, team will lead the monthly sessions that    will cover a variety of climate topics. This month's webinar    topic is:Change Over Time: Investigate    Climate Change Impacts in the Southeast U.S. -- Nov. 20, 2014,    at 4 p.m. ESTThe National Climate Assessment, released in    May of 2014, summarizes the impacts of climate change on the    United States, touching on many disciplines: earth science,    biology, human health, engineering, technology, economics and    policy. Explore the document with Dr. Fred Lipschultz from the    United States Global Change Research Project, and then learn    about educator resources that will enable you to bring this    topic into classroom lessons, engage students in data    collection and analysis, and share visualizations and citizen    science projects. The focus this month will be on the Southeast    and Caribbean region. Watch for additional regions of the U.S.    to be featured in upcoming Ask US    sessions.Certificates    of professional development hours are available upon    request.For more information on this event and    upcoming webinar sessions, visithttps:\/\/nice.larc.nasa.gov\/asknice\/.    Questions about this series should be sent to Bonnie Murray    <a href=\"mailto:atbonnie.murray@nasa.gov\">atbonnie.murray@nasa.gov<\/a>.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________Museum    Alliance Webcast: Beyond Earth Orbit With the Orion    SpacecraftThe Orion team invites home school families,    museums and schools to participate in an interactive webcast    featuring Lockheed Martin engineer Joe LeBlanc. In this    interactive webcast onNov. 20, 2014, at 4 p.m.    EST, LeBlanc will broadcast live from the Space    Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center in    Houston. He will share NASAs efforts in deep space exploration    and the importance of Orions first flight.You may view the webcast as an individual at    your personal computer or set up audio visual equipment in your    museum or school for a large group to    participate.LeBlanc will take questions from a live    audience at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville,    Alabama, as well as from webcast viewers nationwide. Questions    may be submitted before or during the event <a href=\"mailto:tojsc-orion-outreach@mail.nasa.gov.To\">tojsc-orion-outreach@mail.nasa.gov.To<\/a>    view the webcast, visithttp:\/\/www.ustream.tv\/channel\/nasa-jsc.To    learn more about the upcoming Orion mission and to learn how    you can plan an event to celebrate the launch,    visitwww.ExploreDeepSpace.com.Additional    Orion resources may be found athttp:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/exploration\/systems\/mpcv\/andhttps:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/nasaorion.After    the webcast, presentation materials will be posted on the    Museum Alliance member site athttps:\/\/informal.jpl.nasa.gov\/museum\/Conversations.    A downloadable copy of the webcast and transcript will be    posted a week or so later at the same location. Username and    password are required to access the member    site.To    learn how to become a Museum Alliance member,    visithttps:\/\/informal.jpl.nasa.gov\/museum\/About.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________Albert    Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program Accepting    Applications for 2015-2016 Fellowship    YearThe Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator    Fellowship, or AEF, Program provides a unique opportunity for    accomplished K-12 educators in the fields of science,    technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, to serve in    the national education arena. Fellows spend 11 months working    in a federal agency or U.S. congressional office, bringing    their extensive classroom knowledge and experience to STEM    education program and\/or education policy efforts. Program    applications are dueNov. 20, 2014, and    must be submitted through an online application    system.To    be eligible, applicants must be U.S. citizens who are currently    employed full time in a U.S. public or private elementary or    secondary school or school district, and must have been    teaching full time in a public or private elementary or    secondary school for at least five of the last seven years in a    STEM discipline.Federal sponsors have included NASA, the    Department of Energy, or DOE, the National Science Foundation    and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The    DOE sponsors up to four placements in U.S. congressional    offices.The AEF Program is managed by the DOE Office    of Science, Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and    Scientists, in collaboration with the Triangle Coalition for    STEM Education and the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and    Education.Information about the Albert Einstein    Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program, including    eligibility requirements, program benefits, application    requirements and access to the online application system can be    found athttp:\/\/science.energy.gov\/wdts\/einstein\/.Inquiries    about the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship    Program should be directed <a href=\"mailto:tosc.einstein@science.doe.gov\">tosc.einstein@science.doe.gov<\/a>.