Higher Education Course Development Programs

The NC Space Grant Higher Education Course Development Programs are designed to enhance the organization's capability to expand access to higher education programs that are based upon NASA’s priorities. The primary focus of this program is the development of interdisciplinary and distance learning courses.

An Interdisciplinary Colloquium Course Inspired by the International Year of Astronomy PI: Dr. Judith Beck, UNC - Asheville

All students entering the University of North Carolina Asheville are required to participate in a Liberal Studies Introductory Colloquium course which is writing intensive and open to students of any major. This grant will provide support for the development and implementation of a colloquium course that will provide students with an interdisciplinary approach to astronomy with an emphasis on telescopes. In addition to reading, writing and class discussion, students will engage in observing projects and laboratory experiences, build small telescopes, and design and conduct service learning projects related to astronomy education and outreach in the community.

Mission Control in the Classroom: A Hands-On Undergraduate Course for Exploration of the Stratosphere with High-Altitude Balloons PI: Dr. John Chadwick, UNC - Charlotte

Dr. John Chadwick has developed an undergraduate course in which students assemble small “near-space” capsules that contain a suite of simple science experiments. The capsules are launched on a high-altitude weather balloon that carries them to 100,000 feet into the stratosphere above 95% of the mass of the Earth’s atmosphere to the edge of space. Using off-the-shelf GPS and radio telemetry equipment, the capsules are tracked and recovered on a parachute for post-flight data analysis. The capsule instruments include cameras with interval timers and weather instruments. Course materials and instructions will be shared with faculty from other North Carolina universities.

Geographical Data Management and Visualization PI: Dr. Charles Lillie, UNC - Pembroke

Geographical Data Management and Visualization is a new advanced course in spatial data management covering concepts of information visualization. The course will introduce the fundamentals of spatial data management as well as concepts of information visualization and discuss the effective use of data visualization in geography as well as example applications to computer science, information technology, and engineering major students. The course will investigate the principle of spatial data organization, the theory of Computer Graphics, the techniques in image processing, and practical design issues in information visualization. Data from NASA and the NOAA will be used.

Development of Three-Axis Nanosatellite Test-Bed for Space Systems Senior Design Program PI: Dr. Andre Mazzoleni, NC State University

Community of Collaboration: An Interdisciplinary Seminar/Demonstration Series with a Concentration on Energy and the Environment PI: Dr. Libby Puckett, Appalachian State University

It is the mission of the College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University to promote innovative instruction and creative and collaborative scholarship. With this in mind, a group of dedicated faculty members from the Departments of Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Geology, and Geography have been actively exploring ways to improve our curricular offerings and expand our research programs by increasing interactions between the disciplines. Thus, we propose to establish an interdisciplinary seminar series that focuses on enhancing undergraduate education in the STEM disciplines. The ultimate outcome of this program is to prepare our students for competitive jobs in an interdisciplinary marketplace.

Going the Distance: UNC-Chapel Hill’s New Introductory Astronomy Curriculum PI: Dr. Dan Reichart, UNC - Chapel Hill

The Complete Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) Inspired by NASA's Microgravity University PI: Dr. Tim Ritter, UNC - Pembroke

This program aims to break the mold of the traditional undergraduate research experience. Our program is one in which a team of undergraduate students, from several different science and non-science majors, take their own research from the idea stage to final report writing in one year. This unique research experience is conducted as part of NASA’s Reduced Gravity Student Flight Opportunities Program. Because of its unique features, we believe our program provides the student with a broader, more comprehensive, and more stimulating research experience than a traditional undergraduate research program. In addition to the diverse experience received during this program the students will also receive academic credit for their work through an interdisciplinary biotechnology special topics course sequence.