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Expanding Frontiers is a publication of the Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium (WaSGC).
Winter 1998
Table of Contents:
Undergraduate Research Featured At
Space Grant Poster Session
Janice DeCosmo Takes Reins as New WaSGC
Director
OUR Earth To Open Up New World for
Undergraduate Researchers
Space Grant Scholar Gains New
Perspective At AISES
Astronomy Broadens Horizons For
Washington State Students
Space Grant News
Undergraduate
Research Featured At Space Grant Poster Session
Before a gathering of more than 200 faculty, peers, and family members,
49 researchers exhibited their work from the 1997
Summer Undergraduate Research Program last autumn.
In its seven years at the University of Washington, the Washington NASA
Space Grant Consortium's summer program has paired capable students with
top-notch researchers in a variety of fields: from genetics to forestry,
seismology to astronomy.
Hans-Peter Marshall, who joined the research program the summer after
his freshman year at UW, has worked with Glacial Geophysics Professors Ed
Waddington and Howard Conway. The poster he presented for the 1997
session was based on his work on avalanches at Snoqualmie Pass.
"I learned so much, and felt I had finally found a way to combine my
math and physics background doing something I loved," Marshall said.
He is continuing his work in glacial geophysics, and has just completed
two months of work at McMurdo
Station, a U.S. research base in Antarctica.
"Ever since that first summer three years ago, I have been getting paid
to do something I enjoy, and have learned more than I could imagine," he
said. "School has a totally new meaning, and I am able to immediately
apply concepts from my physics and math classes to solve problems I am
working on. It has given me tremendous motivation to learn, and has
changed my life forever."
For many undergraduates, the WaSGC program gives them their first
glimpse into the world of research. Amy Enloe, a UW sophomore, took part
in the program for the first time last summer. Looking back over those
first few months, which culminated in the poster session, Enloe said, "I
was surprised at how much I learned."
As part of her work for Dr. Robert Brown of the Atmospheric Sciences
Department, Enloe analyzed data from NASA's Scatterometer aboard an
advanced earth observing satellite. In the process, she learned how to
use data-analysis software, investigate storms, and read weather maps.
"It was good," Enloe said. "I learned a lot making my poster...standing by
it, answering questions."
Senior Scott Ecker, who worked with Dr. Michael Gregg in Ocean Physics,
said that the research he has done as an undergraduate "is a good
extension of things I had learned in chemistry."
For him, the highlight was that he was "free to solve problems in my
own way, and they gave me great resources to do that. Also, the
opportunity to solve real problems using stuff I learned in college."
For Joy Ashizawa, a Space Grant Scholar and three-year veteran of the
Undergraduate Summer Research Program, the most valuable part of her
experience has been the hands-on work that she has done as part of her
research under the guidance of Dr. Paul Hodge in the Astronomy Department,
and sampling the life of a professional astronomer.
"You get a feel for the atmosphere of that field, what people do,"
Ashizawa said.
The program is funded by NASA, the UW
Office
of the Provost, the Mary
Gates Endowment and grants to individual participating
scientists.
Janice DeCosmo Takes Reins as New
WaSGC Director
Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium recently gained a new
director, Dr. Janice DeCosmo.
Dr. DeCosmo joined the Space Grant program in 1992 as Science
Education Coordinator and later as Associate Director. She has
initiated several WaSGC college-level programs including: OUR
Earth--Opportunities for Undergraduate Research in Earth System
Science, the Space Grant undergraduate summer research program, the
community college transfer scholarship program, and a junior
faculty award program.
She also has developed and teaches science courses and workshops
for undergraduates and pre- and in-service K-12 educators,
including this summer's Global Climate Change course for teachers.
After completing three years with the Peace Corps working as a
physics instructor and teacher trainer in Togo, West Africa,
DeCosmo returned to the University of Washington and received her
doctoral degree in Atmospheric Sciences.
Her publications from 1988 through 1997 focus in air-sea
interaction and innovations in K-12, college, and informal
education. She currently holds a research faculty position in the
Geophysics Program and teaches meteorology and Earth science
courses.
DeCosmo succeeds George Parks as WaSGC director, who originated the
Space Grant Program at the University of Washington in 1989. Dr.
Parks is continuing his affiliation with WaSGC as Associate
Director in addition to his teaching duties and ongoing research in
auroral and space plasma physics.
OUR Earth To Open Up New World for
Undergraduate Researchers
This summer, the Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium (WaSGC)
will launch OUR Earth, Opportunities for
Undergraduate Research in Earth System Science. This eight-week
interdisciplinary summer program will bring talented students from around
the country to the University of Washington to engage in cutting-edge
research dedicated to understanding Earth processes.
