NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Live Video Chat: Robonaut Technology Aboard the Space Station(Grades 5-12)
NASA Explorer Schools is offering students in grades 6-12 an opportunity to ask questions of CJ Kanelakos, a mechanical design engineer working on Robonaut 2, or R2. Join the video chat on May 18, 2012, from 1-2 p.m. EDT to ask Kanelakos questions about designing, testing and building a lower body for R2 that will enable it to be more mobile on the space station. This event is open to all students, not just those who attend schools participating in the NASA Explorer Schools project.

Free Webinar -- Rocket Scientists Write?(Grades K-12)
The Aerospace Education Services Project is presenting a free hourlong webcast on May 21, 2012, at 6 p.m. EDT. Aerospace education specialist John Weis will demonstrate language arts activities using NASA materials and lessons found within NASA educator guides. Materials discussed will cover reading comprehension and composition for grades K-12. Lesson plans and strategies will be shared.

Digital Learning Network Webcast: Learn More About the Upcoming Transit of Venus (All Grade Levels)
Educators and students are invited to join NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center for a Digital Learning Network webcast to learn more about the upcoming transit of Venus. The webcast event will take place on May 23, 2012, at 1 p.m. EDT. Astronomer Louis Mayo, as well as other guests, will share information on the scientific significance of the transit as well as education resources for teachers and students. To learn more about the transit, visit the Sun-Earth Day website at http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2012/about/about.php.

Live Video Chat: Mia Siochi: The Amazing World of Nanomaterials(Grades 9-12)
In recognition of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, NASA Explorer Schools is offering students in grades 9-12 an opportunity to ask questions of Mia Siochi, a research materials engineer working on nanotechnology, self-healing materials and other emerging aerospace materials and systems of the future. Join the video chat on May 23, 2012, from noon-1 p.m. EDT. This event is open to all students, not just those who attend schools participating in the NASA Explorer Schools project.

Ultraviolet Radiation and Yeast: Radiation Biology Web Seminar(Grades 9-12 and Informal)
NASA Explorer Schools and the National Science Teachers Association are hosting a 90-minute live professional development Web seminar for educators on May 23, 2012, at 8:15 p.m. EDT. The student activity featured in this seminar demonstrates the effects of radiation on living organisms. Learn how sun-screening materials protect live yeast cells from harmful ultraviolet, or UV, radiation and countermeasures for UV radiation and discuss phenotypic changes in yeast as a result of radiation damage.

Free Webinar -- Sun-Earth-Moon Relationships(Grades K-8)
The Aerospace Education Services Project is presenting a free 90-minute webcast on May 24, 2012, at 4:30 p.m. EDT. Aerospace education specialist Rick Varner will introduce sun-Earth-moon models that help to explain the phases of the moon and both lunar and solar eclipses. Additionally, the activity "Kinesthetic Astronomy" will be introduced for its explanation of the seasons.

Free Webinar -- Toys in Space(Grades K-12)
The Aerospace Education Services Project is presenting a free hourlong webcast on May 24, 2012, at 7 p.m. EDT. Aerospace education specialist Steve Culivan will share NASA's Toys in Space videos and activities. In this program, astronauts took toys from around the world with them into space. Students predict, observe and record how the toys behave without the effects of Earth's gravity, putting Newton's Laws of Motion to the test. Participants will receive copies of the astronaut videos for use in the classroom.

Free Lecture -- John Glenn: Earning the Right Stuff as a Decorated Marine Aviator and Navy Test Pilot(All Grade Levels)
How did John Glenn get "the right stuff?" Before he was an astronaut, John Glenn earned six Distinguished Flying Crosses as a United States Marine Corps aviator in World War II and the Korean conflict, and also flew as a naval test pilot. On May 24, 2012, National Air and Space Museum Director Jack Dailey will join Glenn for a discussion of his career-defining moments. The lecture begins at 8 p.m. at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. The lecture will be webcast live.

Derivatives: Math and Science @ Work -- Space Shuttle Auxiliary Power Units Web Seminar(Grades 9-12 and Informal)
NASA Explorer Schools and the Learning Environments and Research Network, or LEARN, projects are hosting a 60-minute live professional development Web seminar for educators on May 30, 2012, at 8 p.m. EDT. The Space Shuttle Auxiliary Power Units student activity featured in this seminar is a problem set from the Mission Control series of NASA's Math and Science @ Work project. Attendees will work the problem set and share best practices for implementing this problem set into the classroom.

Electronic Professional Development Network Course: Engage and Educate -- Podcasts in the Classroom(Grades K-12)
Sign up for this free online five-week course that begins on May 30, 2012. Learn how podcasts can be integrated in classroom lessons to engage students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, disciplines. The benefits, as well as the obstacles, of podcasts will be discussed. Participants will learn how to create their own podcasts using NASA resources. This course is designed for beginners with little or no experience with podcasts.

Chemistry of Water: Math and Science @ Work -- A Breath of Fresh Air Web Seminar (Grades 9-12 and Informal)
NASA Explorer Schools and the National Science Teachers Association invite educators to attend a 90-minute live professional development Web seminar on May 31, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Learn how to implement a chemistry lab activity called "A Breath of Fresh Air." During the activity, students create their own electrolysis apparatus to generate oxygen and use a Texas Instruments TI-Nspire calculator to collect data. Note: You do not need to have a TI-Nspire calculator during this professional development.

NASA Earth Day Video Contest 2012(All Grade Levels)
NASA is challenging the public to create a compelling video vision of NASA's exploration of Earth -- The Home Frontier. To enter, produce a short video that captures what you find inspiring and important about the unique view and understanding of Earth provided by NASA science. The winning entry will be featured on the NASA website, and the winner will receive a behind-the-scenes look at the next rocket launch of a NASA Earth-observing satellite. Entries are due May 31, 2012.

2012 Educate to Innovate Conference(Grades 5-12)
NASA’s Aerospace Education Services Project and the Kentucky Southeast-Southcentral Education Cooperative are presenting two Educate to Innovate opportunities in June 2012. These conference workshops will explore engineering design challenges, problem-based learning activities, distance-learning modules, inquiry-based lessons, literacy across the curriculum and hands-on projects. The registration deadline for these events is May 31, 2012.

Expeditions 33 and 34 In-flight Education Downlink Opportunities(Grades 5-12)
NASA is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host live, in-flight education downlinks during Expeditions 33 and 34 (September 2012 to March 2013). Downlinks last about 20 minutes and allow students and educators to interact with astronauts through a question-and-answer session. NASA is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the downlinks into well-developed education plans. Proposals are due June 1, 2012.

2012 Summer Workshops -- Climate Science Research for Educators and Students (Grades 9-12)
The Climate Science Research for Educators and Students project is seeking applicants for its 2012 summer workshops. The first of two workshops will take place in New York City in late June or early July 2012. The workshop will focus on understanding sun/Earth/atmosphere interactions, and participants will build instruments called pyranometers, which monitor solar radiation. A follow-up workshop will take place in August and can be attended in person or online. Applications are due June 1, 2012.

Engineering Design: Forces and Motion -- The Great Boomerang Challenge Web Seminar (Grades 9-12 and Informal)
NASA Explorer Schools and the National Science Teachers Association are hosting a free 90-minute professional development Web seminar on June 4, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Learn how NASA aerodynamics research can be used to improve boomerang design. Participants will be introduced to the Boomerang Design Challenge and learn how to incorporate this activity into science classes. Two extensions featuring free computer simulations that teach students about airflow around airfoils will also be shared.

Algebraic Equations: Transit Tracks -- Finding Habitable Planets Web Seminar (Grades 9-12 and Informal)
NASA Explorer Schools and the Learning Environments and Research Network, or LE&RN, projects are hosting a 60-minute live professional development Web seminar for educators on June 5, 2012, at 8 p.m. EDT. Discover how an algebra activity called "Finding Habitable Planets" will help you teach students to use their skills to analyze NASA data. Students learn about the possibility of discovering planets in habitable zones of solar systems.

Sun-Earth Day Webcast to Commemorate Venus Transit (All Grade Levels)
NASA's Sun-Earth Day team and NASA EDGE will celebrate the Transit of Venus with a live webcast on June 5, 2012, from Hawaii. Observers will see the Transit of Venus from the summit on Mauna Kea providing a wonderful view of the entire transit. Viewers will be able to see real-time images of the transit for the duration of the event in various wavelengths of light; images from the Solar Dynamics Observatory and the International Space Station will provide more unique observations of the transit during the webcast.

Free Lecture -- Seeking Planets Like Earth (All Grade Levels)
Transiting planets are special, because scientists can determine their bulk density and can even observe their atmospheres. On June 5, 2012, join astronomer Dave W. Latham as he discusses his studies of transiting planets and how we can use them to find rocky worlds similar to the Earth. The lecture begins at 8 p.m. at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Come early to see a free film and to meet the lecturer. The lecture will be webcast live.

2012 National Community College Aerospace Scholars Program (Higher Education)
National Community College Aerospace Scholars, or NCAS, is an interactive, online learning experience featuring engineering career possibilities. It is highlighted by an on-site experience where selected students interact with engineers at NASA. NCAS is open to community college students across the U.S. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have access to the Internet. The application deadline is June 6, 2012.

