Audio Blogging With Richard Garriott

Challenger Center Launches New Audio Blog Forum

"In April Richard Garriott, the next civilian to visit the International Space Station in October, 2008, joined Founding Chairman of Challenger Center for Space Science Education, Dr. June Scobee Rogers, for the first in a series of monthly audio blog podcasts. Dr. Rodgers and Richard discussed various topics from his childhood to the motivation that brought him to where he is today."

Students to Create YouTube Videos for Live Webcast by Private Space Explorer Richard Garriott

Blending Art and Science: Challenger Center Invites Students to Create Art for Space Flight

Spore: The Game

Astrobiology Meets the Video Game: Spore

"The soon-to-be-released Astrobiology-based game Spore by Electronic Arts (EA) is described as "an epic journey that takes you from the origin and evolution of life through the development of civilization and technology, and eventually all the way into the deepest reaches of outer space." Spore explorers can wage epic battles for survival in the primordial soup, meet, greet, and co-evolve with other creatures, be part of a tribe and build a civilization, build a space ship, and explore the final frontier."

Using NASA Artifacts To Teach

NASA Artifact Loan Opportunities

"NASA is pleased to offer a new program of Artifact Loan Opportunities created to help museums and other organizations traditionally not associated with NASA gain access to NASA artifacts. These artifacts represent the often revolutionary accomplishments that have resulted from NASA's decades of exploring the unknown."

Floating and Teaching

Northrop Grumman Foundation Accepting Teacher Applications For 2008 Weightless Flights of Discovery

"The Northrop Grumman Foundation is accepting teacher applications for the 2008 Weightless Flights of Discovery program, an initiative that places teachers on micro- and zero-gravity flights to test Newton's Laws of Motion and energize students in the formative middle-school years."

Students Call The ISS

ARISS Status April 28, 2008, ISS Fan Club

"Upcoming School Contacts: The National Air and Space Museum (NASM) in Washington, D.C. has been approved for an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Saturday, May 3 at 15:52 UTC via the telebridge station NN1SS in Greenbelt. This year Space Day will celebrate the 50th anniversary of NASA and NASA's achievements through space exploration. Youth, ages 12 -18, will participate."

Educational Opportunities with SEDS

Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) Seeks Interns

"The organisation Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) is seeking interns to work on a variety of interesting topics. You will be based close to Madrid, Spain. If you are interested to help out from your home via the Internet, that is possible and appreciated too!"

To Boldly Go Where No Intern Has Gone Before

NASA Intern Hoping To Go On Space Walk Before He Leaves In June, Onion'

"Hodson, whose resumé did not list any formal flight training or an academic background in engineering, mathematics, biological science, or physics, said he was positive that before the next launch, NASA officials would notice he had refilled all the staplers. And although Hodson falls below the specific standards of the NASA space physical for vision and blood pressure, as well as not meeting fitness, stamina, and strength prerequisites, the 20-year-old did meet the height requirement."

Gen Y's plans to Reform NASA - SMC Pitch

Next Gen Presentation NASA Strategic Management Council 15 April 2008

"We're asking to create an environment where all NASA employees can leverage their strengths to push the limits of science and space exploration by:

- Providing the current NASA workforce with infusion of fresh ideas, methodologies and technologies.
- Providing the Next Gen NASA workforce the programs and experience today that it needs to be the leaders in the future.
- Enabling enhanced communication and collaboration between NASA centers.
- Getting more young people in the door."

NASA MMO Role Playing Game Update

NASA Wants its MMO Created for Free, Slashdot

"It seems that the educational MMORPG NASA's proposing will no longer have a budget of $3 million. Instead, any prospective development partner is being asked to create and maintain the MMORPG for free under a 'non-reimbursable Space Act Agreement'. It won't be a one-sided agreement, though. From NASA's RFP: 'In exchange for a collaborator's investment to create and manage a NASA-based MMO game for fun and to enhance STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics], NASA will consider negotiating brand placement, limited exclusivity and other opportunities."

NASA Asking For Free MMO? Hardly. Game Cyte

"When several prominent sources reported that NASA had lost funding for its upcoming educational MMO yet continued to seek game developers willing to work for free, we became curious. Why would NASA shoot themselves in the foot, yet continue to hobble along as if it never happened? But we soon found out the entire story lacked merit."

Budget Slashed On NASA's Educational MMO, Wired

"Like much of the space program, NASA Learning Technologies (an education-focused subset of the space agency) is facing budget cuts that leave the future of the group's previously revealed educational online game in question."

NASA Solicitation: Partner With NASA on the Development of a MMO Game to Support STEM Learning

NASA Offers Educational Online Gaming Opportunity to Developers

Business Sponsorship Needed

Maine Students Seek Business Sponsorship For NASA Zero-Gravity Flight

"Preparing to conduct science experiments while floating weightless in an airplane has been no easy task for the University of Maine and University of Southern Maine team chosen to participate this summer in NASA's Reduced Gravity Student Flight Opportunities Program. Now, the biggest challenge left to the 10-member team known as Dirigo, the first ever from Maine, is to raise the money necessary by late June to get them and their experiment off the ground."

Let's Party Like It's 1961

Yuri's Night Parties This Saturday, Wired
Yuri's Night to mark first manned spaceflight, Houston Chronicle
NASA hosts rave-like bash for first man in space, Yuri Gagarin, Contra Costa Times
Media Invited to Join in 'Yuri's Night Goddard' Celebration at NASA Goddard
NASA Ames Co-Hosts Yuri's Night Bay Area 2008 Celebration
Yuri's Night - the World Party for Space - to Shatter Previous Records

"When Yuri's Night, an organization dedicated to forwarding the cause of space exploration by holding events around the world each April 12, held over 120 parties on a single day in 2007, it was viewed as an incredible accomplishment unlikely to be topped. Earlier this week, though, Yuri's Night 2008 not only met that mark but completely left it in the dust, registering 173 events in 49 countries, with 3 days still left before the big event."

Yuri's Night Video Greeting from ISS below

Educational Outreach For Richard Garriott's ISS Mission

Blending Art and Science: Challenger Center Invites Students to Create Art for Space Flight

"Science Education invites students to use their creativity to design an original piece of art for a student mission patch for private space explorer, Richard Garriott. As the next civilian to fly to space, Richard plans to engage students around the world before, during and after his flight to the International Space Station planned for October 2008."

