NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

In the first ten years of continuous human presence on the space station, a wide range of student experiments and educational activities has been performed. Many of these programs still continue, and others are being developed and added to space station tasks on a regular basis. Here we list some of the currently active education-related space station experiments. You can also visit our Educational experiments site to learn more about all of the education-related research activities that have been performed on the space station.

Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus Science Insert
The Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus Science Insert (CSI) experiments are educational payloads designed to interest K-12 students in science, technology, engineering and math by providing the opportunity for these students to participate in near real-time research conducted on board the ISS. The project is managed by BioServe Technologies and has coordinated with:

Orion's Quest
Adventures of the Agronauts
Baylor College of Medicine's Center for Educational Outreach
Monarch Watch at University of Kansas
Denver Museum of Nature and Science

EarthKAM
Earth Knowledge Acquired by Middle School Students (EarthKAM) is an education activity that allows middle school students to program a digital camera on board the space station to photograph a variety of geographical targets for study in the classroom.

Kids in Microgravity Experiment Challenge
"Kids in Micro-g" was a student experiment design challenge geared toward grades 5-8 and took place during the school years 2009-2010. Its purpose was to give students a hands-on opportunity to design an experiment or simple demonstration that could be performed both in the classroom and by astronauts aboard the International Space Station.

SPHERES -- Zero Robotics
The Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites - Zero - Robotics (SPHERES-Zero-Robotics) investigation establishes a opportunity for high school students to design research for the International Space Station (ISS). As part of a competition, students write algorithms for the SPHERES satellites to accomplish tasks relevant to future space missions. The algorithms are tested by the SPHERES team and the best designs are selected for the competition to operate the SPHERES satellites on board the ISS. Visit the Zero Robotics website for details.

Tomatosphere
The Tomatosphere project sent 400,000 tomato seeds to the space station for exposure to the space environment. The seeds were returned to Earth for use in 10,000 classrooms throughout Canada as a learning resource. Students will measure the germination rates, growth patterns and vigor of growth of the seeds. For more information, visit the Tomatosphere website.

Saturday Morning Science
Expedition 6 and 30 astronaut Don Pettit uses his time on the International Space Station to shed the light of science on a variety of subjects. Check out some of his cool Expedition 6 experiments here and his Expedition 30 experiments here.

Buzz Lightyear® on ISS
The 12-inch-tall action star spent more than 15 months on the orbital outpost, before returning to Earth aboard space shuttle Discovery's STS-128 mission on Sept. 11, 2009, flying to space as part of an education initiative between Disney Parks, Pixar and NASA. Visit the website for more information, games, and interactive media.

Educator Astronaut Program
NASA's Educator Astronaut Program Astronaut Program is helping educators and students experience NASA missions in a whole new light. K-12 educators are now part of the NASA Astronaut Corps and are trained to carry out all of the tasks and responsibilities that Mission Specialist astronauts are qualified to perform. These educator astronauts share their experiences with classroom students across the United States.

High Schools United With NASA to Create Hardware (HUNCH)
The High Schools United with NASA to Create Hardware, or HUNCH, project provides work experiences to inspire high school career technology and engineering academy students to pursue careers in science and engineering fields. Visit the website for opportunities.

NASA's Educator Site
Visit NASA's website for Educators for more information on educational programs, opportunities for students and teachers, and curricula for all things NASA.

NASA Fit Explorer Challenge
Inspire the nation's future explorers by joining NASA and the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, or PCPFS, in a variety of exciting physical and hands-on activities to encourage students to train like an astronaut! Visit the website to learn how to participate.

LEGO Bricks
Astronauts on board the International Space Station will be building LEGO^TMEducation models, completing activities and recording their results starting in the fall of 2011. Explore life in space with your elementary students or investigate how simple machines react in microgravity with your class!

Teaching From Space
Are you an educator who is interested in space exploration? Do you want to learn more about how you and your students can get involved in real space missions? NASA offers out-of-this-world experiences available to you at the Teaching From Space website.

Looking for a great tool to demonstrate microgravity concepts to students? Check out the International Toys in Space Video Resource Guide and also the Microgravity Educator Guide.

To find information for students and kids at the space station international partner agencies, visit their websites:

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA):

• For Kids Only
• Kid’s Club
• NASA Quest
• NASA Students
• Solar System Education for Kids
• The Space Place

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA):

• Space Station Kids!

European Space Agency (ESA):

• ESA Kids

Canadian Space Agency (CSA):

• Kidspace
• Students Zone