National Space Biomedical Research Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (Higher Education)
The National Space Biomedical Research Institute, or NSBRI, Postdoctoral Fellowship Program provides support for postdoctoral fellows in any U.S. laboratory carrying out space-related biomedical or biotechnological research. Funding is for a two-year period with an option for a third year of support. Applicants must prepare proposals with the support of a mentor, and all proposals are evaluated by a peer-review panel. Applications are due June 8, 2012.

NASA CAE (Center for Astronomy Education) Astronomy 101 Teaching Excellence Workshop in Anchorage, Alaska (Higher Education)
The goal of this CAE workshop is for participants to become familiar with research-validated active engagement teaching strategies and assessment materials, as well as how to implement them in their college courses, through role-playing, modeling, practice and more! The workshop is designed for college instructors, postdocs and graduate students currently teaching or preparing to teach introductory astronomy and space science. The session will be held June 9-10, 2012, at the Marriott Downtown in Anchorage, Alaska.

NASA CAE (Center for Astronomy Education) Advanced Special Topics Workshop: Using Technology in the Classroom (Higher Education)
In this CAE workshop, participants will explore a variety of technologies that enable astronomy and space science instructors to engage students and provide feedback efficiently using multiple computer simulations, computerized databases of think-pair-share questions, and a library of animated ranking and sorting tasks. Participants are expected to have previously attended a CAE Tier I Workshop. CAE is funded through the NASA JPL Exoplanet Exploration Program. The session will be held June 10, 2012, at the Marriott Downtown in Anchorage, Alaska.

Teachers Touch the Sky: An Astronomy Workshop (Grades K-12)
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., is hosting a week-long educator workshop in August 2012 for educators of grades 3-9. This workshop will focus on space science and astronomy. Attendees will learn about NASA education materials, including hands-on activities based on current projects. Participants will take a field trip to JPL's Table Mountain Observatory, tour JPL's facilities and to talk to real scientists about their work. Registration closes on June 15, 2012.

NASA G.I.R.L.S. Mentoring Project (Grades 5-8)
NASA is looking for the next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators. To jump start the future of potential explorers, Women@NASA has created a mentoring project that offers a unique experience for middle school girls. The project will feature one-on-one mentoring from women working at NASA. Applicants must be U.S. citizens in grades 5-8 or home-school equivalent. The mentoring project will take place over a five-week period during the summer. Applications are due June 15, 2012.

2012 NASA's Multiwavelength Universe Online Professional Development Course (Grades 5-12)
Several NASA missions that are exploring the universe across the electromagnetic spectrum are sponsoring an online course for in-service and pre-service teachers of middle- and high-school students. Participants will learn to use astronomical examples (images, phenomena, telescopes) to describe the nature of light and color in terms of the regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Academic credit is offered through Sonoma State University. The course will take place June 25 - July 13, 2012. Enrollment is limited to 25 participants. Auditors may be accommodated on a space-available basis.

Free Lecture -- NASA's Legacy and Future: Personal Reflections of a Space Flyer(All Educators)
On June 27, 2012, NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden Jr. will be the speaker for the 2012 John H. Glenn Lecture. Administrator Bolden will reflect on his career as a Marine aviator, a space shuttle pilot and commander and his leadership of America's space agency. His insights will provide a timely window into his own experiences and the future of space exploration. The lecture begins at 8 p.m. at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. The lecture will be webcast live.

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station Contact Opportunity (All Grade Levels)
NASA is now accepting proposals from U.S. schools, museums, science centers and community youth organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station contact between Nov. 1, 2012, and May 1, 2013. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, NASA is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan. Radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length. Proposals are due July 2, 2012.

Electronic Professional Development Network Course: Technology Integration -- Vodcasts(Grades K-12)
Sign up for this free online five-week course that begins on July 11, 2012. Participants will use various audio and video editing software tools to create video podcasts, or vodcasts. Each participant will begin by creating an enhanced podcast and build up to a vodcast through the creation of video and audio files. During the course, you will examine and use many of the NASA public domain resources for infusing science, technology, engineering and mathematics concepts into your projects.

Earth Science Information Partners Federation Summer Meeting 2012(Grades 5-12)
The Federation of Earth Science Information Partners, or ESIP, invites teachers to attend a 1.5-day workshop on earth science education, with an integral strand dedicated to climate change education. Participants will be able to choose from several breakout sessions demonstrating ways that earth science tools and data can be used in science classrooms. This summer's workshop will take place July 17-18, 2012, at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

Electronic Professional Development Network Course: Using Robotics to Enhance STEM Learning(Grades 5-12)
Sign up for this free online, six-week course that begins on Aug. 29, 2012. Learn how to build and program LEGO Mindstorm robots and use them to promote student engagement and conceptual understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM. Explore robotic manipulators and end effectors like the ones NASA uses on the space station. Join colleagues in the Grand Challenge to design, build and program a robot to explore an environment and return with a sample for investigation..

Student Spaceflight Experiments Program -- Mission 3 to the International Space Station (Grades 5-Higher Education and Informal)
The National Center for Earth and Space Science Education, in partnership with NanoRacks LLC, announces Mission 3 to the International Space Station. This opportunity gives students across a community the ability to design and propose real experiments to fly in low Earth orbit on the space station. This competition is open to students in grades 5-12 and college. Informal education groups and organizations are also encouraged to participate. All participating communities must be aboard by Sept. 12, 2012.

Zero Robotics High School Tournament 2012(Grades 9-12)
High school teams are challenged to design a software program for small satellites aboard the space station. The competition centers on the Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites, or SPHERES. Three of these bowling-ball-sized satellites fly inside the station's cabin. The finalists will have their codes sent to the station, where an astronaut will program the SPHERES satellites to run their tests. Teams must register before Sept. 21, 2012.

Electronic Professional Development Network Course: Project-Based Inquiry Learning (Grades 5-12)
Sign up for this free online, five-week course that begins on Sept. 26, 2012. Develop skills in designing and using project-based inquiry learning, or PBIL, to enhance conceptual understanding, critical thinking, scientific reasoning and problem solving in standards-based classrooms. Experience and analyze two NASA-oriented PBIL projects firsthand; learn PBIL curriculum design strategies and methods; and design a PBIL unit for use in your classroom.

2012-2013 National Student Solar Spectrograph Competition(Higher Education)
The 2012-2013 National Student Solar Spectrograph Competition is open to undergraduate teams from colleges and universities. Teams are challenged to design and build a working ground-based solar spectrograph and demonstrate the capabilities of the spectrograph as defined by their science goal. Scholarship and travel prizes will be awarded, and teams may apply for funding of $2,000 per team for project materials. Applications for build awards and registrations are due on Sept. 30, 2012.

2012 Humans in Space Youth Art Competition(Grades K-12)
The international 2012 Humans in Space Youth Art Competition invites students ages 10-18 to express their ideas about the future of human space exploration through visual, literary, musical or digital art. The theme for 2012 is "How will humans use science and technology to explore space, and what mysteries will we uncover?" Winning art will be showcased at displays and multimedia performances worldwide from 2013 to 2014, as well as in an online gallery. Submissions must be received by Oct. 21, 2012.

Mars Student Imaging Project(Grades 5-12)
The Mars Student Imaging Project is seeking educator applicants to participate in a virtual experiential opportunity for the 2011-2012 school year and the summer of 2012. Students will have the opportunity to ask a research question about Mars, use real Mars data to answer the question, interact with Mars scientists and target a brand new image of Mars using a special camera on the Mars Odyssey Spacecraft. Applications are being accepted now.

NASA's Digital Learning Network Special Event: Chat With a Mission Control Flight Officer(Grades 5-12)
NASA's Digital Learning Network is excited to offer a unique opportunity to ask questions of an actual mission control flight officer at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Students will witness the inner workings of the International Space Station's mission control. Each event will begin with a 30-minute introduction by a DLN education specialist, followed by a question and answer session with mission control representatives. This special event will take place each Thursday. Visit the site to register your classroom for an upcoming event.

Centennial Challenge: Nano-Satellite Launch Challenge (Higher Education)
NASA and the Space Florida Small Satellite Research Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., are seeking teams to compete in a satellite launch technology demonstration competition with a $2-million prize purse. Teams will compete to launch satellites with a mass of at least 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) into Earth orbit twice within the span of one week. Draft Rules for public comment will be posted in the near future at http://www.spaceflorida.gov/nano-sat-launch-challenge.

Odyssey of the Mind -- Weird Science (All Grade Levels)
NASA is sponsoring the Odyssey of the Mind Long-Term Problem -- Weird Science. To solve this problem, teams create and present a performance about a team of scientists on an expedition to uncover the cause of mysterious events. The performance must include a technical representation of the mysterious events, a moving backdrop that helps portray traveling and a team-created device that the scientists use on the expedition. Visit the site for more information and dates for regional competitions.

