Bringing Space into the Science Classroom
The McWane Science Center has partnered with NASA and UAB to have a small group of 9th, 10th grade home school students develop and prepare a series of scientific experiments which will ultimately be sent to the International Space Station.
The purpose of this project is to grow very high quality protein crystals in the microgravity conditions of space so that scientists on earth can better study their molecular structures for potential applications for medicine, science, and industry. Using commonly available proteins, students will conduct experiments on earth this spring and summer to determine a series of experimental conditions for growing protein crystals in the microgravity conditions of space. In the late summer and fall, they will apply what they have learned to prepare their experiments using experimental proteins developed at the Los Alamos National Laboratory to be launched by into space by NASA aboard a Space-X Falcon rocket at the end of this year.
We are looking to recruit 8 highly motivated students to participate in this truly “out of this world” project. Interested students will need to commit to a schedule of several lab sessions beginning this spring and continuing through the summer and fall. The launch date is expected to be in November or December, but we all know that launch times are never certain until the rocket leaves the pad, so there could be delays. The final schedule and time commitment for participating students is still to be determined, but it will not be excessive.
Students interested in participating should respond by email on or before Wednesday, March 27th
In your own words, please answer the following questions in your response:
Your Name:
Parent’s Name:
Parent’s Phone number:
Parent’s E-mail address:
Current grade level:
Why is science important?
How does learning about science affect the way you see the world?
How might participating in this project help you in your future academic or professional life?
If you or your parents have any questions, please feel free to contact me and I would be happy to discuss this project with you.
Andrew Mobley
Science Education Partnership Coordinator
McWane Science Center
200 19th Street North
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
205-714-8321 (Office)
205-714-8400 (Fax)
