October 2007

Kate Coleman, a Space Center graduate student, spoke to a group of kids at Washington Junior High School in Bentonville, Arkansas.  Below is her account of the visit.

I was recently invited to Washington Junior High School in Bentonville, Arkansas, to present information about careers in science to eight classes of seventh graders. My invitation to present was due to a state mandate to have more presentations by scientists about career avenues in the sciences.  I had a great time talking with these young people. I started by touching on careers in geoscience fields including petroleum and GIS. Then I presented information on career opportunities in space and planetary sciences working for organizations such as NASA, JPL, and Malin Space Science Systems. In discussing these opportunities, I showed the students numerous images of instruments and cameras studying other planetary bodies and gave them information about various spacecraft missions. I answered many questions and was impressed by the depth of understanding they illustrated. Finally, I presented the students with an overview of my research into gullies on Mars, the importance of water on Mars, and future human exploration. I per-sonally gained a new appreciation for teachers and their dedication to the field of education. The students sent me a huge stack of thank you notes along with good wishes in my research.  Overall, I had a wonderful day and think a great time was had by all.

July 2007

Rob Pilgrim (seen in the photo at left), a Space Center graduate student, spoke to a group of K-4 grade kids at Farmington Library in Farmington, Arkansas.  His talk explained basic concepts of the solar system and included audience participation and questions.  His mentor is Dr. Rick Ulrich, the deputy director of the Space Center and a faculty member in the department of Chemical Engineering. 

Kate Coleman, a Space Center graduate student, visited a group of K-6 students at Coleman's Children's Academy in Springdale, Arkansas.  She also took along with her one of the Space Center summer REU students, Kelly Howe.

Kathy Gietzen, a Space Center graduate student, visited a group of K-5 students at Harp Elementary School in Sprindale, Arkansas.  She spoke about general solar system principles and concepts.

Space Center graduate students Katie Bryson and Jonathan Craig (group photo at left) spent three weeks teaching a class called Exploring Mars for the Summer Institute for Gifted and Talented Scholars.  The Summer Institute is a residential program for students with exceptional academic ability entering the 8th, 9th, and 10th grade.  The class focused on exploring the red planet; from past, present, and future missions to understanding the geology and possibilities for life.  In addition, such topics as terraforming were discussed and debated.  Hands on activities, such as observing regoliths and calibrating radio controlled “rovers” brought Mars exploration into the classroom.  Talks were given by University faculty to provide an idea of what research is done right here in Arkansas on Mars and mission planning.  The students ended the program working in groups to plan their own mission to Mars, which they presented in a conference style poster to their parents at the end of the program.

April 2006

The future of science, in particular the continued exploration of space, lies in the hands of the youth.  In an effort to do my part in promoting science to young people, I dropped by the Fredericksburg Elementary School in Fredericksburg, Iowa, on March 24, 2006, to visit my sister Katelyn’s 5th grade class.  Her class was beginning a new science unit on the planets.  The topic for the day’s discussion was asteroids, otherwise known as the building blocks of planets.  After the presentation, I gave the class a chance to ask questions.  The students were very engaged, asking questions about asteroids, space in general, life on Mars, and what it takes to be a scientist.  I hope that I convinced at least a few of the students that being a space and planetary scientist is a really fantastic career and worth considering, but if nothing else, they have learned a few facts about asteroids.   

Melissa Franzen graduated with a Ph.D. in space and planetary science in May 2006.  Her advisor was Dr. Derek Sears, director of the Space Center and a faculty member in the Chemistry/Biochemistry department.  Her dissertation was titled, “Investigation of Surface Processes on Asteroids Through Laboratory & Mission Analyses.”

The Red River Astronomy Club hosted a four day Ark-La-Tex Star Party just outside of Texarkana, Arkansas, from September 21-24.  Dr. Derek Sears, director of the Space Center and a faculty member in the Chemistry and Biochemistry department was a guest speaker.  His talk was titled, "The Hera Project: Searching for Our Beginnings to Find our Future."