Host a "From Earth to the Solar System" Exhibit (Informal Educators)
Celebrate NASA's Year of the Solar System by hosting a "From Earth to the Solar System" exhibit. This collection of high-resolution images showcases the excitement of planetary exploration. The images are freely available to organizations worldwide to host their own exhibitions. The artistic and informative images weave together themes in astrobiology, planetary science and astronomy. The collection represents the current state of exploration as seen through the eyes of the scientific community.

NASA Explorer Schools Registration Open (Grades K-12)
Register today to take part in the new NASA Explorer Schools project. NES offers multiple pathways for participation and recognition for middle school (grades 4-8) and high school (grades 9-12) classrooms. The project requires no application process. Project materials are freely available to all types of schools. Participants may be individual educators, teams of educators or whole schools. Participants have access to NASA opportunities and are recognized for innovative use of NASA educational resources and demonstration of best practices in STEM education.

Wallops Rocket Academy for Teachers and Students (Grades 9-12)
The Wallops Rocket Academy for Teachers and Students, or WRATS, provides high school teachers with a technical flight experience to reinforce concepts in the classroom. Teachers and students participate virtually in hands-on experiences based on NASA's sounding rocket engineering and science data collection. WRATS includes interactive Web-based data to teach lessons in physics and engineering. Teachers also receive resources to integrate the data into classroom lessons.

Wallops Balloon Experience for Education (Grades 9-12)
The Wallops Rocket Academy for Teachers and Students, or WRATS, provides high school teachers with a technical flight experience to reinforce concepts in the classroom. Teachers and students participate virtually in hands-on experiences based on NASA's sounding rocket engineering and science data collection. WRATS includes interactive Web-based data to teach lessons in physics and engineering. Teachers also receive resources to integrate the data into classroom lessons.

Rock Around the World (Grades K-4)
Mars scientists are asking students from around the world to help them understand the red planet. Send in a rock collected by you or your classroom from your region of the world, and we will use a special tool like the one on the rover to tell you what it's made of. Then everyone can compare their rocks to the ones found on Mars.

Free Teaching Tools Aligned to State Science Education Standards (Grades K-12)
A series of free curriculum supplements from the National Institutes of Health aimed at promoting science education achievement is now aligned to individual state education standards in science, math, health and English language arts for grades K-12. The ongoing series promotes inquiry-based, interdisciplinary learning. The series currently includes 16 supplements on such topics as genetics, infectious diseases and cell biology. Visit the site to request these free education supplements.

Teacher and Student Opportunity: Ames Education Associates Project (Higher Education)
The Ames Education Associates Program is a unique experiential learning program that provides students or faculty members at U.S. colleges or universities, postdoctoral fellows and active K-12 teachers the opportunity to "experience NASA." Educational Associates will participate in and contribute to a project at a NASA facility for a minimum of two months, and a maximum of 12. The program operates year round and positions may start and end at any time.

Research Scholarship: NASA Astrobiology Institute (Higher Education)
The NASA Astrobiology Institute Research Scholarship Project offers research-related travel support that enables graduate or postdoctoral students to circulate among two or more NAI teams or participating institutions of the NAI. Requests are accepted on a continuous basis.

Teacher Opportunity: Fit Explorer Challenge (Grades K-12, Informal)
Inspire the nation's future explorers by joining NASA and the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports in a variety of exciting physical and hands-on educational activities to encourage students to train like astronauts. Students in grades 3-5 will track their progress, learn the science behind nutritional and physical fitness, and relate physical Earth-based needs to the requirements of exploring in space.

Free Webinar -- Rocket Scientists Write?(Grades K-12)
The Aerospace Education Services Project is presenting a free hourlong webcast on May 21, 2012, at 6 p.m. EDT. Aerospace education specialist John Weis will demonstrate language arts activities using NASA materials and lessons found within NASA educator guides. Materials discussed will cover reading comprehension and composition for grades K-12. Lesson plans and strategies will be shared.

Digital Learning Network Webcast: Learn More About the Upcoming Transit of Venus (All Grade Levels)
Educators and students are invited to join NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center for a Digital Learning Network webcast to learn more about the upcoming transit of Venus. The webcast event will take place on May 23, 2012, at 1 p.m. EDT. Astronomer Louis Mayo, as well as other guests, will share information on the scientific significance of the transit as well as education resources for teachers and students. To learn more about the transit, visit the Sun-Earth Day website at http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2012/about/about.php.

Free Webinar -- Sun-Earth-Moon Relationships(Grades K-8)
The Aerospace Education Services Project is presenting a free 90-minute webcast on May 24, 2012, at 4:30 p.m. EDT. Aerospace education specialist Rick Varner will introduce sun-Earth-moon models that help to explain the phases of the moon and both lunar and solar eclipses. Additionally, the activity "Kinesthetic Astronomy" will be introduced for its explanation of the seasons.

Free Webinar -- Toys in Space(Grades K-12)
The Aerospace Education Services Project is presenting a free hourlong webcast on May 24, 2012, at 7 p.m. EDT. Aerospace education specialist Steve Culivan will share NASA's Toys in Space videos and activities. In this program, astronauts took toys from around the world with them into space. Students predict, observe and record how the toys behave without the effects of Earth's gravity, putting Newton's Laws of Motion to the test. Participants will receive copies of the astronaut videos for use in the classroom.

Free Lecture -- John Glenn: Earning the Right Stuff as a Decorated Marine Aviator and Navy Test Pilot(All Grade Levels)
How did John Glenn get "the right stuff?" Before he was an astronaut, John Glenn earned six Distinguished Flying Crosses as a United States Marine Corps aviator in World War II and the Korean conflict, and also flew as a naval test pilot. On May 24, 2012, National Air and Space Museum Director Jack Dailey will join Glenn for a discussion of his career-defining moments. The lecture begins at 8 p.m. at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. The lecture will be webcast live.

Electronic Professional Development Network Course: Engage and Educate -- Podcasts in the Classroom(Grades K-12)
Sign up for this free online five-week course that begins on May 30, 2012. Learn how podcasts can be integrated in classroom lessons to engage students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, disciplines. The benefits, as well as the obstacles, of podcasts will be discussed. Participants will learn how to create their own podcasts using NASA resources. This course is designed for beginners with little or no experience with podcasts.

NASA Earth Day Video Contest 2012(All Grade Levels)
NASA is challenging the public to create a compelling video vision of NASA's exploration of Earth -- The Home Frontier. To enter, produce a short video that captures what you find inspiring and important about the unique view and understanding of Earth provided by NASA science. The winning entry will be featured on the NASA website, and the winner will receive a behind-the-scenes look at the next rocket launch of a NASA Earth-observing satellite. Entries are due May 31, 2012.

Sun-Earth Day Webcast to Commemorate Venus Transit (All Grade Levels)
NASA's Sun-Earth Day team and NASA EDGE will celebrate the Transit of Venus with a live webcast on June 5, 2012, from Hawaii. Observers will see the Transit of Venus from the summit on Mauna Kea providing a wonderful view of the entire transit. Viewers will be able to see real-time images of the transit for the duration of the event in various wavelengths of light; images from the Solar Dynamics Observatory and the International Space Station will provide more unique observations of the transit during the webcast.

Free Lecture -- Seeking Planets Like Earth (All Grade Levels)
Transiting planets are special, because scientists can determine their bulk density and can even observe their atmospheres. On June 5, 2012, join astronomer Dave W. Latham as he discusses his studies of transiting planets and how we can use them to find rocky worlds similar to the Earth. The lecture begins at 8 p.m. at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Come early to see a free film and to meet the lecturer. The lecture will be webcast live.

Teachers Touch the Sky: An Astronomy Workshop (Grades K-12)
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., is hosting a week-long educator workshop in August 2012 for educators of grades 3-9. This workshop will focus on space science and astronomy. Attendees will learn about NASA education materials, including hands-on activities based on current projects. Participants will take a field trip to JPL's Table Mountain Observatory, tour JPL's facilities and to talk to real scientists about their work. Registration closes on June 15, 2012.

Free Lecture -- NASA's Legacy and Future: Personal Reflections of a Space Flyer(All Educators)
On June 27, 2012, NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden Jr. will be the speaker for the 2012 John H. Glenn Lecture. Administrator Bolden will reflect on his career as a Marine aviator, a space shuttle pilot and commander and his leadership of America's space agency. His insights will provide a timely window into his own experiences and the future of space exploration. The lecture begins at 8 p.m. at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. The lecture will be webcast live.

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station Contact Opportunity (All Grade Levels)
NASA is now accepting proposals from U.S. schools, museums, science centers and community youth organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station contact between Nov. 1, 2012, and May 1, 2013. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, NASA is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan. Radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length. Proposals are due July 2, 2012.

Electronic Professional Development Network Course: Technology Integration -- Vodcasts(Grades K-12)
Sign up for this free online five-week course that begins on July 11, 2012. Participants will use various audio and video editing software tools to create video podcasts, or vodcasts. Each participant will begin by creating an enhanced podcast and build up to a vodcast through the creation of video and audio files. During the course, you will examine and use many of the NASA public domain resources for infusing science, technology, engineering and mathematics concepts into your projects.