Students to Create YouTube Videos for Live Webcast by Private Space Explorer Richard Garriott

"We strongly encourage students to participate as we take a new and creative approach with this webcast, by asking students to submit videos to be posted on the Challenger Center YouTube site."

Webcast With Richard Garriott

Challenger Center Webcast with Richard Garriott from Star City, Russia

"On April 21, 2008 at 12:00pm ET, Richard Garriott will hold an interactive live webcast with students and teachers. Students of all ages are encouraged to submit a question for Mr. Garriott on the Challenger Center for Space Science Education's website: http://www.challenger.org. Questions can be submitted in writing or by video. If a question is chosen for the webcast, Mr. Garriott will answer it during the live webcast. Student videos may also be used on the live webcast and posted on the Challenger Center YouTube site. Deadline is April 18th for submissions. All Challenger Center webcasts are free and open to the general public and archived for viewing post event."

Challenger Center Student Art Contest

Join The Challenger Center Student Art Contest Supporting Richard Garriott's Space Flight

"Students of all ages are encouraged to submit their design for a student patch or t-shirt that celebrates the educational aspect of Richard Garriott’s upcoming flight. The student design should symbolize the adventure and discovery of spaceflight from the student’s point of view. The winning student design may appear on both a patch and a t-shirt. Challenger Center for Space Science Education plans to post some of the submitted student’s designs on their national website, and will award the winner with a certificate and t-shirt with his/her design later this year. The design may even get flown into space!"

Attention Gen Y

Editor's note: The following has been circulating around the web for a while - someone sent it to me today. I am not certain of the original source. While I am obviously a strong supporter of new ways to communicate and the need for today's leaders to better understand the generation that is working its way up the ladder, the dialog needs to be reciprocal. For all of you Gen Y folks demanding to be let into NASA programs and leadership: today's world did not just pop into existence. Someone had to create it - and the things that led up to it. And the people who did these things got the opportunity to do so based on their ability - not their age. We old folks are not going to just fade away either - and we're multitasking and adopting all of your nifty cyber tools faster than you might think:

A stunning senior moment

The applause was amazing ...

Comments? Send them to nasawatch@spaceref.com. Your comments thus far:

Barbara Morgan Gets Challenger Center Award

Challenger Center and President George H.W. Bush award NASA Educator Astronaut Barbara Morgan with the President George H.W. Bush Award

"On March 19th at the George Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas, Challenger Center for Space Science Education and former President George H.W. Bush presented NASA Educator Astronaut Barbara Morgan with Challenger Center's top honor, The President George H. W. Bush Award. The award was first given to President and Mrs. George H.W. Bush in 1995 for their support in continuing the mission of the Challenger 51-L crew that was tragically lost in 1986. Prior to the ceremony Barbara Morgan gave a brief presentation sponsored by the Marilyn Kent Byrne Student Success Center to students from Texas A&M."

Challenger Center News

Go For Launch! Challenger Center Heads to the International Space Station

"Richard Garriott is a preeminent game developer and son of NASA Skylab Astronaut Owen Garriott. As the next civilian to fly into space, Richard plans to follow the lead of Educator Astronaut Barbara Morgan, STS-118, through interactive lessons that will motivate and inspire students. His flight is currently scheduled for lift-off to the International Space Station on October 12, 2008. Richard is a former student of Dr. June Scobee Rodgers, the Founding Chairman of Challenger Center for Space Science Education and widow of that flight's Commander, Dick Scobee."

Griffin on NASA and Education

Michael Griffin Redux, Starstryder (Blog)

Grad Student: How do we convince the Government to get us money?

Griffin: I don't generally get any insights from politicians

Mike Griffin on Gen Y and His College Days

NASA chief addresses the Gen-Y problem. Does he care?, Houston Chronicle

"I've got to say that, yeah, young people are not as motivated by space as we would like. But I remember also when I was young and I was motivated by other things. I used to say when I was in college my primary career was golf in the daytime and girls at night, and if I had time I would attend class. I don't think I was atypical from young people then or today."

Gen Y and NASA - Update: Blocking Access To Tools

NASA's Gen Y Speaks Out, Wired

"At the recent NASA Next Generation Exploration Conference at NASA Ames, two young NASA employees, Nick Skytland and Garret Fitzpatrick gave a powerful presentation called "The Gen Y Perspective"-- a set of charts they had delivered to their center management the week before that made it all the way up to the Administrator's desk. Now they were presenting it at a conference of their peers, with special guest moon walker Buzz Aldrin listening."

NASA Generation Y Briefing 2.4 MB PDF

Next Generation Exploration Conference Convenes at NASA's Ames

Editor's update: While some portions of NASA are paying close attention to how the real world is using the Internet, including the 9th floor at NASA Headquarters, other parts of the agency are hiding their heads in the sand. One notable example: JSC and DFRC are blocking access to Twitter. Twitter is one of the fastest growing "microblogging" services in the world and is exceptionally popular with Gen Y. A growing number of NASA personnel use Twitter on a daily basis as tool in their job. I have an account and find it exceptionally useful. There is also a NASA Watch feed on Twitter as well. If you want to see the amazingly global aspect of Twitter check out Twittervision as the Earth moves and messages from all over the world appear in near real time.

However, if Twitter is such a treat that JSC, GRC, and DFRC see fit to ban it, why isn't the entire agency blocking it? What do the CIOs at JSC, GRC, and DFRC know that the rest of the agency does not?

Rather, as I suspect is actually the case, what is it that JSC, GRC, and DFRC's CIO's do not understand?

Editor's update: Curiously, NASA has its own official Twitter feed. Why put something like this online and then block your own employees from seeing it? Typical NASA.

Editor's note: Kristen Painting and Aaron Barrera were also authors on this presentation.

Editor's note: Someone I worked with at NASA in the early 1990's sent me this comment: "The Gen Y Perspective Briefing reminds me of the old joke:
Q. What's the difference between NASA and Jurassic Park?
A. One's an amusement park, filled with dinosaurs; the other one's a movie."

