This Feed Tab contains announcements - posts - about activities, events, and resources of the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) Education and Communications Community and related news of interest.
To find specific content, select Posts or Calendar Events in the left sidebar and type in a keyword to narrow your search. The "Topics" Tab is another place to find content; similar content is grouped together and presented as individual topics.
Planetary scientists and astrobiologists, Science Activation team members, and Informal Educators are invited to apply to attend a 2023 Culturally Inclusive Planetary Engagement professional development workshop.
The next Planetary ReaCH workshop is in New Orleans June 8-10, and the application deadline is May 8. We have travel stipends. Apply now!
- June 8 – 10, 2023; Tulane University, New Orleans
- June 22 – 24, 2023; SETI Institute, Mountain View, CA
- Aug 17 – 19, 2023; Pérez Art Museum, Miami, FL
- Nov 2 – 4, 2023; Puerto Rico
For more information, please contact Andy Shaner (shaner@lpi.usra.edu).
Request for Information: DRAFT Federal Strategy to Advance an Integrated U.S. Greenhouse Gas Monitoring and Information System (GHGMIS) Released for Review and Public Comment Number: NNH23ZDA009L Response Date: April 19, 2023
Short Direct URL: https://go.nasa.gov/USGGMIDraftFederalStrategy
This post announces the release of 1) a draft interagency report entitled, “Federal Strategy to Advance an Integrated U.S. Greenhouse Gas Monitoring and Information System” (GHGMIS Strategy) and 2) an associated GHGMIS Strategy Request for Information (RFI) on the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES). These documents may be located using the direct link above.
Both documents have been published
Friday, July 22
4 p.m. EDT / 3 p.m. CDT / 2 p.m. MDT / 1 p.m. PDT
Learn about a variety of versatile, hands-on activities that scientists can use to engage different audiences in planetary science. All planetary scientists (including researchers, engineers, and graduate students) are invited to join to discuss effective strategies and share your experiences and favorite activities. Speakers include Amelia Chapman (NASA JPL) who helps run NASA’s Museum and Informal Education Alliance’s community of practice, Eve Klein (Institute for Learning Innovation) whose programs help organizations connect public audiences with local research through dialogue with scientists, and
NASA is sending spacecraft to study objects throughout the solar system! With support from the ChemCam instrument team on the Mars Curiosity mission, the LPI is hosting informational webinars for students and early career researchers who have an interest in becoming involved in current or future planetary missions. Undergraduate and graduate students, postdocs, and early career scientists are invited to join us for a discussion of how to prepare, both academically and professionally, for a career in mission science. We will also share opportunities for getting involved!
Each virtual event features a panel of mentors and mission scientists who will
NSF Survey Researcher Fellowship
https://zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/NSF-NCSES-2022-0002
The National Science Foundation (NSF), National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) provides policy makers and the public high-quality information on the science and engineering enterprise.
What will I be doing?
As part of the fellowship, you will identify or draft measurement items, test these measures, and ultimately field a fully tested questionnaire on an online panel of respondents to generate data for a future Public Perceptions of Science (PPS) chapter in NCSES Science and Engineering Indicators (SEIs). You will draft measurements of a respondent’s: level of science literacy, exposure to science, science information-seeking
The Radio JOVE Project announces Radio JOVE 2.0, a new radio astronomy telescope kit for beginner and advanced
citizen scientists to observe radio emissions from the Sun, Jupiter, the Milky Way, and Earth-based sources.
Visit The Radio JOVE Project to find out how to participate.
Just a reminder: the deadline for submitting abstracts to the Advancing IDEA in Planetary Science virtual conference is Feb 23. Details about this conference were in this post, and can be found at https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/advancingidea2022.
The conference is scheduled for April 25–29, 2022.
Purpose and Scope
Recently, there has been a transformation of thought in the planetary and astrobiological sciences regarding the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA). NASA and other planetary science stakeholders have committed to fostering IDEA principles throughout their agencies and funded programs. NASA has added language to standard Announcements of Opportunity, requested information
The Astronomical Society welcomes nominations for its awards for astronomy education. The following awards will be given in 2022.
1) The RICHARD H. EMMONS AWARD for excellence in college astronomy teaching. This is a lifetime award designed to honor those whose careers have made a difference in the education of undergraduates, particularly the teaching of introductory astronomy for non-science majors. Previous winners include Ed Prather, Chris Impey, and Charles Tolbert.
For guidelines and to make a nomination, go to: https://astrosociety.org/who-we-are/awards/richard-h-emmons-award.html/title/nomination-guidelines
2) The KLUMPKE-ROBERTS AWARD for outstanding contributions to the public understanding and appreciation of astronomy.