2012 Humans in Space Youth Art Competition(Grades K-12)
The international 2012 Humans in Space Youth Art Competition invites students ages 10-18 to express their ideas about the future of human space exploration through visual, literary, musical or digital art. The theme for 2012 is "How will humans use science and technology to explore space, and what mysteries will we uncover?" Winning art will be showcased at displays and multimedia performances worldwide from 2013 to 2014, as well as in an online gallery. Submissions must be received by Oct. 21, 2012.

Odyssey of the Mind -- Weird Science (All Grade Levels)
NASA is sponsoring the Odyssey of the Mind Long-Term Problem -- Weird Science. To solve this problem, teams create and present a performance about a team of scientists on an expedition to uncover the cause of mysterious events. The performance must include a technical representation of the mysterious events, a moving backdrop that helps portray traveling and a team-created device that the scientists use on the expedition. Visit the site for more information and dates for regional competitions.

NASA Explorer Schools Registration Open (Grades K-12)
Register today to take part in the new NASA Explorer Schools project. NES offers multiple pathways for participation and recognition for middle school (grades 4-8) and high school (grades 9-12) classrooms. The project requires no application process. Project materials are freely available to all types of schools. Participants may be individual educators, teams of educators or whole schools. Participants have access to NASA opportunities and are recognized for innovative use of NASA educational resources and demonstration of best practices in STEM education.

Free Teaching Tools Aligned to State Science Education Standards (Grades K-12)
A series of free curriculum supplements from the National Institutes of Health aimed at promoting science education achievement is now aligned to individual state education standards in science, math, health and English language arts for grades K-12. The ongoing series promotes inquiry-based, interdisciplinary learning. The series currently includes 16 supplements on such topics as genetics, infectious diseases and cell biology. Visit the site to request these free education supplements.

Teacher Opportunity: Fit Explorer Challenge (Grades K-12, Informal Education)
Inspire the nation's future explorers by joining NASA and the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports in a variety of exciting physical and hands-on educational activities to encourage students to train like astronauts. Students in grades 3-5 will track their progress, learn the science behind nutritional and physical fitness, and relate physical Earth-based needs to the requirements of exploring in space.

Rock Around the World (Grades K-4)
Mars scientists are asking students from around the world to help them understand the red planet. Send in a rock collected by you or your classroom from your region of the world, and we will use a special tool like the one on the rover to tell you what it's made of. Then everyone can compare their rocks to the ones found on Mars.

Live Video Chat: Robonaut Technology Aboard the Space Station(Grades 5-12)
NASA Explorer Schools is offering students in grades 6-12 an opportunity to ask questions of CJ Kanelakos, a mechanical design engineer working on Robonaut 2, or R2. Join the video chat on May 18, 2012, from 1-2 p.m. EDT to ask Kanelakos questions about designing, testing and building a lower body for R2 that will enable it to be more mobile on the space station. This event is open to all students, not just those who attend schools participating in the NASA Explorer Schools project.

Free Webinar -- Rocket Scientists Write?(Grades K-12)
The Aerospace Education Services Project is presenting a free hourlong webcast on May 21, 2012, at 6 p.m. EDT. Aerospace education specialist John Weis will demonstrate language arts activities using NASA materials and lessons found within NASA educator guides. Materials discussed will cover reading comprehension and composition for grades K-12. Lesson plans and strategies will be shared.

Digital Learning Network Webcast: Learn More About the Upcoming Transit of Venus (All Grade Levels)
Educators and students are invited to join NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center for a Digital Learning Network webcast to learn more about the upcoming transit of Venus. The webcast event will take place on May 23, 2012, at 1 p.m. EDT. Astronomer Louis Mayo, as well as other guests, will share information on the scientific significance of the transit as well as education resources for teachers and students. To learn more about the transit, visit the Sun-Earth Day website at http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2012/about/about.php.

Free Webinar -- Sun-Earth-Moon Relationships(Grades K-8)
The Aerospace Education Services Project is presenting a free 90-minute webcast on May 24, 2012, at 4:30 p.m. EDT. Aerospace education specialist Rick Varner will introduce sun-Earth-moon models that help to explain the phases of the moon and both lunar and solar eclipses. Additionally, the activity "Kinesthetic Astronomy" will be introduced for its explanation of the seasons.

Free Webinar -- Toys in Space(Grades K-12)
The Aerospace Education Services Project is presenting a free hourlong webcast on May 24, 2012, at 7 p.m. EDT. Aerospace education specialist Steve Culivan will share NASA's Toys in Space videos and activities. In this program, astronauts took toys from around the world with them into space. Students predict, observe and record how the toys behave without the effects of Earth's gravity, putting Newton's Laws of Motion to the test. Participants will receive copies of the astronaut videos for use in the classroom.

Free Lecture -- John Glenn: Earning the Right Stuff as a Decorated Marine Aviator and Navy Test Pilot(All Grade Levels)
How did John Glenn get "the right stuff?" Before he was an astronaut, John Glenn earned six Distinguished Flying Crosses as a United States Marine Corps aviator in World War II and the Korean conflict, and also flew as a naval test pilot. On May 24, 2012, National Air and Space Museum Director Jack Dailey will join Glenn for a discussion of his career-defining moments. The lecture begins at 8 p.m. at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. The lecture will be webcast live.

Electronic Professional Development Network Course: Engage and Educate -- Podcasts in the Classroom(Grades K-12)
Sign up for this free online five-week course that begins on May 30, 2012. Learn how podcasts can be integrated in classroom lessons to engage students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, disciplines. The benefits, as well as the obstacles, of podcasts will be discussed. Participants will learn how to create their own podcasts using NASA resources. This course is designed for beginners with little or no experience with podcasts.

NASA Earth Day Video Contest 2012(All Grade Levels)
NASA is challenging the public to create a compelling video vision of NASA's exploration of Earth -- The Home Frontier. To enter, produce a short video that captures what you find inspiring and important about the unique view and understanding of Earth provided by NASA science. The winning entry will be featured on the NASA website, and the winner will receive a behind-the-scenes look at the next rocket launch of a NASA Earth-observing satellite. Entries are due May 31, 2012.

2012 Educate to Innovate Conference(Grades 5-12)
NASA’s Aerospace Education Services Project and the Kentucky Southeast-Southcentral Education Cooperative are presenting two Educate to Innovate opportunities in June 2012. These conference workshops will explore engineering design challenges, problem-based learning activities, distance-learning modules, inquiry-based lessons, literacy across the curriculum and hands-on projects. The registration deadline for these events is May 31, 2012.

Expeditions 33 and 34 In-flight Education Downlink Opportunities(Grades 5-12)
NASA is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host live, in-flight education downlinks during Expeditions 33 and 34 (September 2012 to March 2013). Downlinks last about 20 minutes and allow students and educators to interact with astronauts through a question-and-answer session. NASA is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the downlinks into well-developed education plans. Proposals are due June 1, 2012.

Sun-Earth Day Webcast to Commemorate Venus Transit (All Grade Levels)
NASA's Sun-Earth Day team and NASA EDGE will celebrate the Transit of Venus with a live webcast on June 5, 2012, from Hawaii. Observers will see the Transit of Venus from the summit on Mauna Kea providing a wonderful view of the entire transit. Viewers will be able to see real-time images of the transit for the duration of the event in various wavelengths of light; images from the Solar Dynamics Observatory and the International Space Station will provide more unique observations of the transit during the webcast.

Free Lecture -- Seeking Planets Like Earth (All Grade Levels)
Transiting planets are special, because scientists can determine their bulk density and can even observe their atmospheres. On June 5, 2012, join astronomer Dave W. Latham as he discusses his studies of transiting planets and how we can use them to find rocky worlds similar to the Earth. The lecture begins at 8 p.m. at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Come early to see a free film and to meet the lecturer. The lecture will be webcast live.

Teachers Touch the Sky: An Astronomy Workshop (Grades K-12)
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., is hosting a week-long educator workshop in August 2012 for educators of grades 3-9. This workshop will focus on space science and astronomy. Attendees will learn about NASA education materials, including hands-on activities based on current projects. Participants will take a field trip to JPL's Table Mountain Observatory, tour JPL's facilities and to talk to real scientists about their work. Registration closes on June 15, 2012.

NASA G.I.R.L.S. Mentoring Project (Grades 5-8)
NASA is looking for the next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators. To jump start the future of potential explorers, Women@NASA has created a mentoring project that offers a unique experience for middle school girls. The project will feature one-on-one mentoring from women working at NASA. Applicants must be U.S. citizens in grades 5-8 or home-school equivalent. The mentoring project will take place over a five-week period during the summer. Applications are due June 15, 2012.

2012 NASA's Multiwavelength Universe Online Professional Development Course (Grades 5-12)
Several NASA missions that are exploring the universe across the electromagnetic spectrum are sponsoring an online course for in-service and pre-service teachers of middle- and high-school students. Participants will learn to use astronomical examples (images, phenomena, telescopes) to describe the nature of light and color in terms of the regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Academic credit is offered through Sonoma State University. The course will take place June 25 - July 13, 2012. Enrollment is limited to 25 participants. Auditors may be accommodated on a space-available basis.