Write Your Own VSE

Return to Luna: A Short Story Science Fiction Contest by the National Space Society

"WE ARE LOOKING FOR: Science Fiction stories that show the adventure of lunar settlement. We want to feel the romance of life there, the wonder of the lunar frontier, of its magnificent desolation. We prefer near future (50 to 150 years from now), realistic stories about human lunar settlement. We want good characterization and well-written, tight prose. We want to feel what it's like to live on the Moon."

NASA City is Now Online

New Web Feature Shows How NASA Technologies Improve Our Lives

"NASA has added to its Web site an interactive program that allows users to discover some of the many NASA technologies that positively impact everyday life. NASA Deputy Administrator Shana Dale unveiled NASA at Home and NASA City Tuesday in Denver at the 3rd Space Exploration Conference."

NASA's In Your Frozen Chicken, Wired

"As an easy guide to some of these highlights, NASA has released a clever around-the-house and around-the-city Flash site (link takes you to their multimedia page, click on "NASA Home and City") that details a whole host of common materials that do in fact owe their existence to the space program."

Surveying the Next Generation

Reader note: To the Next Generation of Space Leaders: A little over a year ago, we asked the youth of the world to tell us what they think should happen within the next 50 years in regards to space. You overwhelmingly responded, with over 150 responses giving us your ideas. As promised, we presented your ideas to the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space as well as to prominent scientists, astronauts and engineers at Boston University.

Now we'd like to ask you to take it further with part two of this survey, which is located at http://www.spacegeneration.org/survey/survey.php?id=36EVFIAR. Tell us more about what should happen in the next 50 years and let your voice be heard yet again! This time we ask you to focus on how we can find solutions to the global challenges facing us. - Bijal Bee Thakore

NGEC at NASA ARC

Next Generation Exploration Conference Convenes at NASA's Ames

"A group of emerging space leaders will gather at NASA's Ames Research Center from Feb. 12 to 15 to discuss innovative approaches to designing the future of space exploration. This year's Next Generation Exploration Conference will focus on entrepreneurial opportunities in lunar development. News media are invited to attend. The conference is designed to give young space technology leaders a forum to interact with NASA's senior management. Participants will collaborate in working groups and present their ideas to the NASA Exploration Systems Mission Directorate Commercial Development Policy group and the Innovative Partnerships Program Office."

USAF/NASA Red Tape Cancels Launch of Model Rockets

Reader note: "The planned launch of 50 Juno I model rockets from Cape Canaveral to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Explorer I launch has now been cancelled by the station's wing commander. Although the CCAFS has no quams about launching Deltas, Atlas and other massive rockets, they go into a complete tither when it comes down to launching a 12 inch long model rocket made of balsa wood and paper weighing just under 2 oz.

The intended launching was to be used as a fund raiser for the CCAFS Museum with each of the rockets being armed with the smallest engine they can carry, an A8-3. This engine would have propelled each of these 2 oz. Juno I replicas the a computer calculated altitude and or range of only 239 feet and each is recovered with a 12 inch parachute.

The Air Force, however, upon discovery of the planned flights felt that these rockets could pose a hazard to the nearby Delta pads- which are made of concrete and steel and are more than 10 times farther from the model's launch site than the rockets can fly. With that as their reason, the Air Force started the red tape machine. Soon the USAF Jags got involved and wanted a held harmless form signed by everyone near the launch site.

Next, a USAF person of non-importance decided to contact NASA and tell them that the rockets would be firing from the actual Explorer I launch site, which was on their property. Now enters the NASA red tape machine, which demanded a full safety review (keep in mind that kids have been flying such rockets since before NASA was even created). With this red tape storm in full swing, the CCAFS wing commander's office had heard enough and scrubbed all 50 launches.

Thus, all over America on January 31, 2008 school kids and adults will celebrate the the day that the US Army launched Explorer I into space by launching model rockets. In spite of the winter conditions, the launches will take place in parks and school yards and back yards all over the United States- every place EXCEPT for Cape Canaveral.

In 1958, the US Army restored the nation's pride following Sputnik, but it seems that in 2008, the Air Force and NASA cannot even get out of their own red taped way to launch a simple rocket made of balsa wood and paper.

Someone at NASA HQ Finally Understands How The World Will Soon Work (i.e. Already Does)

NASA IPP Solicitation: Development of a NASA-Based Massively Multiplayer Online Learning Game

"The NASA LT Project Office is requesting information to support the development of a NASA-based STEM educational MMO. A high quality synthetic gaming environment is a vital element of NASA's educational cyberstructure. This new synthetic world would be a collaborative work and meeting space as well as a game space of a kind familiar to increasing numbers of American students. Games and challenges in the MMO would engage students in a way that is both familiar and comfortable for them. In turn, participation in the MMO would build increased student awareness of STEM fields and lead more students to pursue STEM courses of study. The MMO will foster career exploration opportunities in a much deeper way than reading alone would permit and at a fraction of the time and cost of an internship program."

Editor's note: Wow. Looks like this got a lot of attention overnight:

Nasa investigates virtual space, BBC
Information Requested for NASA-Based MMORPG, Slashdot
World of NASAcraft?, NextGeneration
NASA Planning Educational MMO, Gaming Today
NASA To Recruit Via Online Gaming, Web Pro News
Space agency seeks gaming expertise for massively multiplayer game, GameDaily

Donate an XO laptop to a child in a developing nation

One learning child. One connected child. One laptop at a time., One Laptop Per Child

"The mission of One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) is to empower the children of developing countries to learn by providing one connected laptop to every school-age child. In order to accomplish our goal, we need people who believe in what we’re doing and want to help make education for the world’s children a priority, not a privilege. Between November 12 and November 26, OLPC is offering a Give One Get One program in the United States and Canada. During this time, you can donate the revolutionary XO laptop to a child in a developing nation, and also receive one for the child in your life in recognition of your contribution."

Editor's 12 Nov note: I just bought two (i.e. donated one). You should too.

Editor's 26 Nov update: This program has been extended to 31 December 2007.