The 53rd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC) will be held as a hybrid conference on March 7–11, 2022. With in-person and global virtual participation, attendees will have the opportunity to share their research and network with colleagues. Planetary scientists, educators, and communication specialists are invited to submit an abstract for the Education and Public Engagement poster session at LPSC 2022.
Abstract Submission Information
A complete list of 2022 topics and submission instructions can be found at the Abstract Submission page of the conference website.
Abstract submission deadline: January 11, 2022
We are happy to share the new National Informal STEM Education Network (NISE Network) professional development guide designed to help informal educators find, prepare, and work with STEM experts to engage with the public.
Sincere thanks to all the NASA SciAct colleagues who
contributed to the content featured in the guide and reviewed draft sections!
The guide is available for free download on the NISE Network website:
Sharing Planetary Science: Engaging Children
Tuesday, October 19, 3:00 p.m. CDT
All planetary scientists and engineers, including early career scientists and graduate students, are invited to join us on October 19 at 3:00 p.m. CDT for this free seminar. Many scientists are less experienced in interacting with young audiences. Join Sha’Rell Webb (LPI Public Engagement Lead), Vivian White (Astronomical Society of the Pacific’s Director of Free Choice Learning) and Christine Shupla (LPI Education and Public Engagement Manager) to practice strategies for engaging children in planetary science.
For more details, or information on past Sharing Planetary Science sessions, go to
Saturday, October 16 is International Observe the Moon Night! You are invited to join observers around the world in learning about lunar science and exploration, making celestial observations, and honoring cultural and personal connections to the Moon. This annual, worldwide public engagement event takes place when the Moon is close to first quarter – a great phase for evening observing.
You can participate in International Observe the Moon Night from wherever you are. Attend or host a virtual or in-person event, or join in as an individual observer. However you choose to observe, please follow local guidelines on
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The Lunar and Planetary Institute's Cosmic Exploration Speaker Series presents:
The Adventures of OSIRIS-REx: Journey to Asteroid Bennu and Daring Sample Return
Thursday, October 7, 7:00 p.m. (CDT)
In the year 2135, the asteroid, Bennu, will make a close approach to Earth. Although this near-Earth object will not pose a danger to our planet at that time, Bennu is considered a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA). In 2016, NASA sent the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft to Bennu. After spending more than two years gathering critical information about the asteroid, OSIRIS-REx is now on its way home, carrying a precious sample of rock and
The Lunar and Planetary Institute's Virtual Exploration Experiences with Planetary Scientists (VEEPS) presents
Venus: Cloudy with a Chance of Lava Flows
Wednesday, September 22, 6:00 p.m. CDT
Why is Venus so different from Earth? Despite being our closest neighbor in the solar system, we still have a lot to learn about this mysterious planet. Venus’ super-hot surface is cloaked in thick clouds that make it difficult to observe. Recently, NASA selected two missions that will study Venus’ surface and atmosphere. Families and children are invited to join us on September 22 for an exciting VEEPS program! Our guest scientist, Dr.
Over the years, I have published topical guides to useful resources for astronomy education on a variety of websites, inculding those of several NASA projects. I got a request recently to consolidate the current guides in one convenient place, so people can find the (darn) things.
So I have given each current guide a short URL and listed them all on one sheet.
You can find the list now at: http://bit.ly/fraknoiguides
New among them are:
1. An updated guide to the work of women in astronomy that includes more people of color
2. A guide to copyright-free images of all
We would like to share about the New York Academy of Sciences’ Scientist-in-Residence program (SIR), which pairs science mentors with NYC public school educators and supports them in creating and implementing a year-long research project.
SiR is open to graduate students, postdocs, and STEM professionals who are interested in volunteering in a classroom, mentoring students and sharing their passion for the sciences.
Important links:
Website: www.nyas.org/sir
Application deadline (July 16th, 2021): https://gsa.smapply.io/prog/mentor_
Attached is a flyer with more details. Interested individuals can also contact Adrienne Umali at aumali@nyas.org if they have any additional questions.
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What are the tools needed for collecting samples? What is the training needed to prepare for this type of exploration? Hear and learn from Kelsey Young, a research space scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, and Trevor Graff, who has participated in five Mars missions and is the chief scientist at NASA Johnson Space Center’s Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science Division, who are on the front lines planning, designing tools, and developing methods and science objectives for astronauts to collect samples on the Moon and eventually Mars. The program is hosted and co-produced by John “Das” Galloway,
Happy Monday! Just a note to remind y'all about the many exciting NASA-related events in CitSciVirtual still ahead this month!
https://citizenscience.org/home/events/conferences/citscivirtual/
May 11, 1:30-3pm ET "Understanding your air quality using available sensor and satellite data" Karmann Mills (RTI International), et al.