Free Lecture -- NASA's Legacy and Future: Personal Reflections of a Space Flyer(All Educators)
On June 27, 2012, NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden Jr. will be the speaker for the 2012 John H. Glenn Lecture. Administrator Bolden will reflect on his career as a Marine aviator, a space shuttle pilot and commander and his leadership of America's space agency. His insights will provide a timely window into his own experiences and the future of space exploration. The lecture begins at 8 p.m. at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. The lecture will be webcast live.

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station Contact Opportunity (All Grade Levels)
NASA is now accepting proposals from U.S. schools, museums, science centers and community youth organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station contact between Nov. 1, 2012, and May 1, 2013. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, NASA is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan. Radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length. Proposals are due July 2, 2012.

Electronic Professional Development Network Course: Technology Integration -- Vodcasts(Grades K-12)
Sign up for this free online five-week course that begins on July 11, 2012. Participants will use various audio and video editing software tools to create video podcasts, or vodcasts. Each participant will begin by creating an enhanced podcast and build up to a vodcast through the creation of video and audio files. During the course, you will examine and use many of the NASA public domain resources for infusing science, technology, engineering and mathematics concepts into your projects.

Earth Science Information Partners Federation Summer Meeting 2012(Grades 5-12)
The Federation of Earth Science Information Partners, or ESIP, invites teachers to attend a 1.5-day workshop on earth science education, with an integral strand dedicated to climate change education. Participants will be able to choose from several breakout sessions demonstrating ways that earth science tools and data can be used in science classrooms. This summer's workshop will take place July 17-18, 2012, at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

Electronic Professional Development Network Course: Using Robotics to Enhance STEM Learning(Grades 5-12)
Sign up for this free online, six-week course that begins on Aug. 29, 2012. Learn how to build and program LEGO Mindstorm robots and use them to promote student engagement and conceptual understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM. Explore robotic manipulators and end effectors like the ones NASA uses on the space station. Join colleagues in the Grand Challenge to design, build and program a robot to explore an environment and return with a sample for investigation..

Student Spaceflight Experiments Program -- Mission 3 to the International Space Station (Grades 5-Higher Education and Informal)
The National Center for Earth and Space Science Education, in partnership with NanoRacks LLC, announces Mission 3 to the International Space Station. This opportunity gives students across a community the ability to design and propose real experiments to fly in low Earth orbit on the space station. This competition is open to students in grades 5-12 and college. Informal education groups and organizations are also encouraged to participate. All participating communities must be aboard by Sept. 12, 2012.

Electronic Professional Development Network Course: Project-Based Inquiry Learning (Grades 5-12)
Sign up for this free online, five-week course that begins on Sept. 26, 2012. Develop skills in designing and using project-based inquiry learning, or PBIL, to enhance conceptual understanding, critical thinking, scientific reasoning and problem solving in standards-based classrooms. Experience and analyze two NASA-oriented PBIL projects firsthand; learn PBIL curriculum design strategies and methods; and design a PBIL unit for use in your classroom.

2012 Humans in Space Youth Art Competition(Grades K-12)
The international 2012 Humans in Space Youth Art Competition invites students ages 10-18 to express their ideas about the future of human space exploration through visual, literary, musical or digital art. The theme for 2012 is "How will humans use science and technology to explore space, and what mysteries will we uncover?" Winning art will be showcased at displays and multimedia performances worldwide from 2013 to 2014, as well as in an online gallery. Submissions must be received by Oct. 21, 2012.

Mars Student Imaging Project(Grades 5-12)
The Mars Student Imaging Project is seeking educator applicants to participate in a virtual experiential opportunity for the 2011-2012 school year and the summer of 2012. Students will have the opportunity to ask a research question about Mars, use real Mars data to answer the question, interact with Mars scientists and target a brand new image of Mars using a special camera on the Mars Odyssey Spacecraft. Applications are being accepted now.

NASA's Digital Learning Network Special Event: Chat With a Mission Control Flight Officer(Grades 5-12)
NASA's Digital Learning Network is excited to offer a unique opportunity to ask questions of an actual mission control flight officer at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Students will witness the inner workings of the International Space Station’s mission control. Each event will begin with a 30-minute introduction by a DLN education specialist, followed by a question and answer session with mission control representatives. This special event will take place each Thursday. Visit the site to register your classroom for an upcoming event.

Odyssey of the Mind -- Weird Science (All Grade Levels)
NASA is sponsoring the Odyssey of the Mind Long-Term Problem -- Weird Science. To solve this problem, teams create and present a performance about a team of scientists on an expedition to uncover the cause of mysterious events. The performance must include a technical representation of the mysterious events, a moving backdrop that helps portray traveling and a team-created device that the scientists use on the expedition. Visit the site for more information and dates for regional competitions.

NASA Explorer Schools Registration Open (Grades K-12)
Register today to take part in the new NASA Explorer Schools project. NES offers multiple pathways for participation and recognition for middle school (grades 4-8) and high school (grades 9-12) classrooms. The project requires no application process. Project materials are freely available to all types of schools. Participants may be individual educators, teams of educators or whole schools. Participants have access to NASA opportunities and are recognized for innovative use of NASA educational resources and demonstration of best practices in STEM education.

Free Teaching Tools Aligned to State Science Education Standards (Grades K-12)
A series of free curriculum supplements from the National Institutes of Health aimed at promoting science education achievement is now aligned to individual state education standards in science, math, health and English language arts for grades K-12. The ongoing series promotes inquiry-based, interdisciplinary learning. The series currently includes 16 supplements on such topics as genetics, infectious diseases and cell biology. Visit the site to request these free education supplements.

Teacher Opportunity: Fit Explorer Challenge (Grades K-12, Informal Education)
Inspire the nation's future explorers by joining NASA and the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports in a variety of exciting physical and hands-on educational activities to encourage students to train like astronauts. Students in grades 3-5 will track their progress, learn the science behind nutritional and physical fitness, and relate physical Earth-based needs to the requirements of exploring in space.

Live Video Chat: Robonaut Technology Aboard the Space Station(Grades 5-12)
NASA Explorer Schools is offering students in grades 6-12 an opportunity to ask questions of CJ Kanelakos, a mechanical design engineer working on Robonaut 2, or R2. Join the video chat on May 18, 2012, from 1-2 p.m. EDT to ask Kanelakos questions about designing, testing and building a lower body for R2 that will enable it to be more mobile on the space station. This event is open to all students, not just those who attend schools participating in the NASA Explorer Schools project.

Free Webinar -- Rocket Scientists Write?(Grades K-12)
The Aerospace Education Services Project is presenting a free hourlong webcast on May 21, 2012, at 6 p.m. EDT. Aerospace education specialist John Weis will demonstrate language arts activities using NASA materials and lessons found within NASA educator guides. Materials discussed will cover reading comprehension and composition for grades K-12. Lesson plans and strategies will be shared.

Digital Learning Network Webcast: Learn More About the Upcoming Transit of Venus (All Grade Levels)
Educators and students are invited to join NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center for a Digital Learning Network webcast to learn more about the upcoming transit of Venus. The webcast event will take place on May 23, 2012, at 1 p.m. EDT. Astronomer Louis Mayo, as well as other guests, will share information on the scientific significance of the transit as well as education resources for teachers and students. To learn more about the transit, visit the Sun-Earth Day website at http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2012/about/about.php.

Live Video Chat: Mia Siochi: The Amazing World of Nanomaterials(Grades 9-12)
In recognition of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, NASA Explorer Schools is offering students in grades 9-12 an opportunity to ask questions of Mia Siochi, a research materials engineer working on nanotechnology, self-healing materials and other emerging aerospace materials and systems of the future. Join the video chat on May 23, 2012, from noon-1 p.m. EDT. This event is open to all students, not just those who attend schools participating in the NASA Explorer Schools project.

Ultraviolet Radiation and Yeast: Radiation Biology Web Seminar(Grades 9-12 and Informal)
NASA Explorer Schools and the National Science Teachers Association are hosting a 90-minute live professional development Web seminar for educators on May 23, 2012, at 8:15 p.m. EDT. The student activity featured in this seminar demonstrates the effects of radiation on living organisms. Learn how sun-screening materials protect live yeast cells from harmful ultraviolet, or UV, radiation and countermeasures for UV radiation and discuss phenotypic changes in yeast as a result of radiation damage.

Free Webinar -- Toys in Space(Grades K-12)
The Aerospace Education Services Project is presenting a free hourlong webcast on May 24, 2012, at 7 p.m. EDT. Aerospace education specialist Steve Culivan will share NASA's Toys in Space videos and activities. In this program, astronauts took toys from around the world with them into space. Students predict, observe and record how the toys behave without the effects of Earth's gravity, putting Newton's Laws of Motion to the test. Participants will receive copies of the astronaut videos for use in the classroom.

Free Lecture -- John Glenn: Earning the Right Stuff as a Decorated Marine Aviator and Navy Test Pilot(All Grade Levels)
How did John Glenn get "the right stuff?" Before he was an astronaut, John Glenn earned six Distinguished Flying Crosses as a United States Marine Corps aviator in World War II and the Korean conflict, and also flew as a naval test pilot. On May 24, 2012, National Air and Space Museum Director Jack Dailey will join Glenn for a discussion of his career-defining moments. The lecture begins at 8 p.m. at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. The lecture will be webcast live.

