ISGC has three scholarships available to undergraduate students. Scholarships are available for Research Fellowhips, Preservice Education, and merit.
The ISGC strives to improve Iowa’s future in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education and provides outreach activities through numerous programs, including scholarships and fellowships.
The deadline to apply is June 30, 2019. For more information please visit: https://www.iaspacegrant.org/funding/undergrads/
The Iowa Space Grant Consortium (ISGC) requests proposals for the curriculum development program which is to develop or utilize innovative approaches to improve Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) learning and instruction in a university setting through project based course development, capstone courses, curriculum or course redesign, and could include preservice education courses to prepare STEM K-12 educators. Such projects should provide experiences that will equip the future STEM workforce for careers in aerospace or related industries important to NASA.
If you or an educator/instructor you know is interested in an award of up to $10,000 for learning and instruction in a university setting, please apply for the curriculum development program. Deadline to apply is July 22, 2019. Details available at: https://www.iaspacegrant.org/funding/faculty/
A former NASA test pilot and 35-year veteran of military aviation, Ed “Fast Eddie” Schneider will share his knowledge and many experiences in a special guest appearance Friday, April 26.
A guest of the Department of Aerospace Engineering’s chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), he will present a lecture in 0010 Howe Hall at 6:00 p.m.
Schneider’s presentation is titled, “The SR-71 Blackbird, a Research Pilot’s Perspective.” The presentation will cover a history of the triple-sonic Blackbird aircraft family, technical descriptions of the aircraft, and Schneider’s first-hand experience about what it’s like to fly at a speed of Mach 3 at 80,000 ft. A question and answer session will follow the lecture.
The lecture is open to all Iowa State University undergraduates, graduate students, faculty and staff.
Prior to the lecture, the AIAA will be holding a dinner for ISU aerospace engineering students, which can be registered for here.
Schneider became the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School’s youngest graduate at age 24 in 1973. He served on active duty in the U.S. Navy until joining NASA in 1983. At NASA, Schneider became an aerospace research pilot at the Dryden Flight Research Center from 1983-2000, and at the Johnson Space Center from 2000-2004. During his 18-year-career at Dryden, Schneider was best known for his work as project pilot for the F-18 High Alpha Research Vehicle over a nine-year span, becoming the first pilot in history to conduct multi-axis thrust vectored flight.
During his career Schneider flew over 7,800 hours in 80 types of aircraft, including the SR-71 Blackbird from 1994-1999.
Schneider is a fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, and served as the organization’s President in 1993-94. He is also an inductee of the Kentucky Aviation Hall of Fame, and was awarded the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, the agency’s highest award.
STEM on Station, a NASA Office of STEM Engagement activity, is currently accepting proposals from United States educational organizations interested in hosting an In-flight Education Downlink. A downlink is a twenty-minute, live video question and answer session between an educational organization and an astronaut aboard the International Space Station.
STEM on Station is currently accepting proposals for organizations to host a downlink during ISS Expeditions 61/62 which runs October 2019 to April 2020. Any interested organizations should submit the proposal (below), to JSC-downlinks@mail.nasa.gov. The deadline to apply is Monday, June 3.
Hosting an educational downlink provides a great opportunity to educational organizations looking to provide a unique, authentic experience to enhance their student’s learning, performance and interest in science.
Interested organizations are strongly encouraged to attend an online informational session:
Tuesday, April 9 at noon Central Time, https://zoom.us/j/151698891 (Audio only available by dialing: 1-929-436-2866 with a Meeting ID: 151 698 891)
Wednesday, May 1 at 3:30pm Central Time, https://zoom.us/j/309293519 (Audio only available by dialing: 1-929-436-2866 with a Meeting ID: 174 894 528)
The Iowa Space Grant Consortium is looking for submissions for a new logo. The contest is open to students sponsored by ISGC and the deadline for submissions is May 11.
The logo should not be focused on any one Iowa academic institution, should be designed so that patches and pins could be created (max size 4in) without compromising detail, and should be representative of the state of Iowa and our work. Winners will be selected in the summer following the May 11 deadline.
Please direct any questions and/or final submissions to ISGC office at: isgc@iastate.edu.
Fifteen students and two faculty members from the University of Northern Iowa, along with Dr. Morgan Cable, a NASA astrobiologist, had the opportunity to travel inside Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota for their spring break for a simulated astrobiological field research expedition as part of a hands-on field chemistry course.
This field trip, partially funded by the Iowa Space Grant Consortium, was meant for the undergraduate students to learn what an astrobiologist may endure while field sampling in potentially extreme environments.
The students operated many instruments including Geiger Counters, an X-Ray Fluorescence and smart phone microscopes to study the structures inside the cave. Along with learning how to use these instruments under field conditions, the students’ research results will provide the park staff with new information about the cave.
Dr. Cable provided advanced support for the students from her extensive knowledge in comparing extreme environments on Earth to other areas in the solar system where life may be found. Extreme environments like the Wind Cave, help scientists better understand the limits of life and its relations to space.
The class will be sharing their experience and initial results with the public at the 131 Iowa Academy of Science Meeting on April 26, at the University of Northern Iowa.