Editor's 18 Dec update: I got my OLPC XO laptop today. It is an interesting device. Certainly rugged. In some ways it is intuitive - in other ways (i.e. to my 52 year old brain) somewhat counter intuitive. But it is not designed for me. It is designed for children - children who may have never touched electronics before - their gateway to the modern, globalized, interconnected world. As such, this is a potentially powerful device. Once you get through a few things it is remarkably straightforward to use. I get the feeling someone in a third world community is going to submit the equivalent of their application to Starfleet Academy on this device. More to follow.

Images taken inside one of the Insert Studios at CNN's Washington Bureau on 19 December 2007 [Left] me and the backdrop taken by my XO laptop. [Right] My XO laptop sitting on a chair in the studio. Click on images to enlarge.

Getting Detention For Being Efficient

High Schooler Gets Detention for Using Firefox?, Gizmodo

"Today in class [name] had a program launched called Foxfire.exe. I had told [name] to close the program and to resume work but he told me that is was just a different browser and that he was doing his work. I had given him two warnings but he insisted that it was just a "better" browser and he wasn't doing anything wrong. I had then issued his detention."

Editor's update: Looks like this was a widely-propagated hoax.

Science Cafes: Something NASA Should Be Doing

Science Cafes Tap Nation's Fascination With Research and Discoveries, Wired

"Toby Garfield, an oceanographer at San Francisco State University, was explaining the science of big ocean waves, like the giant Mavericks surf break about 25 miles away. As he showed slides of the ocean floor and explained that the coast is a system of energy dissipation, the crowd peppered him with questions. Why do waves come in sets? What are rogue waves? How is the United States harnessing the power of waves to make renewable energy? Scenes like this are being repeated across the country at science cafes, where contemporary science -- a topic that Americans supposedly find dull -- is drawing substantial crowds month after month, even on topics as nerdy as gene sequencing and dark matter."

Editor's note: This is something NASA Should Be Doing. Oh wait - they are - at ARC i.e. Luna Philosophie, NASA CoLab

Editor's update: A NASA Watch reader informed me that LaRC Has been holding Science Cafes as well - my omission. Perhaps LaRC will fix its press release distribution system such that I get press releases and media notices (such as this one) - things that I have registered to receive by email ...

NRC Report on NASA Education Programs

NASA's Elementary and Second Program: Review and Critique, NRC

"The federal role in precollege science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education is receiving increasing attention in light of the need to support public understanding of science and to develop a strong scientific and technical workforce in a competitive global economy. Federal science agencies, such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), are being looked to as a resource for enhancing precollege STEM education and bringing more young people to scientific and technical careers."

Challenger Center News

Challenger Center for Space Science Education Flies High Above Times Square

"Over the past several days, New Yorkers have had a chance to see what the next Challenger Learning Center will look like. The facility will be located in Mount Laurel Township, New Jersey and wadesigned by Cubellis, a national architectural, interior design, and engineering firm. Visitors to Times Square have been shown a large electronic advertisement by PRNewswire at 3 Times Square featuring a press release and an image of the new Learning Center."

Challenger Center News

Challenger Center for Space Science Education Names NASA Veteran William Readdy As Next Board Chairman

"Challenger Center for Space Science Education is pleased to announce that in January 2008 William Readdy will assume the important leadership role, succeeding astronaut and business executive, Dr. Joseph Allen, Ph.D. as chairman of the board. Readdy brings over three decades of experience in the aerospace industry to Challenger Center. He had a distinguished career with NASA, as an astronaut and as associate administrator for space operations."

Challenger Center for Space Science Education Adds New Members to Board of Directors

"Leroy Chiao, Carol Staubach, Keith Cowing"

Looking Ahead

From Education to Enterprise: The Importance of Science and Technology in a Global Market

"Join an Interactive Panel with Global Leaders Hosted by The Center for Excellence in Education and Booz Allen Hamilton - Event Date: December 10, 2007 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

• Eileen Collins, Colonel, USAF, Ret., NASA Astronaut
• Dennis Doughty, President, US Government Business, Booz Allen Hamilton
• Michael H. Jordan, Chairman of the Board, Electronic Data Systems Corporation
• Steve Wozniak, Co-ounder, Apple Computer"

Simple Video - Big Message

NASA's Exploration Mission: And the Children Shall Reach Out - and Lead, SpaceRef

"Every now and again even the most cynical of us stumble across something so simple - and yet profound - as to take one's breath away - and remind us of why we are so captivated with space exploration's broader ramifications."

Editor's note: I need to post a link to this video (below) at least once every few months. Indulge me.

value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_3BxBeLzbg8&rel=1">

Upcoming NRC Reports

Editor's note: The following reports are tentatively scheduled for release during December. 

Review and Critique of NASA's Elementary and Secondary Education Program: NASA offers a broad range of K-12 education programs whose goals are to improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and motivate students to pursue careers in these fields. This report evaluates the programs and recommends ways to improve them.

Grading NASA's Solar System Exploration Program: A Midterm Review, National Research Council: Evaluates the degree to which NASA's current solar system exploration program addresses the strategies, goals, and priorities outlined in previous Research Council reports.

K-12 Engineering Design Challenge

K-12 Students Design Greenhouses for NASA Astronauts, Challenger Centerfor Space Science Education

"Join the Challenger Center for Space Science Education for the NASA K-12 Engineering Design Challenge and design a plant growth chamber for use by future astronauts living and working on the Moon by November 30th. Participating teachers and students will receive space-flown basil seeds returned by Educator Astronaut Barbara Morgan, the back up to Christa McAuliffe, the first Teacher in Space, for follow-on experiments with their mini-greenhouses. Classrooms will receive a special certificate for their engineering design along with space-flown and control (non-flown) seeds for conducting scientific experiments."

Another NASA Semi-Stealth Outreach Activity

NASA 50th Anniversary Essay Competition, NASA IPP

"The Innovative Partnerships Program at NASA Headquarters, in conjunction with the Office of Education, announces the NASA 50th Anniversary Essay Competition for middle and junior high school students during the 2007-2008 academic year. The essay competition consists of two separate topics each with a limit of 500 words. The first topic challenges students to describe how they benefit in their everyday lives from aerospace technologies built by NASA over the last 50 years. The second topic requires students to imagine how their everyday lives will have changed because of NASA aerospace technology years into the future."