Derivatives: Math and Science @ Work -- Space Shuttle Auxiliary Power Units Web Seminar(Grades 9-12 and Informal)
NASA Explorer Schools and the Learning Environments and Research Network, or LEARN, projects are hosting a 60-minute live professional development Web seminar for educators on May 30, 2012, at 8 p.m. EDT. The Space Shuttle Auxiliary Power Units student activity featured in this seminar is a problem set from the Mission Control series of NASA's Math and Science @ Work project. Attendees will work the problem set and share best practices for implementing this problem set into the classroom.

Electronic Professional Development Network Course: Engage and Educate -- Podcasts in the Classroom(Grades K-12)
Sign up for this free online five-week course that begins on May 30, 2012. Learn how podcasts can be integrated in classroom lessons to engage students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, disciplines. The benefits, as well as the obstacles, of podcasts will be discussed. Participants will learn how to create their own podcasts using NASA resources. This course is designed for beginners with little or no experience with podcasts.

Chemistry of Water: Math and Science @ Work -- A Breath of Fresh Air Web Seminar (Grades 9-12 and Informal)
NASA Explorer Schools and the National Science Teachers Association invite educators to attend a 90-minute live professional development Web seminar on May 31, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Learn how to implement a chemistry lab activity called "A Breath of Fresh Air." During the activity, students create their own electrolysis apparatus to generate oxygen and use a Texas Instruments TI-Nspire calculator to collect data. Note: You do not need to have a TI-Nspire calculator during this professional development.

NASA Earth Day Video Contest 2012(All Grade Levels)
NASA is challenging the public to create a compelling video vision of NASA's exploration of Earth -- The Home Frontier. To enter, produce a short video that captures what you find inspiring and important about the unique view and understanding of Earth provided by NASA science. The winning entry will be featured on the NASA website, and the winner will receive a behind-the-scenes look at the next rocket launch of a NASA Earth-observing satellite. Entries are due May 31, 2012.

2012 Educate to Innovate Conference(Grades 5-12)
NASA’s Aerospace Education Services Project and the Kentucky Southeast-Southcentral Education Cooperative are presenting two Educate to Innovate opportunities in June 2012. These conference workshops will explore engineering design challenges, problem-based learning activities, distance-learning modules, inquiry-based lessons, literacy across the curriculum and hands-on projects. The registration deadline for these events is May 31, 2012.

Expeditions 33 and 34 In-flight Education Downlink Opportunities(Grades 5-12)
NASA is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host live, in-flight education downlinks during Expeditions 33 and 34 (September 2012 to March 2013). Downlinks last about 20 minutes and allow students and educators to interact with astronauts through a question-and-answer session. NASA is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the downlinks into well-developed education plans. Proposals are due June 1, 2012.

2012 Summer Workshops -- Climate Science Research for Educators and Students (Grades 9-12)
The Climate Science Research for Educators and Students project is seeking applicants for its 2012 summer workshops. The first of two workshops will take place in New York City in late June or early July 2012. The workshop will focus on understanding sun/Earth/atmosphere interactions, and participants will build instruments called pyranometers, which monitor solar radiation. A follow-up workshop will take place in August and can be attended in person or online. Applications are due June 1, 2012.

Engineering Design: Forces and Motion -- The Great Boomerang Challenge Web Seminar (Grades 9-12 and Informal)
NASA Explorer Schools and the National Science Teachers Association are hosting a free 90-minute professional development Web seminar on June 4, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Learn how NASA aerodynamics research can be used to improve boomerang design. Participants will be introduced to the Boomerang Design Challenge and learn how to incorporate this activity into science classes. Two extensions featuring free computer simulations that teach students about airflow around airfoils will also be shared.

Algebraic Equations: Transit Tracks -- Finding Habitable Planets Web Seminar (Grades 9-12 and Informal)
NASA Explorer Schools and the Learning Environments and Research Network, or LE&RN, projects are hosting a 60-minute live professional development Web seminar for educators on June 5, 2012, at 8 p.m. EDT. Discover how an algebra activity called "Finding Habitable Planets" will help you teach students to use their skills to analyze NASA data. Students learn about the possibility of discovering planets in habitable zones of solar systems.

Sun-Earth Day Webcast to Commemorate Venus Transit (All Grade Levels)
NASA's Sun-Earth Day team and NASA EDGE will celebrate the Transit of Venus with a live webcast on June 5, 2012, from Hawaii. Observers will see the Transit of Venus from the summit on Mauna Kea providing a wonderful view of the entire transit. Viewers will be able to see real-time images of the transit for the duration of the event in various wavelengths of light; images from the Solar Dynamics Observatory and the International Space Station will provide more unique observations of the transit during the webcast.

Free Lecture -- Seeking Planets Like Earth (All Grade Levels)
Transiting planets are special, because scientists can determine their bulk density and can even observe their atmospheres. On June 5, 2012, join astronomer Dave W. Latham as he discusses his studies of transiting planets and how we can use them to find rocky worlds similar to the Earth. The lecture begins at 8 p.m. at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Come early to see a free film and to meet the lecturer. The lecture will be webcast live.

Teachers Touch the Sky: An Astronomy Workshop (Grades K-12)
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., is hosting a week-long educator workshop in August 2012 for educators of grades 3-9. This workshop will focus on space science and astronomy. Attendees will learn about NASA education materials, including hands-on activities based on current projects. Participants will take a field trip to JPL's Table Mountain Observatory, tour JPL's facilities and to talk to real scientists about their work. Registration closes on June 15, 2012.

2012 NASA's Multiwavelength Universe Online Professional Development Course (Grades 5-12)
Several NASA missions that are exploring the universe across the electromagnetic spectrum are sponsoring an online course for in-service and pre-service teachers of middle- and high-school students. Participants will learn to use astronomical examples (images, phenomena, telescopes) to describe the nature of light and color in terms of the regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Academic credit is offered through Sonoma State University. The course will take place June 25 - July 13, 2012. Enrollment is limited to 25 participants. Auditors may be accommodated on a space-available basis.

Free Lecture -- NASA's Legacy and Future: Personal Reflections of a Space Flyer(All Educators)
On June 27, 2012, NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden Jr. will be the speaker for the 2012 John H. Glenn Lecture. Administrator Bolden will reflect on his career as a Marine aviator, a space shuttle pilot and commander and his leadership of America's space agency. His insights will provide a timely window into his own experiences and the future of space exploration. The lecture begins at 8 p.m. at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. The lecture will be webcast live.

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station Contact Opportunity (All Grade Levels)
NASA is now accepting proposals from U.S. schools, museums, science centers and community youth organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station contact between Nov. 1, 2012, and May 1, 2013. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, NASA is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan. Radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length. Proposals are due July 2, 2012.

Electronic Professional Development Network Course: Technology Integration -- Vodcasts(Grades K-12)
Sign up for this free online five-week course that begins on July 11, 2012. Participants will use various audio and video editing software tools to create video podcasts, or vodcasts. Each participant will begin by creating an enhanced podcast and build up to a vodcast through the creation of video and audio files. During the course, you will examine and use many of the NASA public domain resources for infusing science, technology, engineering and mathematics concepts into your projects.

Earth Science Information Partners Federation Summer Meeting 2012(Grades 5-12)
The Federation of Earth Science Information Partners, or ESIP, invites teachers to attend a 1.5-day workshop on earth science education, with an integral strand dedicated to climate change education. Participants will be able to choose from several breakout sessions demonstrating ways that earth science tools and data can be used in science classrooms. This summer's workshop will take place July 17-18, 2012, at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

Electronic Professional Development Network Course: Using Robotics to Enhance STEM Learning(Grades 5-12)
Sign up for this free online, six-week course that begins on Aug. 29, 2012. Learn how to build and program LEGO Mindstorm robots and use them to promote student engagement and conceptual understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM. Explore robotic manipulators and end effectors like the ones NASA uses on the space station. Join colleagues in the Grand Challenge to design, build and program a robot to explore an environment and return with a sample for investigation..

Student Spaceflight Experiments Program -- Mission 3 to the International Space Station (Grades 5-Higher Education and Informal)
The National Center for Earth and Space Science Education, in partnership with NanoRacks LLC, announces Mission 3 to the International Space Station. This opportunity gives students across a community the ability to design and propose real experiments to fly in low Earth orbit on the space station. This competition is open to students in grades 5-12 and college. Informal education groups and organizations are also encouraged to participate. All participating communities must be aboard by Sept. 12, 2012.

Zero Robotics High School Tournament 2012(Grades 9-12)
High school teams are challenged to design a software program for small satellites aboard the space station. The competition centers on the Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites, or SPHERES. Three of these bowling-ball-sized satellites fly inside the station's cabin. The finalists will have their codes sent to the station, where an astronaut will program the SPHERES satellites to run their tests. Teams must register before Sept. 21, 2012.

