New Partnership Enables Chicagoland Boy Scouts and Explorers to Send Research Projects to International Space Station
March 26, 2015
(Chicago, IL) March 26, 2015– Chicagoland Boy Scouts and Explorers will soon design and build research projects for a chance to have their experiment flown to the International Space Station.
This incredible opportunity is the result of a newly formed partnership between the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS(Abbreviation: CASIS™) The nonprofit organization that manages the ISS National Lab, which receives at least 50 percent of the U.S. research allocation on the International Space Station to facilitate research that benefits humanity (NASA manages the other 50% and focuses on research for space exploration purposes).), which manages the U.S. National Laboratory on the International Space Station (ISSInternational Space Station); and local Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and Exploring programs.
the ISS National Lab and the BSA Pathways to Adventure Council will launch the Space Station National Design Challenge student research competition in Chicago this spring in an effort to spark interest and innovation in young men and women in the fields of science, technology engineering and mathematics (STEM).
While the partnership is new, the BSA has a historic connection to the space program. In fact, 11 of the 12 astronauts who walked on the moon were Scouts. Additionally, former astronaut and the ISS National Lab President and Executive Director Gregory H. Johnson is a proud Eagle Scout.
“The Boy Scouts of America has created leaders for more than 100 years and our youth must now take the lead in STEM,” said Nancy Elder, Director for Strategic and Corporate Alliances for Pathway to Adventure Council. “Scouting has long embraced STEM by providing young people with real-world hands-on learning experiences ranging from cleaning habitats in national parks to programming robots. The partnership with the ISS National Lab will engage our youth and volunteers in a unique and cutting-edge experience by adding their research projects to the final frontier: space.”
The U.S. National Lab’s microgravityThe condition of perceived weightlessness created when an object is in free fall, for example when an object is in orbital motion. Microgravity alters many observable phenomena within the physical and life sciences, allowing scientists to study things in ways not possible on Earth. The International Space Station provides access to a persistent microgravity environment. environment offers researchers the exclusive opportunity to conduct experiments in a setting free from the effects of gravity present on Earth. Since systems act differently in this microgravity environment, researchers are able to gather valuable insight that can help advance their work on Earth.
Space Station National Design Challenge participants will work in teams of 10-20 young men and women to conceptualize and execute their experiments, which must fit into miniature labs about half the size of a shoebox. Along with aspiring engineers and scientists, teams will include members with interests in graphic arts, drafting, moviemaking, programming and many other fields. the ISS National Lab and its industry partners will facilitate technical workshops and provide support to each team.
the ISS National Lab will then select three winning experiments to be flown to the International Space Station in the summer of 2016.
“Inspiring the next generation of explorers is at the heart of the ISS National Lab mission,” said the ISS National Lab Director of Operations and Education Ken Shields. “This partnership exemplifies a concerted effort by both organizations to engage and energize students about STEM through an authentic learning experience that leverages the International Space Station.”
To learn more about the contest, including upcoming information sessions and how to submit a proposal, please visit: https://issnationallab.org/Opportunities/Solicitations/RFANationalDesignChallenge2015.aspx
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CASIS: The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) was selected by NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration in July 2011 to maximize use of the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory through 2020. the ISS National Lab is dedicated to supporting and accelerating innovations and new discoveries that will enhance the health and wellbeing of people and our planet. For more information, visit issnationallab.org.
Pathway to Adventure Council serves youth throughout Northeast Illinois and Northwest Indiana. Its mission is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. For more information, visit PathwayToAdventure.org.
Exploring provides positive and meaningful real-world career experiences and leadership development opportunities for all teenagers and young adults in their chosen field of interest.
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