Astrophysics Missions, Grants, and Forum Nuggets for May 2014 Astrophysics Missions, Grants, and Forum Nuggets for May 2014

From Earth to the Universe Outreach event at the Athlone School for the Blind: 06th May 2014 Local amateur astronomers Edward & Lynnette Foster joined Dr Wanda Diaz-Merced from the IAU’s outreach office in Observatory, and Cedric Jacobs and Buzani Khumalo from the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), on a visit to the Athlone School for the Blind in Bellville South. 50 visually-impaired learners from grades four to six and their teachers participated. Dr Diaz-Merced, who is also visually impaired, talked about a variety of astronomical topics and made reference to her own work in astronomy. The learners also worked with a model of the Sun, radio telescope electronics, a Moon globe, and two sets of braille posters — one from Chandra’s “From Earth to the Universe” program; the other from Chandra’s “From the Earth to the Solar System” Braille series, as obtained through the “A Touch of the Universe” international program.

Google+ Hangouts for Pennsylvania Educators Partnerships are pivotal in increasing the reach of STScI’s education and public outreach program. One key partnership is with the Pennsylvania Multi- Region Math Science STEM Partnership Project (MSP). During the month of April, STScI scientists and educators worked in tandem to provide professional development presentations to MSP educators via Google+. The Hangouts were provided in a two part series: Part 1: “It’s Not Your Parents’ Solar System and Part 2: “Extrasolar Planetary Systems.” The Hangouts were provided as part of a three-year partnership between STScI’s education team, the Goddard Space Flight Center, and seven Pennsylvania universities who are a part of the MSP project. The Hangouts are designed to provide educators with web-based, content updates to supplement in-person professional development experiences. MSP is a statewide initiative that brings together K-12 educators, universities, and national science and technology centers to boost science, technology, and engineering in Pennsylvania schools. The goal of the program is to increase the academic achievement of 30,000 students in mathematics and science by enhancing the content knowledge and teaching skills of classroom teachers.

Arts and Digital Media Career Day Event On April 25, STScI’s Dr. Frank Summers was the keynote speaker for the inaugural Arts and Digital Media Career Day organized by Baltimore County Public Schools and the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC). Approximately 120 students from Baltimore County high schools spent the day at the CCBC Essex campus in sessions discussing the real world view of film, audio, computer gaming, and other digital media. Dr. Summers' presentation, entitled "Hubble Goes Hollywood: Cinematic Scientific Visualizations,” explained how staff in STScI’s Office of Public Outreach combine Hubble science with computer graphics to create visualizations that are both scientifically accurate and aesthetically pleasing.

USA Science and Engineering Festival ‘Hyperwall’ Presentation On April 27, STScI astronomers Dr. Frank Summers and Dr. Brandon Lawton gave Hyperwall presentations on the main stage of the NASA booth at the USA Science and Engineering Festival in Washington, D.C. Dr. Summers' presentation, entitled "Hubble Goes Hollywood: Cinematic Scientific Visualizations,” explained how STScI staff combine Hubble science with computer graphics to create visualizations that are both accurate and aesthetic. Dr. Lawton's presentation, entitled "The Frontier Fields: A Sneak Peek at the First Billion Years of the Universe,” described the ambitious new Frontier Fields project, its scientific underpinnings, and its exciting first results.

Kepler-186f On April 17, the Kepler team announced Kepler-186f, the first Earth-size planet in the habitable zone—where liquid water could exist on a planet’s surface. Previously, only planets about 40% larger than Earth had been discovered in the habitable zone. Kepler- 186f is part of a 5-planet system around a “cool” red dwarf star, about 500 light-years away. The discovery brings us one step closer to finding a true Earth analog—an Earth-size planet in the habitable zone of a Sun-like star. A news article was posted to the Kepler EPO website:

Kepler Art, Presentations, and Planets! Sample submissions from the Ages 13–15 category. Kepler Art of Discovery Contest The online Kepler Art of Discovery contest has been extended! The new deadlines are June 2 for registration and June 9 for submission. This allows for a full 3-month run of the contest, ending just before the end of the the school year. We have already received some impressive artwork, with well over 100 registrants. Full details, entries, and results will be posted at

Kepler Presents at AAPT-NCNN Alan Gould gave a short presentation at the American Association of Physics Teachers Northern California and Northern Nevada (AAPT-NCNN) section meeting at the San Francisco Exploratorium on Saturday April 12. He demonstrated the Kepler Orrery/Light Sensor model, and brought 7 models to give away as door prizes: 3 LEGO kits, 2 FOSS orreries, 1 planetarium orrery prototype, and 1 earlier prototype orrery.

NASA Science4Girls and Their Families NASAScience4Girls and Their Families partners NASA SMD science education programs with public libraries to provide NASA-themed hands-on education activities for girls and their families, along with training for librarians, in conjunction with Women’s History Month. The initiative expanded its reach this year by engaging Solar System Ambassadors nationwide, in addition to NASA SMD E/PO teams and educator ambassadors. Over 25 libraries in 21 states and Puerto Rico are hosting events. Events in 2014 include hands- on activities, book clubs, star parties, and librarian professional development. External evaluation shows librarians indicate that the project would have lasting effects, which include: engaging and empowering target audience, spurring participants to action, and enhancing library confidence. NASA Science4Girls: Facilitates collaboration across NASA science divisions Builds local partnerships with libraries Leverages regional/national partnerships and National Women’s History Month Creates awareness about and access to NASA resources for engaging girls in STEM Explores new ways to make connections with underserved communities Is coordinated by the SMD Science Education and Public Outreach Forums Women’s History Month 2014 Theme: Celebrating Women of Character, Courage, and Commitment