In this project, students become cultural astronomers. They take a survey about the moon; draw images or take digital pictures of the moon once a week or more at approximately the same time each evening for one month to get the full cycle. After posting their images with time, date, latitude, and longitude, students research and compare each others' images of the moon; create more web pages that include poetry, history, beliefs, stories, and research. Students use dialogue, comments, and discussion to share their valuable insights. The project ends with a final survey and sharing reflections. Students receive iCollaboratory/Kidlink/SpacEdge Web Badges and certificates for completing each of the four sections of the project. Students also receive a certificate for completing all four sections of the project.
This is the second in a series of experiments comparing water movement in regolith simulants in reduced and microgravity environments. During the first set of experiments, students tested the rate of water intake in these different simulants, tracking water movement and finding that though the water intake increased in the Mars regolith simulant and the VEGGIE growth medium, almost no movement was seen in the lunar regolith simulant (JSC-1A). Ms. Tomlin had the opportunity to test these student experiments in different microgravity environments aboard a 0-g flight. This project allows students to investigate regolith behavior on Earth, as well as consider its behavior off world.
- Teacher: Kevin Crosby
- Teacher: Vivien Hastings
This is the first in a series of experiments comparing water movement in Lunar regolith simulant, Mars regolith simulant and ISS-VEGGIE growth substrate inside and outside of microgravity environments. Students learn to understand the effects of these environments on capillary action, or upwards water movement, as well as the mechanics of force and motion and the influence of gravity on water diffusion. Ms. Tomlin had the opportunity to test these student experiments in different microgravity environments aboard a 0-g flight. This project allows students to investigate regolith behavior on Earth, as well as consider its behavior off world.
- Teacher: Natalie Orrantia
