Astrobiology In Secondary Classrooms

Ms. Dyana Lucas wins 4th place in the student poster contest at AbSciCon 2010

2010-04-29T03:46:00.000-07:00

Photo Left to Right: Dyana Lucas, Dr. Barry Blumberg, Meredith Berthelson, and Michael Ceballos

Congratulations are in order for Ms. Dyana Lucas who won 4th place for her poster presentation at AbSciCon 2010.

She was recognized along with three other students for delivering the best poster presentations out of hundreds of posters from undergraduates through doctoral students. Dr. Barry Blumberg (Nobel recipient in Medicine, 1976) was one of the judges who grilled her for over 20 minutes. Apparently, she answered questions to his satisfaction (see photo). She was awarded a $500 prize as well. Congrats Dyana....!!!

Dine College student, Dyana Lucas, completed astrobiology research in two semesters in 2009-2010 while studying at the University of Montana in the Native American Research Laboratory.

Story submitted by Don Benn, PhD, University of Montana in the Native American Research Laboratory

Astrobiology Science Conference 2010 (AbSciCon 2010)

2010-04-28T05:16:00.000-07:00

The Astrobiology Science Conference 2010 (AbSciCon 2010) is being held April 26–29, 2010, at the South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center in League City, Texas. brought together scientists from all over the world who are working in the multidisciplinary field of astrobiology.

The Minority Insittute Astrobiology Institute (MIAC) co-sponsored several meetings as part of AbSciCon 2010. The purpose of these events is to discuss strategies for encouraging the participation of Minority Serving Institutions in astrobiology research and education. For more information about MIAC visit the website: MIACnetwork.org

Astrobiology is the study of the origin, distribution, and destiny of life in the universe. The goal of this field is focused on addressing three fundamental questions in science: 1) How did life begin and evolve, 2) Does life exist elsewhere in the universe and 3) What is the future of life on Earth and beyond? To approach solutions to these questions, the field of astrobiology emphasizes interdisciplinary connections including involvement of multidisciplinary scientific fields, international partners, collaborations, and the inclusion of scientists of all ages, genders, and ethnicities.

Schedule of Minority Institution focused sessions at AbSciCon:

1. Sunday, April 25 8:30-4:30. All day meeting focusing on research and curriculum development at Minority Institutions.

2. Monday, April 26 8:00 – 10:00 A.M. A.M. Diversity in Astrobiology Research and Education

3. Tuesday April 27 7:00–8:00 A.M. MI Breakfast Networking Session

4. Wednesday April 28 5:30–7:00 P.M. MI Evening Networking Session.

5. Thursday April 29 7:00-8:00 A.M.

AbSciCon 2010

2010-04-27T10:35:00.001-07:00

Description of Minority Institution Sessions AbSciCon 2010

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MI Session Descriptions:

Sunday April 25

8:30 A.M.-4:30 P.M. This was an all day meeting focusing on the integration of research and curriculum development at Minority Colleges and Universities with the astrobiology curriculum being developed at Tennessee State University, Astrobiology in Secondary Classrooms (ASC). Please feel free to drop by for even a short time—overflow seating is available. For more information about ASC see the website: http://www.astroclassroom.org/

Monday, April 26

8:00 – 10:00 A.M. Diversity in Astrobiology Research and Education in Crystal Salon C

See the list of presentations at the end of this email by researchers, undergraduate and graduate students, and curriculum developers from Minority Institutions. This is an official session of AbSciCon.

6:00 P.M. POSTER SESSION: DIVERSITY IN ASTROBIOLOGY RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

Tuesday April 27

7:00-8:00 A.M.: MI Breakfast Networking Session. Please pick up your breakfast and join us for a networking session. We will discuss how Minority Institutions are making contributions to astrobiology. Even if you can only join us for a few minutes come and meet our MIAC members, researchers and high school teachers in the ASC project. Materials for learning about MIAC and joining our group will be available. We will be sure you are aware of other opportunities, become familiar with contributions of the minority community to astrobiology and identify ways that you can work with our researchers.

Wednesday April 28

5:30- 7:00 P.M.: MI Evening Networking Session. Please join us for a networking opportunity after the conference sessions are over. We can plan to go together to the evening AbSciCon event or other activities for the group. Please feel free to drop in for even a few minutes. Materials for learning about MIAC and joining our group will be available.

Thursday April 29

7:00-8:00 A.M. MI Breakfast Networking Session. Please pick up your breakfast and join us for a networking session. We will discuss how Minority Institutions are making contributions to astrobiology. Even if you can only join us for a few minutes come and meet our MIAC members, researchers and high school teachers in the ASC project. Materials for learning about MIAC and joining our group will be available. You will learn about contributions of the minority community to astrobiology and how you can work with our researchers.

DIVERSITY IN ASTROBIOLOGY RESEARCH AND EDUCATION AbSciCon 2010

2010-04-25T05:30:00.000-07:00

Monday, April 26, 2010

DIVERSITY IN ASTROBIOLOGY RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

This session shares a diverse group of researchers’ astrobiology experiences and explores topics such as institutional support, student interest, and models for sustaining or expanding opportunities for diversity in the field.