Editor's note: Wonderful idea. Too bad NASA IPP did not expend a lot of energy to tell everyone. Yes, this is mentioned on NASA's Education homepage and on IPP's homepage, but no press release was ever issued as far as I can tell. It does seem that a message was sent out to the NASA Education EXPRESS list too. As such only those folks who happened to visit these web pages - or are on the mailing list - would ever know this was going on. To be certain this is not a complete secret, but a little effort on IPP's part and the audience of potential participants could have been much, much larger. Why tell the news media, eh?

Challenger Center News

Challenger Center for Space Science Education Adds New Members to Board of Directors

"The Challenger Center for Space Science Education has added three new members to its board of Directors. Meeting in Alexandria, Virginia last week, the Challenger Center's sitting board welcomed its new members aboard for three year terms. Added to the board were: Leroy Chiao, Carol Staubach, and Keith Cowing. .... Commenting on the new additions to the board, Challenger Center Founding Chairman and Board member June Scobee Rodgers said: "The Challenger Center concept began during a conversation in my home among the families of Challenger. In the two decades that have followed, more than 8 million students have been inspired and enriched by the Challenger Learning Centers - and our mission has only just begun!"

Challenger Center for Space Education Founder Speaks at LSU Risk and Exploration Symposium

"Exploration reaps benefits for all involved - whether they go on the trip - or stay at home. Yet there are risks inherent in all forms of exploration that accompany these benefits. No one knows this better than June Scobee Rodgers."

Cosmology@Home

Home Computers to Help Researchers Better Undestand Universe, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

"Want to help unravel the mysteries of the universe? A new distributed computing project designed by a University of Illinois researcher allows people around the world to participate in cutting-edge cosmology research by donating their unused computing cycles. The project is called Cosmology@Home, and is similar to SETI@Home, a popular program that searches radio telescope data for evidence of extraterrestrial transmissions."

Space Education News

Challenger Center names NASA Veteran Educator, Director of Educational Programs

"The Challenger Center for Space Science is pleased announce that Rita Karl has been named Director of Educational Programs. Ms. Karl has over 20 years of national and international experience designing and directing educational programs for NASA and in U.S. international development."

2 teacher-astronauts assigned to 2008 mission, Houston Chronicle

"Two more of NASA's classroom teachers turned astronauts have been assigned to their first spaceflights. Ricky Arnold and Joe Acaba, who left teaching posts three years ago to join NASA's astronaut corps, are among seven astronauts assigned to the same assembly mission to the international space station. Scheduled for the fall of 2008, the mission will deliver the last of four solar power modules to the orbital outpost."

Days Of Future Passed

Does Star Trek Appeal To Kids Today?, TrekMovie.com

"Here are some ways I think they could make Star Trek better for kids my age. Star Trek’s vision of the future has almost become a reality, because now we see automatic doors, cell phones, and microwaves every day. Maybe when they make a new Star Trek, they should give us a new vision of the future that we haven’t seen already."

Challenger Center Update

Challenger Center at Department of Labor: Inspiring a New Generation of Aerospace Engineers

"On October 18th, the Department of Labor (DOL) invited the Challenger Center for Space Science to participate in a conference with state lieutenant governors, NASA and leaders in aerospace education and industry. Discussions sparked by keynote speaker Dr. Eric Jolly, President of the Science Museum of Minnesota focused on the need for innovative solutions to inspire and motivate today's youth in the core subject areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to meet a critical shortfall of engineers in the workforce as baby boomers begin collecting their Social Security and leaving the workforce in droves."

X Prize Pete Conrad Award Finalists

Finalists for 2007 Pete Conrad Spirit of Innovation Award

"The ten finalists for the inaugural Pete Conrad Spirit of Innovation* Award will have their ideas on display at the 2007 X PRIZE Cup. Teams of high school students from all over the United States proposed ideas that could accelerate the personal spaceflight industry. Winners will be chosen by popular vote and announced at the closing ceremonies on Sunday, October 28, at noon. The first place team will receive a $5,000 grant, followed by $2,500 for second place and $1,500 for third."

More Stealth Outreach from ESMD

NASA virtual space tour set to launch at museum, Courier Press

"A portal to the heavens is opening in the Evansville Museum's parking lot this week. Housed in at 53-foot-long semitrailer, NASA's "Vision for Space Exploration Experience" exhibition, an interactive multimedia virtual encounter with the cosmos, will settle in the museum's parking lot sometime today."

Editor's note: Great news, ESMD! I seem to have missed the press release. Gee, why tell anyone what you are doing?

An Interview With Richard Garriott

Q&A: Astronaut's Son Takes New Route to Space, Discovery News

"Who could blame Richard Garriott? He grew up in Houston, surrounded by astronauts, including his dad Owen. He wasn't particularly turned on by math and science, but he did have a sharp eye for engineering -- computer games that is. By the time he was in high school, he was earning more than his astronaut dad. He tried college, but as the game business grew, his grades flagged until finally he dropped out. Garriott, 46, is ready now to make a daring play in a game that's been building for 10 years. Unlike the quests in his medieval/fantasy series Ultima, the new gig is for real. Garriott is going to space like dear ole' dad, but he's doing it the new-fashioned way: by making out a check for $30 million."

Students Help Astronauts to Breathe Easier

Challenger Center Webcast: Students Help Astronauts to Breathe Easier on the Moon

"In the future, astronauts will use plants to provide food, oxygen, clean water and waste recycling while living on the Moon. Join the Challenger Center for Space Science Education and NASA's K-12 Engineering Design Challenge and design a mini-greenhouse for use by future astronauts living and working on the moon. Challenger Center is pleased to announce a series of live interactive chats with NASA expert space farmers on October 16th, 23rd, and 30th at 2:00 (ET) giving students and teachers the opportunity to discuss their ideas for growing plants on a future lunar base."

Direct link to webcast participation information

More Students and Teachers Experience Weightlessness

Students From 9 Countries Join For Global Celebration Of Space Age's 50th Anniversary And To Inspire Education In Science And Math Worldwide, Zero Gravity Corp

"On October 6, Students from Bahrain, Italy, Nigeria, Colombia, Czech Republic, Thailand, China, Norway and United States Celebrated Pioneers of Man's Greatest Adventure aboard Zero-Gravity Flight; Identical Weightless Flight Experience Used by NASA to Train Its Astronauts."

