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Education Payload Operation - Kit D (EPO-Kit_D)
05.15.09

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

Experiment/Payload Overview

Brief Summary

Education Payload Operation - Kit D (EPO-Kit D) includes educational items that will be used to support the live International Space Station (ISS) education downlinks and Education Payload Operation-Demonstrations (EPO-Demos) onboard the ISS. The main objective of EPO-Kit D supports the National Aeronautics and Space Administration goal of attracting students to study and seek careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Principal Investigator

  • Matthew Keil, Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX

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

    Information Pending

    Payload Developer

    Teaching From Space Office, Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX

    Sponsoring Agency

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

    Expeditions Assigned

    |19|20|

    Previous ISS Missions

    Expedition 19 will mark the first use of the EPO-Kit D materials on the ISS.

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    Experiment/Payload Description

    Research Summary

    • Education Payload Operation - Kit D (EPO-Kit D) includes a nomex backdrop with grid, gyroscopes, ruler, string, and soft Earth, moon, and Mars scale models for use onboard the ISS during the Education Payload Operation (EPO) demonstrations and live ISS education downlinks.


    • EPO-Kit D supports NASA?s goal of attracting and retaining students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Educators and students suggest activity topics for the live ISS downlinks aired on NASA TV which connect crewmembers directly to classrooms. The EPO demonstrations will be downlinked, edited, and used to support education resources for educators and students in grades K-12.

    Description

    Education Payload Operation - Kit D (EPO-Kit D) aims to inspire students to study the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to create the next generation of engineers, mathematicians, physicists, scientists and space explorers. EPO-Kit D includes a nomex backdrop with grid, gyroscopes, ruler, string, and soft Earth, moon, and Mars scale models for EPO demonstrations and live International Space Station (ISS) education downlinks. The EPO demonstrations will be downlinked, edited, and used to support education resources for educators and students in grades K-12 across the United States. Live downlinks from ISS will be aired on NASA TV and connect crewmembers directly to students in classrooms.

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    Applications

    Space Applications

    EPO-Kit D introduces the next generation of space explorers to the environment of space. This investigation will encourage students to pursue studies and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

    Earth Applications

    EPO-Kit D is part of NASA's continuing effort to use space as a unique educational tool for K-12 students. Everyday items, such as toys and tools, are given a new twist by combining them with 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

    EPO-Kit D does not require power or telemetry. However, each EPO demonstration and live downlink requires approximately one hour from at least two crewmembers, one of whom will operate the video equipment.

    Operational Protocols

    After setting up the EPO demonstration and live education downlink, at least one crewmember will perform the demonstration while another films it. The demonstration is then dismantled and returned to stowage. After the videos are returned to Earth, they will be used to develop teaching guides, project plans, and educational packages focusing on the physical sciences and technology.

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    Results/More Information

    Information Pending

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    Related Web Sites
  • NASA Education Program
  • Central Operation of Resources for Educators (CORE)

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    Publications

    Results Publications

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      Related Publications
      • McClain B, Woodard D. Extending the Learning Environment to the World's Most Unique Microgravity Laboratory: The International Space Station. 54th International Astronautical Congress of the International Astronautical Federation, the International Academy of Astronautics, and the International Institute of Space Law, Bremen, Germany. , 29 September - 3 October; IAC-03-P.5./T.5.03. 2003
      • National Aeronautics and Space Administration Educational Product. International Toys in Space - Science on the Station. DVD. ;ED-2004-06-001-JSC. 2004

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      Images

      imageEPO-Kit D items including Earth, moon, and Mars scale models, gyroscopes, string, and a ruler. Image courtesy of Feng (Michael) Li.
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      Information Provided and Updated by the ISS Program Scientist's Office
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