Chairs: Todd Gary and Leigh Arino de la Rubia

8:00 A.M. Cavosie A. J. *‘Impact’ of the NAI-MIRS Program on Astrobiology Research at a Minority Institution: Connecting Univ. of Puerto Rico to South Africa to Univ. of Wisconsin to NASA [#5422] This abstract describes the outcome of the research and student-related activities at the University of Puerto Rico that resulted from the NAI-MIRS award I received in 2009.

8:15 A.M. Melchiorre E. B. * Lopez A. Velasquez C. M. Stable Isotope Astrobiology at Hispanic Serving Institutions: Si Se Puede! [#5366] A “crawl-walk-run” strategy has been used to create a strong, sustainable program in stable isotope geochemistry with an emphasis on astrobiology. The result was the creation of a vibrant program addressing the record of early life on Earth.

8:30 A.M. Misra P. * Garcia R. Mahaffy P. R. Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry Measurements and Protocols for Database and Library Development Relating to Organic Species in Support of the Mars Science Laboratory [#5195] An organic contaminant database and library has been developed for use with the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrumentation utilizing laboratory-based Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry measurements of pyrolyzed and baked material samples.

8:45 A.M. Mendez A. *Studying Planetary Habitability After a NASA Astrobiology Institute MIRS Sabbatical [#5606] The NASA Astrobiology Institute Minority Institution Research Support (NAI-MIRS) opened an opportunity for professors and students to study planetary habitability at the University of Puerto Rico.

9:00 A.M. Walter D. K. * Diversity in Astrobiology: Surviving Financial, Institutional and Technical Extremes [#5486]We discuss the development of an astrobiology program at an undergraduate institution, South Carolina State University, a HBCU in a rural setting. Included are successes and barriers to developing curriculum, research and outreach programs.

9:15 A.M. Tariq M. A. * Shishodia S. Ramesh G. T. Sodipe A. Jejelowo O. Pourmand N. DNA Repair Genes Expression Analysis of Acute Dose Charge Particle Radiation [#5363] This study will present gene expression changes induced by positively charged particle in four categories i.e. 0 Gy, 0.1 Gy, 1.0 Gy and 2.0 Gy in nine different DNA repair genes from testes of mouse using qPCR analysis.

9:30 A.M. Bueno J. E. * Gonzalez W. A. Moreno A. N. Sarmiento G. A. Astrobiology Program in Colombia: A New Educational Tool [#5380] In search of answers to the educational paradigms, in action to educate and inspire students in science and technology, and if each activity where the word education is relevant to define each process that human beings develops in interaction with knowledge.

9:45 A.M. McCoy K. B. * Derecho I. Dallal F. Venkateswaran K. Mogul R.Student Perspectives to Conducting Astrobiology Research at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions [#5603]The student-centered challenges, concerns, and benefits to conducting astrobiological research at minority-serving primarily undergraduate institutions will be discussed in this session.

POSTER SESSION AbSciCon 2010: DIVERSITY IN ASTROBIOLOGY RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

2010-04-24T05:37:00.000-07:00

POSTER SESSION: DIVERSITY IN ASTROBIOLOGY RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

Monday, April 26, 2010 6:00 P.M. Marina Plaza Ballroom

Czy!ewska U. K. Methodological Aspects of Astrobiology as a Multidisciplinary Science [#50 The paper presents wide range of diversity in astrobiology research including methodology, philosophy of science

and linguistics. The main purpose of my article is to analyze and confront relationships of interchangeably used notations related to astrobiology.

Serrano Y.An Astrobiology Experience at Puerto Rico Public Schools [#5130] One hundred and thirty students from grades 7 to 9, plus 10 teachers participated in the Discover Astrobiology

Activity. This type of activity increases the interest of student in science with an interdisciplinary perspective.

Butler J. Arino de la Rubia L. Gary T. Kuner S. Ceballos R. M. Pfiffner S. Brown S.The Astrobiology in Secondary Classroom (ASC) Curriculum Development Project: Focusing Upon DiverseStudents and Teachers in the Pilot Testing Process [#5362] The ASC curriculum guide is designed to address the learning styles present in diverse classrooms by incorporating research-based teaching strategies that increase participation of underrepresented groups in STEM fields.

Berthelson M. Morales C. Ceballos M. The Native American Astrobiology in the Secondary Classroom Initiative [#5592] Astrobiology as a platform to engage Native American K-12 Students into the sciences and mathematics with the intent of helping them change any negative views of science and mathematics into possible future educational goals and career paths.

Amezquita W. A. G. López G. A. S. Prieto J. E. B.Astrobiology Program in Colombia: A New Educational Tool [#5248] In search of answers to the educational paradigms, in action to educate and inspire students in science and technology, and if each activity where the word educa-tion is relevant to define each process that human beings develops in interaction with knowledge.

Gale J. Interdisciplinary Teaching, a First Step Toward Interdisciplinary Astrobiology Research [#5158] An interdisciplinary elective workshop for third year undergraduates, on the Astrobiology of Planet Earth, is described. It puts planet Earth and the appearance, evolution, survival and future of life and humanity as the central theme.