Editor's note: Gee, the guy with the beard (see larger photo) sure looks like Courtney Stadd ... (it is)

High School Musical Star Corbin Bleu and Los Angeles-Area Teachers Take Part in Northrop Grumman Foundation Weightless Flights of Discovery

"The Northrop Grumman Foundation launched 53 teachers from the greater Los Angeles area into weightlessness today as part of the Northrop Grumman Foundation Weightless Flights of Discovery program. The goal: To inspire and prepare the next generation of scientists, mathematicians and engineers - critical areas where the U.S. has fallen behind globally."

ISU Auction

International Space University to Host eBay Auction - Proceeds to Go Towards Scholarships

"On October 4, the 50th anniversary of the launch of Sputnik 1, the International Space University (ISU) will be conducting a 10-day auction on eBay of unusual and interesting Space-related and Sputnik/Apollo era items. Turn your office or home into a museum, dine with an astronaut, party with a movie director, attend a rocket launch, own priceless books and memorabilia, send a payload to orbit, all of these are at your finger tips through an eBay auction."

Boeing Makes a Smart Investment

Boeing Donates $10 Million to Science Education at Chicago Museums

"The donation will be split equally between Chicago's Adler Planetarium and the Museum of Science and Industry where the money will be used to create educational exhibits and programming that will inspire young people to pursue careers in areas associated with science and technology."

Education and the Next 50 Years

Science education initiatives are critical to the future of U.S. aerospace, Rep. Mark Udall, The Hill

"As chairman of the House Science and Technology Committee's Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, I see the unique role that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) plays in supporting math and science education. NASA's inspiring science, aeronautics, and human space flight and exploration missions are a natural attraction for children and students. In addition, NASA's educational initiatives can provide direct assistance to building science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills in pre-kindergarten through post-doctoral students."

Advantages of space exploration include fostering technological, economic growth, Rep. Ralph Hall, The Hill

"America's manned space exploration inspired generations of students, but we are falling behind other nations in the number of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) graduates. Congress is working to improve those numbers in a host of ways, and keeping manned space exploration a top priority is one of the best motivators we could have."

OMB Report on NASA Education, previous post

Performance - Collecting performance data consistently and annually for all program activities, reporting performance against the program's established metrics and targets, and using results to improve performance. - No action taken

Performance - Conducting independent evaluations to assess the program's effectiveness and efficiency against the program's established metrics and performance goals and applying resources based on the results. - No action taken

When Students Become Teachers

Student of Challenger Center Founder To Fly Into Space (with photos)

"The Challenger Center's Founding Chairman, Dr. June Scobee Rodgers, issued the following statement regarding Richard Garriott's upcoming flight: "We at the Challenger Center for Space Science Education were overjoyed to learn of Richard's future mission into space. This is especially exciting for me given that Richard was among the students I taught at Clear Lake High School in Houston, Texas while his father and my husband Dick Scobee were astronauts."

NASA Means Business

NASA Means Business Student Competition 2008 Program Announcement, Texas Space Grant Consortium

"The NASA Means Business Student Competition program invites undergraduate and graduate students to employ their skills to help NASA articulate the contributions of space exploration to everyday life. This year's challenge is: Help NASA to increase the number of corporate researchers, university researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors who utilize the Nation's investment in spaceflight to grow their investments in knowledge and commerce."

AIAA/NASA 21st Century Explorer Podcast Competition

Second Annual AIAA/NASA 21st Century Explorer Podcast Competition

"In 2008, NASA will celebrate its 50th anniversary. Sometimes, in order to look forward, we must take a step back to study the past. Because of this, we want to ask - What do you think is NASA's greatest exploration achievement in the past 50 years and why? That's the question this competition asks of students ages 11-18. Sponsored by the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), and in collaboration with NASA, the second annual 21st Century Explorer Podcast Competition challenges students to create unique audio and video podcasts."

Involving The Next Generation of Space Explorers

Students Chose HiRISE Camera Targets on Mars, University of Arizona

"Last week, third-grade students from Sunridge Elementary School in Phoenix, Ariz., saw their chosen spot on Mars released to the world in a new image from the High Resolution Imaging Experiment camera, known as the HiRISE camera."

High-School Teams Joining Massive Pulsar Search, National Radio Astronomy Observatory

"High school students and teachers will join astronomers on the cutting edge of science under a program to be operated by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) and West Virginia University (WVU), and funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The program, called the Pulsar Search Collaboratory, will engage West Virginia students and teachers in a massive search for new pulsars using data from the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT)."

Spreading The Weightless Experience Globally

On 50th Anniversary of Space Age, Students From 9 Countries Will Fly Weightless on Zero G Flight

"On October 6, nine exceptional students from around the world will commemorate the 50th anniversary of space age and experience weightlessness for the first time on a zero-gravity flight from McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. This flight will serve to inspire students worldwide to excel in education, demonstrate international cooperation and visibly launch humankind's next 50 years in space. The flight is part of the global celebration of United Nations-declared World Space Week, October 4-10."

OMB Report on NASA Education

OMB NASA Education Program 2007 Assessment (pdf)

Editor's note: This OMB assessment has been widely circulated within NASA. It would seem that NASA fails on program management and on achieving results.