OUR Earth will pair undergraduates with faculty from the
departments of Atmospheric
Sciences, Electrical
Engineering, Geological
Sciences, Geophysics,
Polar Sciences, and Oceanography.
These research efforts are some of the most exciting Earth science
work in the nation employing remote sensing data. They include studying
extreme waves and marine storms; predicting the effects of forest
clearcutting; analyzing the interaction of oceans, ice and atmosphere; and
mapping geophysical variables on the great ice sheets of Antarctica and
Greenland. Also participating in OUR Earth will be the SHEBA (Surface
Heat Budget of the Arctic) project, which operates a research station
drifting in the pack ice of the Arctic Ocean.
These diverse research areas share a common goal: gaining a
better understanding of Earth systems, and, in particular, in assessing
global environmental change.
Students will work one-on-one with faculty and in groups to
understand current earth science issues with an emphasis on the
connections between traditional science disciplines. They will have
opportunities to make an oral presentation on their summer project to the
entire group of students and faculty. In the fall, local and UW
participants will present their results in a formal poster session for
faculty, peers, families and staff.
WaSGC director Janice DeCosmo explains that Earth system science
represents the integration of ideas from many different traditional
disciplines and provides a powerful way of understanding the Earth's
interwoven natural processes.
"OUR Earth allows students to explore an interdisciplinary
approach, which may be a different experience from their classes,"
Dr. DeCosmo said. "Students can concentrate on a problem important to
people and take back skills to apply to their own field."
Students will also take part in a weekly seminar series that will
examine current issues in Earth science with an emphasis on an integrated
approach to understanding global change.
The program is sponsored by NASA's Office of Earth Sciences
Education Program, Washington Space Grant Consortium, the University of
Washington, and The Boeing
Company.
Space Grant Scholar Gains New
Perspective At Gathering for Native Americans in Science
When Washington NASA Space Grant Scholar Tony Korolis began his
college career at the University of Washington in September, one of his
first priorities was to become involved in promoting minority
participation in science and engineering.
Just a few weeks after joining the UW chapter of the American Indian Science and
Engineering Society (AISES), he found himself on a
plane bound for Texas to take part in a national gathering of some of the
nation's leading Native American scientists, researchers and students.
With the help of the Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium,
Korolis flew to Houston in November to take part in the AISES annual
national conference. The event brought together thousands of Native
American high school and college students, teachers, and professional
members to promote diversity in science and engineering fields.
Events included a career fair, resume distribution, displays of
students' science projects, educational workshops and speakers. The event
culminated with a memorable powwow, which lasted into the early morning
hours.
The gathering of thousands at AISES was the first time he had been
together with so many other Native Americans.
Tony grew up in Chicago, and came to Washington state in 1989 when
his family moved to Sequim. His mother is Lac Courte Oreilles Indian, and
his father is Greek.
"A highlight of the conference for me was seeing all people coming
together, all Native, all in technical fields, "Tony said.
"It's really powerful."
The conference presented many opportunities for students like Tony
to interact directly with recruiting officers from companies seeking to
hire Native Americans in science and engineering. As a result of the
conference, Tony will work as an intern with IBM's Semiconductor Research
Facility in New York this summer.
Tony said the conference was an energizing experience.
"Even though you don't see a lot of Native Americans around
campus, it sends you back with the energy to do more and get involved
...to increase representation of Natives in universities in science and
engineering fields."
Tony received a full tuition scholarship from the Space Grant
program last year and is studying computer engineering.
Astronomy Broadens Horizons For
Washington State Students
Project Astro
Amateur and professional astronomers share the stars with upper
elementary and middle school children through Project ASTRO, an innovative
program now in its second year in the Puget Sound area.
Through Project ASTRO, local astronomers are partnered with educators
and leaders of youth groups such as Scouts or Boys and Girls Clubs.
Together, they attend a summer workshop. During the following academic
year, the astronomers make at least four school visits and work closely
with teachers on class projects that will excite students about astronomy
and help them learn more through hands-on science activities.
Project ASTRO is currently recruiting teachers, astronomers and youth
leaders for the 1998-99 academic year. Participating teachers should have
an interest in science and astronomy but are not required to have
experience in those subjects.
In addition to the partnering program, Project ASTRO is also engaged in
a wide range of follow-up activities, including lectures, special events
at the Pacific Science Center and Museum of Flight, and workshops.
Project ASTRO, developed by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, is
supported by the National Science Foundation, Washington NASA Space Grant
Consortium, the University of Washington Department of Astronomy, and
private groups, including Microsoft. Nationwide, the program now has more
than 250 participants in 150 schools and community organizations.
Group leaders, teachers, and astronomers can apply for the 1998-99
program by contacting Karen Peterson, program coordinator. Applications are due April 30, 1998. The summer training workshop will be
held July 17-18, 1998.