Electronic Professional Development Network Course: Project-Based Inquiry Learning (Grades 5-12)
Sign up for this free online, five-week course that begins on Sept. 26, 2012. Develop skills in designing and using project-based inquiry learning, or PBIL, to enhance conceptual understanding, critical thinking, scientific reasoning and problem solving in standards-based classrooms. Experience and analyze two NASA-oriented PBIL projects firsthand; learn PBIL curriculum design strategies and methods; and design a PBIL unit for use in your classroom.

2012 Humans in Space Youth Art Competition(Grades K-12)
The international 2012 Humans in Space Youth Art Competition invites students ages 10-18 to express their ideas about the future of human space exploration through visual, literary, musical or digital art. The theme for 2012 is "How will humans use science and technology to explore space, and what mysteries will we uncover?" Winning art will be showcased at displays and multimedia performances worldwide from 2013 to 2014, as well as in an online gallery. Submissions must be received by Oct. 21, 2012.

Mars Student Imaging Project(Grades 5-12)
The Mars Student Imaging Project is seeking educator applicants to participate in a virtual experiential opportunity for the 2011-2012 school year and the summer of 2012. Students will have the opportunity to ask a research question about Mars, use real Mars data to answer the question, interact with Mars scientists and target a brand new image of Mars using a special camera on the Mars Odyssey Spacecraft. Applications are being accepted now.

NASA's Digital Learning Network Special Event: Chat With a Mission Control Flight Officer(Grades 5-12)
NASA's Digital Learning Network is excited to offer a unique opportunity to ask questions of an actual mission control flight officer at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Students will witness the inner workings of the International Space Station’s mission control. Each event will begin with a 30-minute introduction by a DLN education specialist, followed by a question and answer session with mission control representatives. This special event will take place each Thursday. Visit the site to register your classroom for an upcoming event.

Odyssey of the Mind -- Weird Science (All Grade Levels)
NASA is sponsoring the Odyssey of the Mind Long-Term Problem -- Weird Science. To solve this problem, teams create and present a performance about a team of scientists on an expedition to uncover the cause of mysterious events. The performance must include a technical representation of the mysterious events, a moving backdrop that helps portray traveling and a team-created device that the scientists use on the expedition. Visit the site for more information and dates for regional competitions.

NASA Explorer Schools Registration Open (Grades K-12)
Register today to take part in the new NASA Explorer Schools project. NES offers multiple pathways for participation and recognition for middle school (grades 4-8) and high school (grades 9-12) classrooms. The project requires no application process. Project materials are freely available to all types of schools. Participants may be individual educators, teams of educators or whole schools. Participants have access to NASA opportunities and are recognized for innovative use of NASA educational resources and demonstration of best practices in STEM education.

Wallops Balloon Experience for Education (Grades 9-12)
The Wallops Rocket Academy for Teachers and Students, or WRATS, provides high school teachers with a technical flight experience to reinforce concepts in the classroom. Teachers and students participate virtually in hands-on experiences based on NASA's sounding rocket engineering and science data collection. WRATS includes interactive Web-based data to teach lessons in physics and engineering. Teachers also receive resources to integrate the data into classroom lessons.

Free Teaching Tools Aligned to State Science Education Standards (Grades K-12)
A series of free curriculum supplements from the National Institutes of Health aimed at promoting science education achievement is now aligned to individual state education standards in science, math, health and English language arts for grades K-12. The ongoing series promotes inquiry-based, interdisciplinary learning. The series currently includes 16 supplements on such topics as genetics, infectious diseases and cell biology. Visit the site to request these free education supplements.

Digital Learning Network Webcast: Learn More About the Upcoming Transit of Venus (All Grade Levels)
Educators and students are invited to join NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center for a Digital Learning Network webcast to learn more about the upcoming transit of Venus. The webcast event will take place on May 23, 2012, at 1 p.m. EDT. Astronomer Louis Mayo, as well as other guests, will share information on the scientific significance of the transit as well as education resources for teachers and students. To learn more about the transit, visit the Sun-Earth Day website at http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2012/about/about.php.

Free Lecture -- John Glenn: Earning the Right Stuff as a Decorated Marine Aviator and Navy Test Pilot(All Grade Levels)
How did John Glenn get "the right stuff?" Before he was an astronaut, John Glenn earned six Distinguished Flying Crosses as a United States Marine Corps aviator in World War II and the Korean conflict, and also flew as a naval test pilot. On May 24, 2012, National Air and Space Museum Director Jack Dailey will join Glenn for a discussion of his career-defining moments. The lecture begins at 8 p.m. at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. The lecture will be webcast live.

NASA Earth Day Video Contest 2012(All Grade Levels)
NASA is challenging the public to create a compelling video vision of NASA's exploration of Earth -- The Home Frontier. To enter, produce a short video that captures what you find inspiring and important about the unique view and understanding of Earth provided by NASA science. The winning entry will be featured on the NASA website, and the winner will receive a behind-the-scenes look at the next rocket launch of a NASA Earth-observing satellite. Entries are due May 31, 2012.

Sun-Earth Day Webcast to Commemorate Venus Transit (All Grade Levels)
NASA's Sun-Earth Day team and NASA EDGE will celebrate the Transit of Venus with a live webcast on June 5, 2012, from Hawaii. Observers will see the Transit of Venus from the summit on Mauna Kea providing a wonderful view of the entire transit. Viewers will be able to see real-time images of the transit for the duration of the event in various wavelengths of light; images from the Solar Dynamics Observatory and the International Space Station will provide more unique observations of the transit during the webcast.

Free Lecture -- Seeking Planets Like Earth (All Grade Levels)
Transiting planets are special, because scientists can determine their bulk density and can even observe their atmospheres. On June 5, 2012, join astronomer Dave W. Latham as he discusses his studies of transiting planets and how we can use them to find rocky worlds similar to the Earth. The lecture begins at 8 p.m. at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Come early to see a free film and to meet the lecturer. The lecture will be webcast live.

2012 National Community College Aerospace Scholars Program (Higher Education)
National Community College Aerospace Scholars, or NCAS, is an interactive, online learning experience featuring engineering career possibilities. It is highlighted by an on-site experience where selected students interact with engineers at NASA. NCAS is open to community college students across the U.S. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have access to the Internet. The application deadline is June 6, 2012.

National Space Biomedical Research Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (Higher Education)
The National Space Biomedical Research Institute, or NSBRI, Postdoctoral Fellowship Program provides support for postdoctoral fellows in any U.S. laboratory carrying out space-related biomedical or biotechnological research. Funding is for a two-year period with an option for a third year of support. Applicants must prepare proposals with the support of a mentor, and all proposals are evaluated by a peer-review panel. Applications are due June 8, 2012.

NASA CAE (Center for Astronomy Education) Astronomy 101 Teaching Excellence Workshop in Anchorage, Alaska (Higher Education)
The goal of this CAE workshop is for participants to become familiar with research-validated active engagement teaching strategies and assessment materials, as well as how to implement them in their college courses, through role-playing, modeling, practice and more! The workshop is designed for college instructors, postdocs and graduate students currently teaching or preparing to teach introductory astronomy and space science. The session will be held June 9-10, 2012, at the Marriott Downtown in Anchorage, Alaska.

NASA CAE (Center for Astronomy Education) Advanced Special Topics Workshop: Using Technology in the Classroom (Higher Education)
In this CAE workshop, participants will explore a variety of technologies that enable astronomy and space science instructors to engage students and provide feedback efficiently using multiple computer simulations, computerized databases of think-pair-share questions, and a library of animated ranking and sorting tasks. Participants are expected to have previously attended a CAE Tier I Workshop. CAE is funded through the NASA JPL Exoplanet Exploration Program. The session will be held June 10, 2012, at the Marriott Downtown in Anchorage, Alaska.

Free Lecture -- NASA's Legacy and Future: Personal Reflections of a Space Flyer(All Educators)
On June 27, 2012, NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden Jr. will be the speaker for the 2012 John H. Glenn Lecture. Administrator Bolden will reflect on his career as a Marine aviator, a space shuttle pilot and commander and his leadership of America's space agency. His insights will provide a timely window into his own experiences and the future of space exploration. The lecture begins at 8 p.m. at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. The lecture will be webcast live.

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station Contact Opportunity (All Grade Levels)
NASA is now accepting proposals from U.S. schools, museums, science centers and community youth organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station contact between Nov. 1, 2012, and May 1, 2013. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, NASA is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan. Radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length. Proposals are due July 2, 2012.

Student Spaceflight Experiments Program -- Mission 3 to the International Space Station (Grades 5-Higher Education and Informal)
The National Center for Earth and Space Science Education, in partnership with NanoRacks LLC, announces Mission 3 to the International Space Station. This opportunity gives students across a community the ability to design and propose real experiments to fly in low Earth orbit on the space station. This competition is open to students in grades 5-12 and college. Informal education groups and organizations are also encouraged to participate. All participating communities must be aboard by Sept. 12, 2012.

2012-2013 National Student Solar Spectrograph Competition(Higher Education)
The 2012-2013 National Student Solar Spectrograph Competition is open to undergraduate teams from colleges and universities. Teams are challenged to design and build a working ground-based solar spectrograph and demonstrate the capabilities of the spectrograph as defined by their science goal. Scholarship and travel prizes will be awarded, and teams may apply for funding of $2,000 per team for project materials. Applications for build awards and registrations are due on Sept. 30, 2012.