Assessment Rating: Results Not Demonstrated

Assessment Section Scores

Program Purpose & Design - 100%
Strategic Planning - 88%
Program Management - 60%
Program Results/Accountability - 33%

Type - Improvement Plan - Action Taken

Performance - Collecting performance data consistently and annually for all program activities, reporting performance against the program's established metrics and targets, and using results to improve performance. - No action taken

Performance - Conducting independent evaluations to assess the program's effectiveness and efficiency against the program's established metrics and performance goals and applying resources based on the results. - No action taken

Budgetary - Offering opportunities not addressed by other agencies and that are unique in their use of NASA's resources and benefits to NASA's mission and collaborating with other agencies where appropriate. - No action taken

Budgetary - Avoiding duplication with other NASA education programs. - No action taken

Performance - Filling NASA's workforce needs using a stronger effort to consider eligible program participants and facilitate their entry into positions at NASA. - Action taken, but not completed

Performance - Establishing baselines for all performance metrics. - No action taken

Management - Fully execute the new education investment framework, per the framework's implementation plan, to complete the strategic alignment of the Education portfolio that best supports the Agency strategic direction and the Exploration Vision. This action is a continuation of a former follow-on action to develop the investment framework and implementation plan. - Action taken, but not completed

Pure hypocrisy from NASA's leader

The Space Economy - NASA 50th Anniversary Lecture Series - NASA Administrator Michael Griffin

"We're in a very different world today. The military and political competition has largely receded into the background; today we are primarily engaged in an economic competition. We increasingly live in a global economy where rising wealth and living standards also mean ever- heightened levels of competition from places we never before considered. There are now more software engineers in Bangalore, India than in Silicon Valley. Japan, Taiwan and South Korea generate more than one-quarter as many patents as the U.S. does each year - and their percentage is growing rapidly. The products of this innovation are all around us, in what has become a world marketplace. How many of you have a cellphone, television, or car from a U.S. manufacturer?

I don't think I need to spend more time on these points; they are superbly treated in Tom Friedman's The World is Flat, and in the report, "Rising Above the Gathering Storm", by the National Academy of Engineering. But I think the bottom line is that we all want our economy to continue to grow. We want better lives for our children. We want to be able to compete in the world. But economic growth and competitive success result primarily from the introduction of new products and services, or from finding more efficient ways to produce existing ones. Economic growth is driven by technological innovation. Societies that foster it lead the pack, while others lag behind."

Mike Griffin (apparently) Has a problem with teachers in space, earier post

"I just don't get it. Once again Mike Griffin went out of his way to diminish the history - and legacy - behind Barbara Morgan's presence on the STS-118 mission. Moments ago, in a post flight press conference, Griffin sought to reduce the media's emphasis on Barbara Morgan's global notoriety as a teacher and educator by saying "Once upon a time she was a teacher" and "Barbara Morgan is not an Educator-Astronaut".

Editor's note: Mike Griffin talks about this crisis we face - one wherein we will need the smartest, best-equipped workforce we can muster in order to compete in a global economy. So, how do you get that smart workforce? Education. So what does Mike Griffin do as Administrator? He cuts educational programs at NASA across the board. He then takes the global visibility represented by Barbara Morgan's flight - that of a teacher in space - and goes out of his way to diminish its importance.

Today, Griffin said that it is "scary" that we do not have "our own folks" (American citizens) in classrooms where so many non-American students can be found. So what does he do? He cuts education programs. Griffin also talked about inspiring kids to become a "zoologists" - about "bringing plants to another worlds" yet he has obliterated NASA's funding for such things. How can kids be inspired by something NASA no longer does?

This is pure hypocrisy from NASA's leader.

Future Leaders at AIAA

Space 2007 Events Focus on Next-Generation of Aerospace Leaders, AIAA

"Exciting interactive exhibits, including those from NASA, the U.S. Air Force, Raytheon, and The Boeing Company, will engage local students from public and private schools, grade 3 through high school. Education Alley takes place Sept 18-20, 9:30 am until 1:30 pm. Aimed at college students and recent graduates, the Future Space Leaders Networking Event introduces today's leaders to tomorrow's workforce. College students from local area universities, recent college hires and entry-level managers from government, industry and academia, along with SPACE 2007 registrants, will attend the Tuesday, Sept 18 event at 5:00 pm in the Grand Ballroom. Speakers include Roger Krone of Boeing Network & Space Systems, Debra Facktor-Lepore of Air Launch LLC, Mike Mealing of Masten Space, Alan Ladwig of Whitney, Bradley & Brown, Inc. and Dr. Woodrow Whitlow of NASA Glenn Research Center."

Goddard's New Magazine

NASA GSFC Solicitation: NASA Inspire Magazine: A Mass Media Solution Designed to Reach and Inspire The Next Generation of Space Explorers, NASA GSFC

"This notice is issued by the NASA/GSFC to post an RFI via the internet, soliciting interest from potential parties interested in providing a national children's outreach publication named NASA's INSPIRE magazine. NASA's INSPIRE magazine will be a mass media solution designed to reach and inspire the next generation of explorers. This magazine will reach numerous middle students, their teachers and their families in order to fulfill NASA's future efforts of having the manpower to fulfill our mission to go back to the moon and onto the surface of Mars."

CosmoCam

CosmoCam Flight Completed

"CosmoCam recently flew on a NASA strato-balloon. The payload is the High Altitude Student Platform (HASP) out of Louisiana State University. The flight was launched from Ft. Sumner, New Mexico).HASP Flight #2 has ended. It will take a few days to get the flight video posted (lots of video!). The live video (and controls) and archived video are online at www.cosmocam.com"

Why Be Accurate?

Students Go for Launch

"A group of high school students from Wendover, Utah, is learning that life presents more opportunities than any of them ever thought possible. The students are members of the NASA Club at Wendover High School, a NASA Explorer Schools team since 2004. The NES project and the NASA Club have opened many doors for Wendover students, including seeing science experiments they designed launch into space on rockets."

Editor's note: Nice article. Alas, NASA has ignored the fact that these students only attended this event due to generosity of NASA Watch readers - most notably the IFPTE. The impression you are left from reading this NASA version of events is that NASA paid for the trip. Oh well. Why be accurate? I think it says a lot about the space community and NASA employees that they chipped in to pay for a trip for a bunch of kids none of them had ever met.

Help These Students See Their Experiment Launched

"Dear NASA Watch, My name is Carolyn Bushman. I teach at Wendover High School, Utah's only NASA Explorer School. ... this year I'm facing a similar dilemma Due to cut backs the sub-sem is no longer happening, but the NES brought my attention to a new opportunity of having an experiment flown out of New Mexico. My students submitted an experiment and got it accepted. ... I petitioned to the district to allow the trip to happen. On Tuesday, I received word that the trip can happen if I raise the money."

