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Kids In Microgravity-2 (2010-2011) (Kids In Micro-g-2)
04.26.13

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Overview | Description | Applications | Operations | Results | Publications | Imagery

Experiment Overview

This content was provided by Trinesha Dixon, and is maintained in a database by the ISS Program Science Office.

Brief Summary

Kids In Micro-gravity - 2 (Kids in Micro-g-2) provides students in grades 5 - 8 a hands-on opportunity to design an experiment or simple demonstration that could be performed both in the classroom and aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Principal Investigator(s)

  • Trinesha Dixon, Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, United States

    • Co-Investigator(s)/Collaborator(s)

    Information Pending

    Developer(s)

    Johnson Space Center, National Laboratory Office, Houston, TX, United States

    Sponsoring Space Agency

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

    Sponsoring Organization

    NASA Education (EDU)

    Research Benefits

    Information Pending

    ISS Expedition Duration:

    September 2010 - September 2011

    Expeditions Assigned

    25/26,27/28

    Previous ISS Missions

    The precursor to this competition Kids In Micro-g was performed during ISS Expedition 23/24.

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    Experiment Description

    Research Overview

    • Kids In Micro-gravity - 2 (Kids in Micro-g-2) is a student experiment design challenge geared toward grades 5 - 8.


    • This investigation will give students a hands-on opportunity to design an experiment or simple demonstration that could be performed both in the classroom and aboard the International Space Station(ISS).


    • The apparatus for the demonstration must be constructed using materials from a materials tool kit provided to the astronauts on board the ISS. The tool kit consists of materials commonly found in the classroom and used for science demonstrations.

    Description

    Kids In Micro-gravity-2 (Kids in Micro-g-2) is a student experiment design challenge geared toward grades 5 - 8. Its purpose is to give students a hands-on opportunity to design an experiment or simple demonstration that could be performed both in the classroom and aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

    The winning experiments will have observably different results when the experiments are performed in the 1-gravity (1-g) environment of the classroom on Earth, compared to when the experiments are performed by astronauts in the microgravity environment (one-millionth of 1-g) environment of the ISS. The apparatus for the demonstration must be constructed using materials from a materials tool kit provided to the astronauts on board the ISS. The tool kit consists of materials commonly found in the classroom and used for science demonstrations. The following are student-designed experiments selected for operation on the ISS

    • Chabad Hebrew Academy, San Diego, CA

      • Attracting Water Drops: This experiment determines if a free-floating water drop is attracted to a static charged rubber exercise tube.

    • Neighborhood After School Science Association, Ava, NY

      • Flight of Paper Rockets Launched by Air Cannon: This experiment determines the direction and distance traveled by a paper air rocket launched in microgravity.

    • Key Peninsula Middle School, Lakebay, WA

      • Pondering the Pendulum: This experiment examines the effects of microgravity on a pendulum.

    • Potlatch Elementary, Potlatch, ID

      • Pepper Oil Surprise: This experiment investigates the interaction of liquid pepper/oil and water in a plastic bag in microgravity.

    • Gate of Heaven School, Dallas, PA

      • Buoyancy in Space: This experiment determines if the buoyancy of an object is affected in a microgravity environment.

    • Will James Middle School in Billings, MT

      • A Comparison of Dispersion of Liquid Pepper under Microgravity and Earth Conditions: This experiment compares the dispersal of liquid pepper in microgravity to Earth's gravity.

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    Applications

    Space Applications

    Kids in Micro-g-2 is designed to encourage students to pursue studies and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

    Earth Applications

    Kids In Micro-g is part of NASA's continuing effort to use space as a unique educational tool for students. Science is given a new twist by combining the allure of space flight and the unusual weightless environment to produce educational materials that inspire interest in science and technology and encourage curiosity and creativity.

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    Operations

    Operational Requirements

    The experiment demonstration must take no more than 30 minutes to set up, run and take down. The experiments will be recorded onboard in HD video and the winners supplied with copies of their video before the end of their school year.

    Operational Protocols

    The operational protocols will be determined once the entry is selected for operation onboard the ISS.

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    Results/More Information

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    Related Websites
  • Kids In Micro-g
  • Attracting Water Drops Video
  • Pondering the Pendulum Video
  • Pepper Oil Surprise Video
  • Kids in Micro-g Video Intro with Cady Coleman

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    Imagery

    image NASA Image: ISS024E014999 - NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson, Expedition 24 flight engineer, conducts a demonstration for the "Kids in Space" session for Water Absorption Flight Procedures #40 in the Columbus laboratory of the International Space Station.
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    Information provided by the investigation team to the ISS Program Scientist's Office.
    If updates are needed to the summary please contact JSC-ISS-Program-Science-Group. For other general questions regarding space station research and technology, please feel free to call our help line at 281-244-6187 or e-mail at JSC-ISS-Research-Helpline.
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