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________NASA's    Balance Mass Challenge: Using \"Dead Weight\" on Mars Spacecraft    to Advance Science and    TechnologyThe Mars Balance Mass Challenge seeks design    ideas for science and technology payloads that could    potentially provide dual purpose as ejectable balance masses on    spacecraft entering the Martian atmosphere.The payloads may serve two roles: perform    scientific and\/or technology functions that help us learn more    about the Red Planet, and provide the necessary mass to balance    planetary landers.Submissions are dueNov. 21,    2014. All potential solvers submitting ideas must be    18 years of age or older. A winner will be announced in    mid-January 2015 and receive an award of    $20,000.For more information about the challenge,    visithttps:\/\/www.innocentive.com\/ar\/challenge\/9933607.The    Mars Balance Mass Challenge is managed by NASA's Center of    Excellence for Collaborative Innovation, or CoECI. CoECI was    established in coordination with the White House Office of    Science and Technology Policy to advance NASA's open innovation    efforts and extend that expertise to other federal agencies.    The challenges are being released on the NASA Innovation    Pavilion, one of the CoECI platforms available to NASA team    members, through its contract with InnoCentive Inc. Also please    visit the newNASA    Solvewebsite to watch avideoon    the Mars Balance Mass challenge and to learn more about all    NASA challenge and prize-based activities.Questions about the contest series should be    directed to NASAs Center of Excellence for Collaborative    Innovation <a href=\"mailto:atnasa-coeci@mail.nasa.gov\">atnasa-coeci@mail.nasa.gov<\/a>.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________NASA    CubeSat Space MissionsNASA has opened the next round of its    CubeSat Launch Initiative, part of the White House Maker    Initiative, in an effort to engage the growing community of    space enthusiasts that can contribute to NASA's space    exploration goals.The CubeSat Launch Initiative gives    students, teachers and faculty a chance to get hands-on flight    hardware development experience in the process of designing,    building and operating small research satellites. It also    provides a low-cost pathway to space for research in the areas    of science, exploration, technology development, education or    operations consistent with NASA's Strategic    Plan.Applicants must submit their proposals    electronically by4:30 p.m. EST, Nov. 25,    2014. NASA will select the payloads by Feb. 6, 2015,    but selection does not guarantee a launch opportunity. Selected    experiments are slated to be flown as auxiliary payloads on    agency rocket launches or to be deployed from the International    Space Station beginning in 2015 and running through 2018. NASA    does not provide funding for the development of the small    satellites, and this opportunity is open only to U.S. nonprot    organizations and accredited educational    organizations.One goal of the CubeSat Launch Initiative is    to extend the successes of space exploration to all 50 states    by launching a small satellite from at least one participant in    each state in the next five years. During this round, NASA is    particularly focused on gaining participation in the District    of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 21 states not previously selected    for the CubeSat Launch Initiative. These states are: Arkansas,    Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota,    Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North    Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota,    Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.CubeSats are in a class of research    spacecraft called nanosatellites. The base CubeSat dimensions    are about 4 inches by 4 inches by 4 inches (10 centimeters by    10 centimeters by 11 centimeters), which equals one \"cube,\" or    1U. CubeSats supported by this launch effort include volumes of    1U, 2U, 3U and 6U. CubeSats of 1U, 2U and 3U size typically    have a mass of about three pounds (1.33 kilograms) per 1U Cube.    A 6U CubeSat typically has a mass of about 26.5 pounds (12    kilograms). The CubeSat's final mass depends on which    deployment method is selected.To    date, NASA has selected 114 CubeSats from 29 states, 17 of    which have already been launched. Nine more CubeSats are    scheduled to go into space in the next 12    months.For additional information about NASA's    CubeSat Launch Initiative program, visithttp:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/cubesats.Questions    about this opportunity should be directed to Jason Crusan    <a href=\"mailto:atJason.Crusan@nasa.gov\">atJason.Crusan@nasa.gov<\/a>.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________  <\/p>\n<p>    Louisiana Tech University Online Course -- Steps to STEM: NASA    Education Resources for STEM EngagementLouisiana Tech University is teaming up with    NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center to offer a 10-week course    for educators interested in putting a space-themed twist on    learning. The course is designed to be a self-paced, online    professional development experience focusing on science,    technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM, education    resources available from NASA. These resources have application    methods for use in grades 4-9 classrooms with the goal of    advancing high quality STEM education utilizing NASA's unique    capabilities.Applications are dueNov. 