Trip Report: Miss Bushman's Class Has A NASA Rocket Adventure in New Mexico

"I just want to thank you for giving us money. Without you this trip wouldn't be possible. I think we will do a fine job telling people about our experiences at the NASA Family night in our school. We just hope we inspire students to stay in school and become something in life. I am going to personally tell people to join the NASA Club so they can one day go on a trip like I did and see how fun it is to go on this adventures that you may only see one for the rest of your life. Thank you so much for what you have done. I hope you enjoy reading my story that I just typed. I hope that students will become more interested in these kinds of trips."

Letter: IFPTE makes Donation To Utah School For Student Trip to White Sands

Going Outside the U.S. To Meet U.S. Education Needs

NASA and Mad Science Partner to Promote Science Education

"NASA and the Mad Science Group of Montreal, Canada, have teamed in an effort to spark the imagination of children, encouraging more youth to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math. The two organizations recently signed a Space Act Agreement, officially launching the development of the Academy of Future Space Explorers."

Editor's note: If you have read NASA Watch recently you will note that I have been hammering NASA over its lack of focus on education of the next generation of space explorers. As such, such an announcement is most welcome and further such agreements should be encouraged. That said - and couched in the context that 1.) my SpaceRef business partner is Canadian, 2.) that I support and participate in a research project located in Canada, and 3.) that I fervently believe in taking a global approach to space exploration, I still have to wonder why it is that NASA felt the need to go outside the borders of the United States to utilize a company to accomplish such a task as is outlined in this press release. Why did they do so when so much latent and untapped capability resides here within the U.S? Especially when so many Congressional earmarks often call for the same sort of tasks to be accomplished. Maybe someone will explain this to me.

Reader note: "Here is my response: Mad Science Group is made up of 220 franchisees, most of them (75%) are in United States.  We are the ONLY science organization in United States that has daily contact with about 5 million children in venues such as public and private schools, libraries and recreation centers.  We are the ONLY science company that make science fun, and that is exactly why NASA has chosen Mad Science. My company, my franchise: Mad Science of Long Island is American, not Canadian. - Claudio Superville, Mad Science of Long Island, www.madscienceli.org"

Editor's note: I stand (partially corrected) on the U.S. Vs Canadian issue. Yet, with regard to Mr. Superville's claim: "We are the ONLY science company that make science fun, and that is exactly why NASA has chosen Mad Science" , this has to be the most absurd, unsubtantiated, and arrogant claim I have heard anyone make this week! I would certainly hope that this company's other franchise holders are a little more humble - and less prone to bragging - especially when the claims cannot be proven (not the best lesson to be teaching).

Hire This Kid

$1256 Microwulf Supercomputer Smaller Than Bread Box, Runs At 26.25 Gigaflops, Oh Gizmo!

"Do you ever suffer from computer-related performance anxiety? If so, you’re definitely not alone, and Calvin College student Tim Brom has the cure: a built-from-scratch 26.25 gigaflops supercomputer that runs off one standard wall outlet, will fit on your desk, and cost less than $2500 to build in 2006 (building a copy today would cost only $1256)."

A Great Program Gets Even Better

Photo Release -- New Orleans and Mississippi Teachers Get a Lesson in Weightlessness as Part of Northrop Grumman Foundation Weightless Flights of Discovery

Photo Release -- Texas Teachers Get a Lesson in Weightlessness as Part of Northrop Grumman Foundation Weightless Flights of Discovery

Science Teachers Take Flight in Zero-Gravity as Part of Northrop Grumman Foundation Weightless Flights of Discovery

"The Northrop Grumman Foundation kicked off the second year of its Weightless Flights of Discovery Program today, flying 57 teachers in Dallas, with another 58 scheduled to fly in New Orleans on Aug. 30. These are the first of the flights in eight cities planned as part of the company's program to inspire the next generation of scientists, mathematicians and engineers -- critical areas where the U.S. has fallen behind globally."

Night Sky Network Outreach Toolkit

NASA GSFC Solicitation: Night Sky Network Outreach Toolkit

"NASA/GSFC intends to purchase the services from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) for the acquisition of supplies or services reasonably available from one source. This vendor is the only organization that creates outreach kits for amateur astronomy clubs located across the country."

Night Sky Network, Astronomical Society of the Pacific

"Amateur astronomy clubs dedicated to sharing astronomy with the public are invited to apply for membership in the NASA Night Sky Network (http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/), a free program specifically designed for amateur astronomy clubs that puts great resources right into your hands."

Editor's note: I think that this is great news that GSFC is getting involved in something like this and they should be commended for doing so. Yet I am a little confused. According to the NASA JPL Night Sky Network FAQ "Membership in the Night Sky Network is free." ... "The Night Sky Network is sponsored and supported by JPL's PlanetQuest public engagement program. PlanetQuest is a part of JPL's Navigator Program... The Origins Education Forum, based at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, is an association of the education and public outreach programs of the NASA missions seeking to understand and characterize the origins of the universe, planets, and life."

If this activity is free - and NASA JPL and the STScI (in Maryland) are already involved, why does GSFC have to procure anything? Can't they just sign up like everyone else? Can't JPL and GSFC work together on this - and invite all other NASA field centers to do so as well? Indeed, why does this need to be done on a center-by center basis? Everyone can see the sky. Shouldn't NASA HQ's Strategic Communications' Education organization be doing this for NASA - as an agency?

More History To Be Destroyed in Huntsville

Editor's note:In order to display their Saturn V, the folks U.S. Space & Rocket Center (USSRC) in Huntsville are going to remove the star grain "mass dummy" located inside the Apollo Launch Escape System (LES) and discard it. According to a local source "The thing is so similar to the actual fuel, it shows up the same on a mass spectrometer." These photos (below) show the motor (full of star shape propellant simulant) that they are going to destroy.

Reader note: "Looks like it's now too late. The LES is mounted back on the Apollo Boilerplate in the new museum. What a loss."

According to another local source "One important point: this Apollo boilerplate and LES belong to the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum - not the USSRC. If the Smithsonian wants to save it they need to act fast. Because this hardware was sitting at MSFC for 30 years or more, NASA MSFC traded it with the USSRC for the last NERVA motor (complete with turbo pumps) for use by NASA's advanced propulsion team.  No one talked to NASM about this."

The Continued Rotting of Skylab, earlier post

Close to Space: Not As Hard As You Might Think