The summer and autumn have been a busy time for the Space Center proposal writing effort. Fifteen funding initiatives  to foundations and agencies have been put forward; six for central support for the Space Center and nine for the support of individual projects. These are listed in tables one and two respectively. Interdisciplinary teams of faculty and students prepare the proposals, while the process is managed by the Space Center which also organizes internal review by campus experts before submission. Early results are en-couraging, with several of our initial proposals being successful.

Table 1 - Center infrastructure proposals

Workshop on Martian Gullies: Theories and Tests
February 4-5, 2008
Lunar and Planetary Institute
Houston, TX

Abstract Deadline:
11/13/07

Lunar and Planetary Science Conference
March 10-14, 2008
League City, TX

Abstract Deadlines:
01/08/08 - (PDF format) or
01/03/08 - (all other formats - 5:00 pm CST)

Dr. Vincent Chevrier, a Post-Doctoral Researcher at the Space Center in the W.M. Keck Laboratory for Space Simulation, presented a lecture entitled “Formation and Evolution of the Surface of Mars” as one of the fall 2007 Arkansas Public Lectures in Space and Planetary Science. His research deals with rock magnetism, pedogenesis, Martian soil mineralogy, alteration phases, SNC meteorites, sulfide mineralogy, and sulfur geochemistry.

The abstract for Dr. Chevrier’s talk follows:

Three decades of landers and orbiters have now observed, mapped and characterized the surface of Mars. Our vision of the surface of Mars has there-fore profoundly changed over time, from a dry and desert-like present to an Earth-like humid and hospitable potential past. This presentation sum-marizes the most significant results of the exploration of Mars and their implications for the evolution of its surface, and ultimately for the past/ present presence of life.

The lecture took place in the Space Center Theater (Old Museum Building, Room 201). It was well attended by members of the university community and the public. The aud-ience asked many relevant and thought-provoking questions.

Solicited Research Programs (In Order of Proposal Due Dates)
  

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.

Kate Coleman
Space Center Graduate Student