Arino de la Rubia L. Butler J. Gary T. Pfiffner S. Kuner S. A Case Study of the Opportunities and Challenges Presented by Intgrating Authentic Data into Diverse High School Classrooms [#5326]This presentation is a case study of the ASC curriculum development project’s goal to increase the use of authentic scientific data by translating data from NAI team researchers into scientific data sets suitable for analysis by high school students.

Gary T. Butler J. Kirven-Brooks M. Bell B. Bradford K. Kuner S. Arino de la Rubia L. The NASA Astrobiology Institute — Minority Institution Research Support Program: Supporting the Next Generation of Astrobiologists [#5389] This presentation discusses ways in which astrobiology research programs can participate in the NAI-MIRS program as well as the successes and challenges in identifying talented researchers who inspire the next generation of astrobiologists.

Brelsford M. A. Peters J. Grimberg B. I. Science Inquiry Learning in Classrooms — Montana Style [#5470] Montana’s ABRC is working with rural school teachers in southwestern Montana. Astrobiology is a new and exciting subject for the teachers and its inter-disciplinary nature is very useful and rewarding for the teachers and their students.

Conrad P. G. Phillips K. E. Sohus A. M. Building 21st Century Explorers: Learning About Astrobiology Exploration Interactively [#5545] We report a collaboration between researchers and a major museum in an attempt to teach the public about interdisciplinary exploration, both interactively and immediately responsive to new discovery.

Norsted B. A. Astrobiology Night at the Ballpark — Science Outreach to Non-Traditional Audiences [#5003] The University of Wisconsin Geology Museum with funding from the NASA Astrobiology Institute is targeting new audiences who don’t typically seek out science outreach events. In 2009 these partners sponsored an Astrobiology Night at the Ballpark.

Teacher Workshop at Dyer Observatory

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Teachers from across Middle Tennessee attended the Dyer Observatory "Eyes On The Skies" Workshop July 21-25, 2008. Visit the Dyer Observatory website to Learn more about teacher workshops and community outreach at: http://www.dyer.vanderbilt.edu/

During several of the sessions teachers used activities from the Astrobiology In Secondary Classroom curriculum currently underdevelopment by a team of teachers, scientists, and faculty at Tennessee State University.

Thank you to Dyer Observatory for including these materials in the workshop!

Teachers Explore the Alta Spectrometers

2008-07-23T18:54:00.000-07:00

The ALTA® Reflectance Spectrometer is a handheld device that is suitable for classroom use for measuring the proportion of light that reflects off objects as a function of the light's wavelength.

Allan Treiman of the Lunar and Planetary Institute designed this devise to provide schools an affordable way to explore reflectance spectroscopy. "The spectrometer uses light in visible colors (blue through red in seven wavelengths) and in four invisible "colors" of infrared light. The results are good models of spectra from NASA probes like Mars Pathfinder and environmental satellites like LANDSAT. The spectrometer can be used in any class that deals with light, color, or spectroscopy. .. The ALTA® Reflectance Spectrometer is ideal for open-ended student research." Quote from the Lunar and Planetary Institute website: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/products/spectrometer/

A class set of ALTA Spectrometers can be borrowed from the Lunar and Planetary Institute at the following website: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/products/spectrometer/loan.shtml.

The Alta is used as a standalone unit and does not require an interface or computer to attach to. Using this instrument, students will discover that different materials absorb and reflect different wavelengths of light. Reflectivity is a property that is important in many situations from deciding what color the outside of a satellite should be to hypothesizing about the color of plant life that might exist in another solar system.

In this ASC lesson, teachers select a green leaf to analyze. The leaf was large enough that the sensor array under the ALTA fit on the leaf. The teachers recorded their data on to the chart in the lesson guide and made a graph of the result. See the results int he next ASC Blog posting.
Photos taken during a teacher workshop at Dyer Observatory July 21, 2008.

Teachers Graph the Data from the Alta Spectrometers

2008-07-23T18:17:00.000-07:00

Teachers graph their data as “reflectance vs. light wavelength” and emphasize that this graph is a reflectance spectrum characteristic of their leaf. Teachers discussed their graphs and talked about any differences due to scales used on the axes or slight variations in leaf colors. They compared their data to the sample in the Vernier teacher's guide that came with the The ALTA® Reflectance Spectrometer.

Photos taken during a teacher workshop at Dyer Observatory July 21, 2008.

When teaching this as part of Astrobiology in the Secondary Classroom (ASC) lessons teachers will encourage their students to discuss how scientists use spectra analysis to search for life in the universe.

Teachers Experiment with UVB Probeware and Lab Quests

2008-07-23T16:19:00.000-07:00

Ultraviolet light is part of the electromagnetic that has a wavelength shorter than that of the violet end of the visible spectrum but longer than that of X-rays. The frequencies are higher than those that humans see as the color violet.

Ultraviolet light is placed into categories of A and B depending on the wavelength and frequency. This lesson uses a hand held piece of equipment called a LabQuest made by Vernier Scientific. Attached to the LabQuest is a UVB probe that senses ultraviolet light (UVB).