May 12, 12-1:30pm ET "Understanding your air quality using available sensor and satellite data" Karmann Mills (RTI International), et al.
May 12, 2:30-3:30 pm ET, poster session 6B: Rose Snyder, Point Blue Conservation Science, et al., The Soundscapes to Landscapes project: Development of a bioacoustics-based bird diversity monitoring workflow that involves citizen scientists (#128)
May 14,
Announcing CitSciCon!
May 21 and May 22, 2021 8:00am Pacific |11:00am Eastern - 4:00pm Pacific | 7:00pm Eastern
Free, open-door, series of online, interactive events for the public featuring 10 minute talks from most of NASA's citizen science projects, and exciting guest speakers like Phil Plait, Chis Lintott, Science Friday and more!
Come to scistarter.org/NASA and preregister! Please help us spead the word to your community!
This first-of-its-kind online event series invites everyone, everywhere to discover fun and important ways to help NASA do scientific research.
NASA scientists collaborate with citizen scientists - members of the public who volunteer their
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Please share with your K-12 Education Networks
GBH Science Activation Webinar: Strategies for Supporting English Learners in Science – Grades 6–12
March 25, 2021; 7–8 pm ET
Webinar Objectives:
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Explore principles for engaging English learners in science instruction
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Learn about GBH’s Bringing the Universe to America’s Classrooms collection of Earth, space, and physical science resources, produced in collaboration with NASA, and how to use them to support English learners in your classroom
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Hear teachers’ perspectives on the impact of digital media to support science instruction with English learners
Register here: https://wgbh.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cpq2RaA7TvOpEi13wuhz4w
Please join us for an interactive discussion of design
Please share with your K-12 Education networks.
GBH Webinar: Strategies for Supporting English Learners in Science - Grades K-5
March 23, 2021; 7-8pm ET
Webinar Objectives:
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Explore principles for engaging English learners in science instruction
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Learn about GBH’s Bringing the Universe to America’s Classrooms Earth, space and physical science resources, produced in collaboration with NASA, and how to use them to support English learners in your classroom
-
Hear teachers’ perspectives on the impact of digital media to support science instruction with English learners
Register here: https://wgbh.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NUlHNxaMTdSmMcH9W2D_Rg
Please join us for an interactive discussion of design principles for engaging English learners
NASA’s new Planetary Analogs website introduces planetary analog field work to broad audiences. Verbal and visual storytelling convey Earth’s role in helping scientists to understand our solar system’s past, present, and future. Visit the site: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/planetary-analogs.
Initial content, published in February 2021, emphasizes geologic analogs. Examples of mission analogs and astrobiology analogs, with links to existing NASA websites focused on these topics, are also featured. Future content will include additional interactive galleries and written science coverage. Community members who are interested in contributing photos of NASA-funded planetary analog field work to be featured on this site are encouraged to
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Convener: Manoj Nair (manoj.c.nair@noaa.gov)
Co-Conveners: Edgar Bering (spacephy@Central.UH.EDU) | Raju Sakar (rajusarkar.cst@rub.edu.bt) | Hannah Rogers (h.f.rogers@sms.ed.ac.uk) | Tereza Kameníková (kamenitka@gmail.com)
This symposium calls for papers describing innovations in geoscience instruction methods, citizen science initiatives and community learning efforts. Papers are welcome on all aspects of education and citizen-science including methodology, data collection, data analysis, non-traditional areas of curriculum, case studies etc. In particular we invite contributions related to the use of machine learning, big data analysis and virtual reality (VR) applications in citizen science and education. We also encourage submissions
Join the NASA eClips Team at the Virtual Children's Engineering Convention to learn how to use remote engineering and collaborate virtually to design and test spaghetti towers. Participants will learn by doing. We will model how to use the 7E model, the engineering design process, and virtual collaboration like NASA scientists and engineers.
Learn more about the 25th Annual Children's Engineering Convention.
Making Our Way to Mars: Journey Through Space with NASA Astronauts
1-2 pm EST, February 17, 2021
Livestream open to all! Tune in on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zRuSZxLCgm4
Event webpage: https://stemaction.usra.edu/programs/making-our-way-to-mars/event-lineup/journey-through-space-with-nasa-astronauts/
Perseverance, NASA's newest and most advanced rover, is on target to land on Mars on February 18, 2021. How did it get there and what might it reveal about our nearest planetary neighbor?
Join NASA astronauts Mary Cleave, Paul Richards, and Alvin Drew on a virtual field trip from Earth to Mars with stops in between to learn how this mission got off the ground and why it’s so
