This hands-on demonstration of the communications path between scientists and the NASA Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) Satellite shows how scientific data are downloaded from the satellite. The same demonstration can also be used to illustrate how the instruments on the satellite are commanded by scientists on Earth. It gives students a feel for the dynamics of satellite communications and orbital ... Full description.

This module is designed to connect cutting edge NASA research with the teaching and learning of core science and mathematics concepts and skills while addressing state and national education standards. The process of science inquiry and the tools used to do research play a major role in all the lessons. Topics and research projects include Temperature Variations and Habitability, Modeling Hot and ... Full description.

The New Millennium Observatory (NeMO) is a seafloor observatory off the coast of Oregon, which studies the relationships between submarine volcanic events and the chemistry and distribution of hydrothermal vents and the biologic communities that depend on them. The research activities at NeMO provide an extraordinary educational opportunity, both from the daily reports from expeditions at sea and ... Full description.

In this lesson plan students will learn the basics about how tornadoes are formed, and where and when they are most likely to occur. They will then study the current research on tornadoes and explore how scientists are trying to predict them. They will learn about the equipment storm chasers use to study tornadoes and will develop their own research plans. Full description.

This 2-3 week module, based on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Cassini mission to Saturn, uses the mission as a context for learning fundamental science/math concepts. It consists of six standards-based, constructivist lessons, enrichment activities, and supplemental material such as questions and answers, a glossary, and a chart of Cassini's position in the sky. Full description.

This lesson plan is part of the Center for Educational Resources (CERES), a series of web-based astronomy lessons created by a team of master teachers, university faculty, and NASA researchers. Students download NASA Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images of the Martian polar ice caps from different times to measure and compare the changing Martian and Earth poles. This lesson contains expected outcomes ... Full description.

This site is designed to engage students in grades 7-12 in activities that focus on collaboration and communication strategies. These activities will strengthen student understanding of and ability to use collaborative processes and communication practices to clarify, conceptualize, and make decisions. Students will compare the risks of varying courses of action that confront scientists and engineers. ... Full description.

This six-day unit has students investigate the challenges of living and working in Antarctica and how researchers prepare for them, and then evaluate the insulating properties of a variety of fabrics, collecting their findings in a portfolio. The comprehensive curriculum materials at this site include an online activity in which students review the preparation materials given to researchers before ... Full description.

In this article, The Why Files discusses the use of robots for space exploration and other work here on Earth. Mars Pathfinder and Sojourner are discussed in detail with information about how they work and their purpose on Mars. The Mars Global Surveyor is also briefly discussed. Transferring this technology to Earth has improved the development of robots to do underwater research, as well as ideas ... Full description.

This Why Files article discusses the problem of space junk, which encompasses all of the man-made objects sent into space that are not being used anymore. These items are now lost in space, which could cause problems if future missions come into contact with the fast-moving debris. The article covers two specific Mars missions that went bad: the Mars Polar Lander and Mars Orbiter. Both of these expensive ... Full description.