30,    2014.For more information and to enroll in the    course, visithttp:\/\/education.latech.edu\/departments\/science_technology_education_center\/opeo.php.Requests    for a course syllabus and additional course information, and    questions about the course should be directed to Amy McDowell    <a href=\"mailto:atamy.mcdowell@nasa.gov\">atamy.mcdowell@nasa.gov<\/a>.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________  <\/p>\n<p>    DEADLINE EXTENDED: 2014 Humans in Space Art Video    ChallengeThe Humans in Space Art Program and NASA's    International Space Station Program have teamed up to launch    the international Humans in Space Art Challenge. How will    humans use space science and technology to benefit humanity?    College students and early career professionals are invited to    ponder this question and to express an answer creatively in a    video less than three minutes long. Video artwork can be of any    style, featuring original animation, sketches, music, live    action drama, poetry, dance, Rube Goldberg machines, apps, etc.    Younger students may also participate, but all artwork will be    judged in one age category.Individuals or teams of participants should    include one clear reference to the International Space Station    in their videos and may use space station footage if    desired.An    interdisciplinary team of space representatives and art experts    will evaluate the videos. NASA and the Humans in Space Art    program will make the highest scoring artwork visible worldwide    through online and local touring events. NASA will also take    the winning video on a trip into orbit on the International    Space Station and provide montages with flown patches for    winners.The deadline for submissions has been    extended. All submissions must be received byNov.    30, 2014.For additional information and a complete    list of guidelines, visithttp:\/\/www.lpi.usra.edu\/humansinspaceart\/challenge\/.Inquiries    about this opportunity should be directed <a href=\"mailto:tohumansinspaceart@lpi.usra.edu\">tohumansinspaceart@lpi.usra.edu<\/a>.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________Beautiful    Earth Program Presents: Bella Gaia, a Multimedia    PerformanceNASA's Beautiful Earth Program invites    educators and students to take part in a musical and visual    tour of Earth from space onDec. 1, 2014, at 1    p.m. EST. During this one-hour event, composer and    musician Kenji Williams will perform Bella Gaia, a multimedia    experience that incorporates music and NASA imagery. Following    the performance, scientist Dr. Dalia Kirschbaum from NASA's    Global Precipitation Measurement mission will lead a discussion    on extreme weather science. During the discussion, students and    teachers from across the country are invited to ask questions    on the theme of extreme weather. (There are only six slots    available for schools to interact    live.)Other participants can view and interact    with the program via webcast.For more information and to register to    attend, visithttp:\/\/beautifulearth.gsfc.nasa.gov\/Events\/.Questions    about this event should be directed <a href=\"mailto:tovcasa@umbc.edu\">tovcasa@umbc.edu<\/a>.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________  <\/p>\n<p>    Free Smithsonian's Stars Lecture Series  <\/p>\n<p>    Curious about icy bodies in the outer reaches of our solar    system, the effects of space junk on deep-space observation,    the latest discoveries about the origins of the universe and    new ways galaxy formation is mapped? 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 about 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. EST and is    followed by a Q&A session. Stay after the lecture to visit    the museum's observatory, weather    permitting.Dec.    6, 2014 -- Rubble Trouble: How Space Junk Impacts    AstronomyThe incredible information and images    gathered using space telescopes have revolutionized what we    know about the cosmos. Could space junk hinder future findings?    Research associate Lisa Rand will discuss this question and the    impact space junk has on astronomy.    Jan. 24, 2015 -- Observing the Origin of the Universe From the    South PoleAfter three years of observing from the    South Pole, scientists may have found confirmation that the    universe underwent a burst of inflationary growth at the time    of the Big Bang. Cosmologist Colin Bischoff will discuss these    findings as well as the excitement of astronomy from    Antarctica.Feb. 21, 2015 -- Tracing the    Structure of the Universe With Galaxy    SurveysStudies of galaxy formation and cosmology    have exploded in recent years due to the immense data obtained    from large galaxy surveys. Postdoctoral fellow Cameron McBride    will discuss how observational data and theory are combined to    better understand fundamental questions in our universe, and    will highlight some exciting results from ongoing    research.  <\/p>\n<p>    For more information about the Smithsonian's Stars Lecture    Series, visithttp:\/\/airandspace.si.edu\/events\/lectures\/smithsonian-stars\/.Questions    about this lecture series should be directed to the visitor    service line at 202-633-2214.