Engaging Students, Educators and the Public in Exploring the Moon, Mars and Beyond
- Paper number
IAC-06-E1.5.05
- Author
Ms. Debbie Ladwig, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), United States
- Coauthor
Ms. Patricia Currier, United States
- Coauthor
Ms. Loretta Hidalgo, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Derek Wang, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Headquarters, United States
- Year
2006
- Abstract
The Exploration Systems Mission Directorate’s (ESMD) Communications Office is engaging students, educators, and the general public in The Vision for Space Exploration through a portfolio of strategic investments and partnerships. Our higher education initiatives offer exciting opportunities for undergraduate, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows to participate in existing NASA student research programs. In addition new hands-on engineering and exploration system themed internships and training experiences will be offered through NASA, academia, and industry partners. Centennial Challenges, ESMD’s innovative prize program, offer a unique means for students to practice their engineering and science skills in a collaborative team environment while addressing real-world exploration challenges. Elementary and secondary students will continue building proficiency in STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) through exciting and realistic simulations of NASA exploration mission design activities. Strategic partnerships are being developed with formal and informal education organizations that have pre-established national distribution networks thereby enhancing NASA’s reach to all audiences. A new area of emphasis includes after school programming. ESMD has been able to engage general public audiences by presenting at non-traditional venues, such as NASCAR, Home and Garden Shows, and professional sports events such as X-Games, allowing ordinary citizens to experience space exploration in a novel yet personal way. Using new communications tools and techniques, such as podcasting and text-messaging, ESMD will become better connected with today’s technologically savvy audiences. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) is scheduled for launch in 2008 and marks ESMD' first opportunity to fully engage the public in an interactive and real time lunar mission. Special events and education activities that capitalize on the excitement of a mission to the moon are already in development. As NASA charts a new path towards exploring the moon, Mars, and beyond the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate is not only designing and building a new generation of spacecraft, but also engaging and educating the next generation of explorers.
- Abstract document