Centennial Challenge: Nano-Satellite Launch Challenge (Higher Education)
NASA and the Space Florida Small Satellite Research Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., are seeking teams to compete in a satellite launch technology demonstration competition with a $2-million prize purse. Teams will compete to launch satellites with a mass of at least 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) into Earth orbit twice within the span of one week. Draft Rules for public comment will be posted in the near future at http://www.spaceflorida.gov/nano-sat-launch-challenge.

Odyssey of the Mind -- Weird Science (All Grade Levels)
NASA is sponsoring the Odyssey of the Mind Long-Term Problem -- Weird Science. To solve this problem, teams create and present a performance about a team of scientists on an expedition to uncover the cause of mysterious events. The performance must include a technical representation of the mysterious events, a moving backdrop that helps portray traveling and a team-created device that the scientists use on the expedition. Visit the site for more information and dates for regional competitions.

Teacher and Student Opportunity: Ames Education Associates Project (Higher Education)
The Ames Education Associates Program is a unique experiential learning program that provides students or faculty members at U.S. colleges or universities, postdoctoral fellows and active K-12 teachers the opportunity to "experience NASA." Educational Associates will participate in and contribute to a project at a NASA facility for a minimum of two months, and a maximum of 12. The program operates year round and positions may start and end at any time.

Research Scholarship: NASA Astrobiology Institute (Higher Education)
The NASA Astrobiology Institute Research Scholarship Project offers research-related travel support that enables graduate or postdoctoral students to circulate among two or more NAI teams or participating institutions of the NAI. Requests are accepted on a continuous basis.

Digital Learning Network Webcast: Learn More About the Upcoming Transit of Venus (All Grade Levels)
Educators and students are invited to join NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center for a Digital Learning Network webcast to learn more about the upcoming transit of Venus. The webcast event will take place on May 23, 2012, at 1 p.m. EDT. Astronomer Louis Mayo, as well as other guests, will share information on the scientific significance of the transit as well as education resources for teachers and students. To learn more about the transit, visit the Sun-Earth Day website at http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2012/about/about.php.

Ultraviolet Radiation and Yeast: Radiation Biology Web Seminar(Grades 9-12 and Informal)
NASA Explorer Schools and the National Science Teachers Association are hosting a 90-minute live professional development Web seminar for educators on May 23, 2012, at 8:15 p.m. EDT. The student activity featured in this seminar demonstrates the effects of radiation on living organisms. Learn how sun-screening materials protect live yeast cells from harmful ultraviolet, or UV, radiation and countermeasures for UV radiation and discuss phenotypic changes in yeast as a result of radiation damage.

Free Lecture -- John Glenn: Earning the Right Stuff as a Decorated Marine Aviator and Navy Test Pilot(All Grade Levels)
How did John Glenn get "the right stuff?" Before he was an astronaut, John Glenn earned six Distinguished Flying Crosses as a United States Marine Corps aviator in World War II and the Korean conflict, and also flew as a naval test pilot. On May 24, 2012, National Air and Space Museum Director Jack Dailey will join Glenn for a discussion of his career-defining moments. The lecture begins at 8 p.m. at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. The lecture will be webcast live.

Derivatives: Math and Science @ Work -- Space Shuttle Auxiliary Power Units Web Seminar(Grades 9-12 and Informal)
NASA Explorer Schools and the Learning Environments and Research Network, or LEARN, projects are hosting a 60-minute live professional development Web seminar for educators on May 30, 2012, at 8 p.m. EDT. The Space Shuttle Auxiliary Power Units student activity featured in this seminar is a problem set from the Mission Control series of NASA's Math and Science @ Work project. Attendees will work the problem set and share best practices for implementing this problem set into the classroom.

Chemistry of Water: Math and Science @ Work -- A Breath of Fresh Air Web Seminar (Grades 9-12 and Informal)
NASA Explorer Schools and the National Science Teachers Association invite educators to attend a 90-minute live professional development Web seminar on May 31, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Learn how to implement a chemistry lab activity called "A Breath of Fresh Air." During the activity, students create their own electrolysis apparatus to generate oxygen and use a Texas Instruments TI-Nspire calculator to collect data. Note: You do not need to have a TI-Nspire calculator during this professional development.

NASA Earth Day Video Contest 2012(All Grade Levels)
NASA is challenging the public to create a compelling video vision of NASA's exploration of Earth -- The Home Frontier. To enter, produce a short video that captures what you find inspiring and important about the unique view and understanding of Earth provided by NASA science. The winning entry will be featured on the NASA website, and the winner will receive a behind-the-scenes look at the next rocket launch of a NASA Earth-observing satellite. Entries are due May 31, 2012.

Engineering Design: Forces and Motion -- The Great Boomerang Challenge Web Seminar (Grades 9-12 and Informal)
NASA Explorer Schools and the National Science Teachers Association are hosting a free 90-minute professional development Web seminar on June 4, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Learn how NASA aerodynamics research can be used to improve boomerang design. Participants will be introduced to the Boomerang Design Challenge and learn how to incorporate this activity into science classes. Two extensions featuring free computer simulations that teach students about airflow around airfoils will also be shared.

Algebraic Equations: Transit Tracks -- Finding Habitable Planets Web Seminar (Grades 9-12 and Informal)
NASA Explorer Schools and the Learning Environments and Research Network, or LE&RN, projects are hosting a 60-minute live professional development Web seminar for educators on June 5, 2012, at 8 p.m. EDT. Discover how an algebra activity called "Finding Habitable Planets" will help you teach students to use their skills to analyze NASA data. Students learn about the possibility of discovering planets in habitable zones of solar systems.

Sun-Earth Day Webcast to Commemorate Venus Transit (All Grade Levels)
NASA's Sun-Earth Day team and NASA EDGE will celebrate the Transit of Venus with a live webcast on June 5, 2012, from Hawaii. Observers will see the Transit of Venus from the summit on Mauna Kea providing a wonderful view of the entire transit. Viewers will be able to see real-time images of the transit for the duration of the event in various wavelengths of light; images from the Solar Dynamics Observatory and the International Space Station will provide more unique observations of the transit during the webcast.

Free Lecture -- Seeking Planets Like Earth (All Grade Levels)
Transiting planets are special, because scientists can determine their bulk density and can even observe their atmospheres. On June 5, 2012, join astronomer Dave W. Latham as he discusses his studies of transiting planets and how we can use them to find rocky worlds similar to the Earth. The lecture begins at 8 p.m. at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Come early to see a free film and to meet the lecturer. The lecture will be webcast live.

Free Lecture -- NASA's Legacy and Future: Personal Reflections of a Space Flyer(All Educators)
On June 27, 2012, NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden Jr. will be the speaker for the 2012 John H. Glenn Lecture. Administrator Bolden will reflect on his career as a Marine aviator, a space shuttle pilot and commander and his leadership of America's space agency. His insights will provide a timely window into his own experiences and the future of space exploration. The lecture begins at 8 p.m. at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. The lecture will be webcast live.

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station Contact Opportunity (All Grade Levels)
NASA is now accepting proposals from U.S. schools, museums, science centers and community youth organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station contact between Nov. 1, 2012, and May 1, 2013. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, NASA is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan. Radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length. Proposals are due July 2, 2012.

Student Spaceflight Experiments Program -- Mission 3 to the International Space Station (Grades 5-Higher Education and Informal)
The National Center for Earth and Space Science Education, in partnership with NanoRacks LLC, announces Mission 3 to the International Space Station. This opportunity gives students across a community the ability to design and propose real experiments to fly in low Earth orbit on the space station. This competition is open to students in grades 5-12 and college. Informal education groups and organizations are also encouraged to participate. All participating communities must be aboard by Sept. 12, 2012.

Odyssey of the Mind -- Weird Science (All Grade Levels)
NASA is sponsoring the Odyssey of the Mind Long-Term Problem -- Weird Science. To solve this problem, teams create and present a performance about a team of scientists on an expedition to uncover the cause of mysterious events. The performance must include a technical representation of the mysterious events, a moving backdrop that helps portray traveling and a team-created device that the scientists use on the expedition. Visit the site for more information and dates for regional competitions.

Host a "From Earth to the Solar System" Exhibit (Informal Educators)
Celebrate NASA's Year of the Solar System by hosting a "From Earth to the Solar System" exhibit. This collection of high-resolution images showcases the excitement of planetary exploration. The images are freely available to organizations worldwide to host their own exhibitions. The artistic and informative images weave together themes in astrobiology, planetary science and astronomy. The collection represents the current state of exploration as seen through the eyes of the scientific community.

Teacher Opportunity: Fit Explorer Challenge (Grades K-12, Informal)
Inspire the nation's future explorers by joining NASA and the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports in a variety of exciting physical and hands-on educational activities to encourage students to train like astronauts. Students in grades 3-5 will track their progress, learn the science behind nutritional and physical fitness, and relate physical Earth-based needs to the requirements of exploring in space.