Field Expeditions
An opportunity to plan and implement high fidelity
Moon/Mars analog exploration research
The NASA Vision for Space Exploration involves humans living and
working on the surfaces of the Moon and Mars. These natural environments
pose significant challenges and opportunities for human explorers.
The next generation of space explorers needs to understand how to
establish and maintain outposts in harsh environments. They must
be trained to live and work in these environments and learn how to
explore the surfaces of these worlds.
Join world-renowned planetary scientists
to live and work at remote and isolated Moon/Mars analog research
sites. Study exploration and technology topics:
- Logistics and transportation
- Energy and life support
- Human factors
- Exploration and EVA activities
- Moon/Mars science and analog
concepts and theory.
Learn how to:
- Organize and implement activities to establish a research outpost
in an extreme environment
- Study trade-offs between different architectures on the Moon
and Mars
- Work out actual life support and transportation issues facing
your crew
- Develop solutions for issues such as time-delay, EVA planning,
dust and radiation hazards
- Test new technologies being considered for lunar use
Especially for Grade 7 -12 Teachers
-
Experience first-hand one of the most fundamental activities
of science - field research
-
Collaborate with peer teachers under the tutelage of world-class
scientists and experts in field research
-
Enhance your knowledge of science content, skills, practices
and processes
-
Design and plan ways to leverage field experiences in your classroom
- Have a passion for exploration, science and scientific research?
- Find planetary science fascinating - particularly the utilization
of places here on earth to investigate what it might be like
on other planets?
- Like the outdoors and exploring new, remote places?
- Like working with teacher peers, scientists, and informal
educators?
- Like discovering and developing new and novel ways to bring
authentic science and scientific research into your classroom?
Then we invite you …
To apply to join an future science expedition to explore and study a Mars
Analog
View the Spaceward Bound Pilot Program in the Atacama
Desert 2006 for more
information
Spaceward Bound is a program that …
- Immerses teachers in authentic NASA exploration research by
challenging them to plan and implement a field research expedition
- Develops cohorts of teachers located throughout the country
who have significant experience in NASA field research
- Supports teachers to “go forth and multiply” by
facilitating the training of peers by program graduates and
dissemination of NASA science throughout the Explorer School
system and beyond
- Recruits teachers from NASA Explorer Schools to
- Identify highly qualified program participants with established
interest, motivation and pre-requisite experience with NASA
science and education
- Infuse Spaceward Bound teacher learning and experience throughout
the nationwide Explorer School network and beyond
- Connects with other NASA projects to establish a matrix of
programs covering multiple applications of field research in
NASA exploration and science, e.g.:
- Spaceward Bound - Moon/Mars analogs
- SON Winter Story - hydrothermal science and astrobiology
- Phoenix MARSFEST - mission centered exploration
The Spaceward Bound Teacher Cohort 2006
will …
- In conjunction with NASA scientists and educators, plan and
conduct a field research expedition to a Mars analog
- Work with NASA scientists to perform ground-breaking scientific
research in the field
- Learn and apply current planetary exploration an science concepts,
theories and ideas
- Utilize experience, knowledge, and creativity to determine
how to develop pedagogical content knowledge and methods for
bringing field research into the classroom in an authentic, relevant
and educative manner
- Actively support and provide training on PCK and methods to
peer teachers within the NASA Explorer School program and beyond
- Mentor subsequent cohorts of Spaceward Bound teachers
- Utilize their learning and experience to support the evolution
of the Spaceward Bound Program
Post-Expedition Requirements
- Journals of field expedition experiences to be posted on Spaceward
Bound website
- Plan for leveraging of field expedition experiences into classrooms
- Plan for outreach to all NASA Explorer Schools via DLN network
- Written reflection on personal learning, program strengths
and weaknesses, and recommendations for inclusion in planning
for future expeditions.
This opportunity is brought to you by the
NASA Exploration
Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD)
in partnership with
Mars Society,
NASA
Explorer Schools,
Students
for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS),
National Society of Black Engineers
- Space Special Interest Group (NSBE - Space),
Space
Generation.
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