NC Space Grant | Public Engagement Programs

  Upgraded Remote Sensing Interactives at Morehead Planetarium and Science
  Center's'Zoom In' Exhibit
  PI: Kevin Ivarsen - University of North Carolina Morehead Planetarium

In February of 2007, a new exhibit entitled "Zoom In: Science at the Extremes" opened at UNC's Morehead Planetarium. This exhibit invites visitors to explore the concept of scale in the universe by following the UNC team that used the PROMPT telescopes to discover the most distant explosion in the universe. We feature PROMPT in two kiosks: one that allows a user to interactively control a telescope from just a few feet away, and one that gives visitors the opportunity to request personalized images from the PROMPT telescopes in Chile. With the support of NC Space Grant, we plan to improve these two exhibits. First, we will install a steerable webcam at the PROMPT site, allowing planetarium visitors to interactively pan around, zoom in, and otherwise explore the telescopes and the Chilean landscape. Second, we will add a webcam to the local Zoom In telescope, allowing visitors to use the telescope to target objects around the room. Finally, we will expand the number of objects that visitors can request from PROMPT to include planets and the Moon.

Fun with Zero-g: A Space Science Education Awareness Program for
NC's Native American Youth
PI: Dr. Timothy Ritter - University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Over the past six years undergraduate students from UNC Pembroke have participated in NASA’s Reduced Gravity Student Flight Opportunities Program. As part of this project the students perform experiments onboard NASA’s microgravity research aircraft. In addition to performing research the students also conduct a vigorous public outreach program. The team, known as The Weightless Lumbees, has always had at least 50% American Indian representation from the local Lumbee Tribe. This award will provide the financial resources for the team to reach out to the youth of North Carolina with the hope of inspiring them to be the next generation of space scientists and engineers.

Durham Mathematics Mentoring Program
PI: Dr. Laura Smith - North Carolina Central University

The purpose of the Durham Mathematics Mentoring Program (DMMP) is to make eighth-grade girls in Durham County Public Schools aware of interesting STEM careers and to encourage them to take higher-level mathematics and science courses in high school, helping them to begin preparation for STEM careers. Each year, the DMMP serves an average of 60 eighth-grade girls. Mentors are female professionals in STEM fields. Each mentor is paired with two or three eighth-grade girls. The girls learn about their mentor's career, go on mathematics- or science-related field trips, and are encouraged to enroll in mathematics- or science-related summer enrichment programs.

  Research Week 2009
  PI: Dr. Cynthia Warrick - Elizabeth City State University

Research Week at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) is an annual program that provides faculty and students opportunities to present their research to the University and Community through week-long seminars, poster sessions, guest speakers, and a research fair. Research Week creates an environment in which scientists and researchers from state and federal agencies, research institutions, and industry discuss areas for research collaboration with ECSU faculty and information about internships and graduate programs in science, engineering and technology. Research Week is also an outreach program to the local community and K-12 Schools.   Hundreds of local students visit our poster sessions to view and speak with students and faculty about their research, educational excellence and the expectations of students when they attend ECSU.

Informal Education and Public Outreach Program Request for Proposals

This program is designed to provide funding to develop and implement activities that will increase the appreciation and knowledge of aero/space-related issues of the general population of North Carolina.

Proposals Due: Feb-March 2009