Astronomy Workshops
The 19 elementary and middle school teachers who registered to
attend an astronomy workshop in Omak, Wa.
were given an unusual homework assignment. Bring a few pieces of junk
from home.
When they gathered together, the reason behind this request became
clear. From these scraps of trash, several teams of teachers created their
own space aliens and explained to the rest of the class how they ate,
breathed and moved.
In addition to inventing aliens, teachers learned how to build and use
sundials, create a solar system scale model, and how to utilize lenses and
microscopes.
These hands-on workshops have been taught by Dr. Julie Lutz and Jack
Horne around Washington state for many years. Dr. Lutz is currently a
visiting professor at the University of Washington on leave from
Washington State University. Jack Horne is a science specialist at the
North Central Educational Service District.
"These workshops help teachers bring to their classrooms new
ideas for activities that will get kids directly involved in
astronomy," Dr. Lutz said.
Lutz and Horne will continue to offer these workshops in the future.
Please check the Space Grant Web site or call us for more information on
future sessions in your area.
Space Grant News
Moonlink Brings Lunar Mission To
Classroom
High school students can take part in space exploration through the
Moonlink Internet Mission, the first program to bring live, interactive
lunar exploration to the classroom.
The WaSGC is offering three grants to Washington state high schools for
the program, which links students with the Lunar Prospector mission and
NASA through the World Wide Web.
The Lunar Prospector mission, managed and controlled by the NASA Ames
Research Center, was launched in January and is currently engaged in a
one-year mapping mission from its orbit around the Moon. Scientists hope
to use these data to answer many questions that lingered after the Apollo
lunar missions 25 years ago.
Students will have opportunities to communicate with the science team
and collaborate with other student teams around the world. Students will
investigate ice at the lunar South Pole, active gas release events,
composition of the lunar surface, and magnetic and gravitational
fields.
Through Moonlink, students can select their own 150 km x 150 km
location on the Moon to study, and will be able to access the data for
that quadrant throughout Lunar Prospector's entire mission.
To apply for one of the WaSGC Moonlink grants, contact the Space Grant
office at (206) 543-1943 or (800) 659-1943. For more information, visit
the Moonlink Web site at
http://www.moonlink.com
New Public Information Specialist Joins Space
Grant
Heidi Belden has joined the WaSGC office this winter as the new public
information specialist. A native of Seattle, Heidi recently returned to
the Puget Sound area after working in Washington, D.C. as deputy press
secretary for U.S. Senator Pete Domenici of New Mexico.
Heidi graduated from Colgate
University in Hamilton, N.Y., where she
studied political science and served as an editor of the college weekly
newspaper.
When she is not working, you can often find Heidi skiing or hiking in
the Cascades, racing sailboats on Lake Union, or roller blading on the
Burke Gilman Trail.
Popular Lecture Series To Return to UW This
Spring
Back by popular demand, Geophysics 425 will return to the UW for the 1998 spring quarter.
The WaSGC-sponsored Undergraduate Seminar, Rocks and Stars, will
feature planetary geology and stellar evolution, including recent research
developments from Mars Pathfinder, Lunar Prospector, and the Hubble Space
Telescope.
This one-credit course is offered by Prof. Janice DeCosmo, director of
WaSGC. It meets Thursday afternoons from 2:30-3:20 p.m., March 30-June 5
in Room A118 in the Physics Astronomy Building at the UW Seattle Campus.
The public is invited to attend.
Moon, Mars and Asteroids
In March, UW Professor Tony Irving will host the lecture series: Moon,
Mars and Asteroids to engage the public in the excitement of current
topics in space exploration.
Three lectures will be held at The Observatory at the University of
Washington. A half-day open lab session at the Burke Museum will also
invite the public to explore moon rocks and meteorites on loan from
NASA.
The Observatory and Burke Museum are located near the north entrance of
the Seattle campus, at the corner of N.E. 45th St. and 17th Ave. N.E.
To request an application for one or more of these events, please contact
the WaSGC office at (206) 543-1943 or toll-free outside the Seattle area
at (800) 659-1943. You may also reach us by e-mail at
nasa@u.washington.edu
Moon--March 19, 6:30 p.m.
Explore the moon with results from the Lunar Prospector and Apollo
missions. The Observatory
Mars --March 26, 6:30 p.m.
Discover the red planet as you explore Mars and learn about the missions
of Pathfinder, Global Surveyor, Surveyor 98, and Surveyor 2001. The
Observatory
Open Lab Session--March 28, 12:00-3:00 p.m.
Get an up-close look at moon rocks and meteorites, including samples from
Mars at this open microscope laboratory session. Burke Museum
Asteroids--April 2, 6:30 p.m.
Learn about meteorites, NEAR asteroid mission, and the Stardust comet
mission. The Observatory
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