Fact Sheet

Text Size

Kids In Microgravity-3 (2011-2012) (Kids_In_Micro-g-3)
03.21.12

Overview | Description | Applications | Operations | Results | Publications | Images

Experiment/Payload Overview

Brief Summary

Kids In Micro-gravity ? 3 (Kids in Micro-g-3) 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

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

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

    Information Pending

    Payload Developer

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

    Sponsoring Space Agency

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

    Sponsoring Organization:

    National Laboratory Office - Education (NLO-Education)

    ISS Expedition Duration:



    Expeditions Assigned

    Information Pending

    Previous ISS Missions

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

    ^ back to top


    Experiment/Payload Description

    Research Summary

    • Kids In Micro-gravity ? 3 (Kids in Micro-g-3) is a student experiment design challenge geared toward grades 5 - 8.


    • This investigation gives 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 toolkit provided to the crewmembers on board the ISS. The toolkit consists of materials commonly found in the classroom and used for science demonstrations.

    Description

    Kids In Micro-gravity ? 3 (Kids in Micro-g-3) 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 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 crewmembers 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 toolkit provided to the crewmembers on board the ISS. The toolkit consists of materials commonly found in the classroom and used for science demonstrations.

    ^ back to top


    Applications

    Space Applications

    Kids in Micro-g-3 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.

    ^ back to top


    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 are determined once the entry is selected for operation on board the ISS.

    ^ back to top


    Results/More Information

    Information Pending

    ^ back to top


    Related Web Sites
  • Kids In Micro-g

    • ^ back to top


    Publications

    ^ back to top


    Ground Based Results Publications

    ^ back to top


    ISS Patent Publications

    ^ back to top


    Related Publications

    ^ back to top


    Images

    imageNASA 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.


    + View Larger Image


    imageVideo screen shot: Cady Coleman and Ron Garan observing a water drop as it orbits around the charged tubing as they perform Attaching Water Drops. Image courtesy of Teaching From Space Office, NASA Johnson Space Center.


    + View Larger Image


    imageVideo Screen Shot: Cady gathers liquid pepper and liquid salt for the Kids in Micro-g experiment. Image courtesy of Teaching From Space.


    + View Larger Image


    imageVideo Screen Shot: Ron Garan and Cady Coleman explain Newton't Laws in the Flight of Paper Rockets experiment. Image courtesy of Teaching From Space Office, NASA Johnson Space Center.


    + View Larger Image


    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-Payloads-Helpline.
    › Back To Top