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________Host    a Real-Time Conversation With Crew Members Aboard the    International Space StationARISS-US is now accepting proposals from    U.S. schools, museums, science centers and community youth    organizations to host an Amateur Radio on the International    Space Station, or ARISS, contact between May 1 - Dec. 31, 2015.    To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS-US is    looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of    participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed    education plan. Proposals are dueDec. 15,    2014.  <\/p>\n<p>    Using amateur radio, students can ask astronauts questions    about life in space and other space-related topics. Students    fully engage in the ARISS contact by helping set up an amateur    radio ground station at the school and then using that station    to talk directly with a crew member on the International Space    Station for approximately 10 minutes. ARISS provides    experienced mentors and relies on local amateur radio    volunteers to help organizations obtain the technology required    to host this once in a lifetime opportunity for    students.Interested parties should    visithttp:\/\/www.arrl.org\/hosting-an-ariss-contactto    obtain complete information including how the technology works,    what is expected of the host organization and how to submit the    proposal form.Questions about this opportunity should be    emailed <a href=\"mailto:toariss@arrl.org\">toariss@arrl.org<\/a>.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________  <\/p>\n<p>    Future Engineers 3-D Printing in Space: Design a Space Tool    ChallengeNASA, in conjunction with the American    Society of Mechanical Engineers Foundation, has issued a series    of Future Engineers 3-D Space Challenges for students focused    on solving real-world space exploration problems. Students will    become the creators and innovators of tomorrow by using 3-D    modeling software to submit their designs. Multiple prizes are    available, but the grand prize winner will have the opportunity    for his or her design to be printed on the first 3-D printer    aboard the International Space Station while watching from    NASAs Payload Operations Center with the mission control    team.The Design a Space Tool Challenge is the    first in series of challenges where students in grades K-12    will create and submit a digital 3-D model of a tool that they    think astronauts might need in space. Future Engineers is a    multiyear education initiative that consists of 3-D space    challenges and curriculum videos on the site that parents and    educators can use to get kids designing    today.Entries must be submitted    byDec. 15, 2014.For more information about the challenge and    to watch an introductory video from astronaut Doug Wheelock,    visithttp:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/content\/printing-challenges-for-the-first-3d-printer-aboard-the-international-space-station\/.If    you have any questions about the Design a Space Tool Challenge,    please <a href=\"mailto:emailinfo@futureengineers.org\">emailinfo@futureengineers.org<\/a>.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________  <\/p>\n<p><!-- Auto Generated --><\/p>\n<p>See original here: <\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/www.spaceref.com\/news\/viewsr.html?pid=46341\/RK=0\/RS=OjEnLng.gDm0zD.rqeArQ9YJ8L4-\" title=\"NASA Education Express Message -- Nov. 13, 2014\">NASA Education Express Message -- Nov. 13, 2014<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> Space Shuttle Thermal Protective Tiles Available for Educational UseNASA invites eligible U.S. educational institutions and museums to request space shuttle thermal protective tiles and other special items offered on a first-come, first-served basis while quantities last.  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.euvolution.com\/futurist-transhuman-news-blog\/nasa\/nasa-education-express-message-nov-13-2014.php\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"limit_modified_date":"","last_modified_date":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-158881","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nasa"],"modified_by":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.euvolution.com\/futurist-transhuman-news-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/158881"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.euvolution.com\/futurist-transhuman-news-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.euvolution.com\/futurist-transhuman-news-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.euvolution.com\/futurist-transhuman-news-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.euvolution.com\/futurist-transhuman-news-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=158881"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.euvolution.com\/futurist-transhuman-news-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/158881\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.euvolution.com\/futurist-transhuman-news-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=158881"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.euvolution.com\/futurist-transhuman-news-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=158881"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.euvolution.com\/futurist-transhuman-news-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=158881"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}