INSPIRE: Interdisciplinary National Science Project Incorporating Research and Education Experience

The Interdisciplinary National Science Project Incorporating Research and Education Experience, or INSPIRE, is a multi-tiered project for students and their parents or legal guardians. Participating students must be in grades 9-12 or in their freshman year of college.

INSPIRE provides grade-appropriate NASA-related resources and experiences to encourage and reinforce students' aspirations to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, education and careers. The project also offers resources and information for parents to help them better champion their student's goals. INSPIRE provides participants a rich online community, as well as opportunities to compete to participate in NASA/STEM Experiences.

INSPIRE participants will be matched to one of the 10 NASA facilities, based on the participant's place of residence and the NASA facility’s Area of Service.

Applications are due March 15, 2008. For more information about this opportunity, visit http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/postsecondary/programs/INSPIRE_Project.html.

If you have questions about this opportunity, please e-mail your inquiries to INSPIRE Project Manager Steve Chance at steven.h.chance@nasa.gov .


Aeronautics Competition for High School Students

The Fundamental Aeronautics Program of the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters announces a new aeronautics competition for high school students for the 2007-2008 academic year.

High school students are challenged to write a research paper to explain ideas for a future aircraft that could become the “DC-3” for cargo and passengers in the year 2058. Descriptions should be well-informed and include sections on fuel, environmental effects, noise levels, runway length and condition, operating costs, passenger and cargo loads, and service operations. Final entries are due on March 15, 2008.

Any U.S. student enrolled in an accredited high school or home school in the United States or its territories is eligible to enter the competition for cash prizes. Non-U.S. citizens and students in international locations can enter as well, but they are not eligible for cash prizes. Trophies and certificates will be awarded to each winner, regardless of citizenship.

For complete details, visit http://aero.larc.nasa.gov/competitions_high.htm.

 

NASA Space Settlement Design Contest

Design a space colony! Space colonies are permanent communities in orbit, as opposed to being on the moon or other planets. Designing a space colony involves physics, mathematics, space science, environmental science and many other disciplines. This contest is for 11-18-year-old students from anywhere in the world. Individuals or teams may enter. Grades 6-9 and 10-12 are judged separately, except for the grand prize. All participants will receive a certificate. Prizes will be awarded to winning entries.

Submissions must be received by March 31, 2008.

For additional information about the contest, visit http://www.nas.nasa.gov/About/Education/SpaceSettlement/Contest/. If you have questions about this competition, please contact Wenonah Vercoutere at Wenonah.A.Vercoutere@nasa.gov.