Science mentors needed for schools in Spaceflight Experiments program

Rocket to space
Courtesy SSEP

The 6th grade students at Highland Terrace Elementary and 8th grade students at Einstein Middle School have an amazing opportunity to participate in the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program this year. (see previous article)

This is a national educational program undertaken by the National Center for Earth and Space Science Education (NCESSE) in partnership with NanoRacks, LLC. One student experiment from either Einstein or Highland Terrace will be chosen from a field of over 100 completed scientific proposals from to be performed on the International Space Station this fall.

Now that they are underway, students would benefit from mentors with expertise in these areas:

• biology (i.e. cell biology, genetics, enzymes, proteins, bacteriology, plant growth and reproduction, microorganisms)
• chemistry (i.e. crystal growth, micro-capsulation, food testing/food production, fluid diffusion, compounds and mixtures)
• environmental science (i.e. fish and aquatic life, water pollution)
• physics
• medicine
• engineering

Mentors might correspond with student teams via email or Skype, answering general questions, or might work with individual teams more specifically on the designs of experiments to be performed on the International Space Station this fall. 

In addition we need people with a background in science to help us select three proposals for final consideration in May.

If you would be willing to help, contact Mike VanOrden, Principal at Highland Terrace Elementary, 206-393-4343.