MARS EXPLORATION STUDENT DATA TEAMS MESDT Connecting students to authentic research opportunities

M ARS E XPLORATION S TUDENT D ATA T EAMS Program Objectives –Students –Work with mission scientist mentors –Examine authentic mission data –Help scientists in their analysis –Present findings to one another and the science team. –Experience STEM related careers. MESDT Students researching landing sites

M ARS E XPLORATION S TUDENT D ATA T EAMS Students from Kickapoo HS, Springfield, MO Diversity in Nationwide Teams Students from Orting HS, Orting WA Teams come from all grades--including college students from urban, rural, and suburban regions Across the country Students from Shasta HS, Redding, CA

M ARS E XPLORATION S TUDENT D ATA T EAMS vBulletin forums—Used to communicate Livonia HS participants Distance learning Monthly video conferences connect students and scientists All classes are archived for later review. Forums are used to discuss current topics turn in assignments ask questions share research

M ARS E XPLORATION S TUDENT D ATA T EAMS Students as Detectives CRISM team scientists discussing research with HS team Under mentor guidance, students begin by completing curriculum lessons, then move forward through live interactive tutorials given by science team members. Clay-like minerals, called phyllosilicates, form in the presence of water.

M ARS E XPLORATION S TUDENT D ATA T EAMS Building Knowledge and a Science Community Geologic concepts Martian geomorphology and geography Introductory spectroscopy Overview of the instrument and data sets from CRISM, THEMIS, HiRISE, and PDS Team building and collaboration Scientific thinking and problem solving

M ARS E XPLORATION S TUDENT D ATA T EAMS Teacher’s Role as Facilitator Help students focus project and identify resources Classroom instruction and practice with concepts Rock and mineral identification Landforms Access to technology Time management Orting HS students identify rocks formed in the presence of water

M ARS E XPLORATION S TUDENT D ATA T EAMS Student Presentations Durham Academy Research Teams present and defend their research to the science team and other MESDT teams via web conferencing. Livonia HS Research Livonia High School, NY Kickapoo High School, MO The Livonia, NY team chose this site for a more detailed observation after studying images that showed outcrops of clay-like minerals, which indicate the past presence of water. The Durham Academy, NC team chose this site for a more detailed observation after identifying a rock outcrop that could help test their hypothesis that the irregular depression was formed by volcanism.

M ARS E XPLORATION S TUDENT D ATA T EAMS Professional Conferences Some MESDT team members have attended and presented posters at the Lunar and Planetary Sciences Conference near Houston, TX and the USGS Planetary Mappers Meeting in Arizona and Washington DC. MESDT students taking a break from the conference sessions to enjoy lunch with the Principal Investigator of the CRISM instrument, Dr. Scott Murchie and other members of the CRISM science team. MESDT students discussing issues at the Women in Planetary Science networking breakfast, LPSC. Orting, Washington MESDT students explain their research to NASA and USGS Planetary Geologists at the USGS Planetary Mappers Meeting.

M ARS E XPLORATION S TUDENT D ATA T EAMS Student Publications and Presentation of Research Jowell, A.H. et al. (2010), Thermal Modeling of Mafic and Ultramfic Igneous Rocks, Lunar and Planetary Science Conference XXXXI, abstract #1740. Jackson, R.G. et al. (2010) Autonomous Temperature Data Acquisition Compared to Existing Thermal Models of Different Sediments. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference XXXXI, abstract #1362. Kelley, E.M et al. (2010) Thermal Modeling of Mixed Sediments. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference XXXXI, abstract #1122. Sailer, D.S. et al (2010) Thermal Modeling for Playa and Unconsolidated Sediments. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference XXXXI, abstract #1142. Annex, A., et al. (2009). CRISM Analysis of Graben in Terra Tyrrhena: A Search for Water in Equatorial Mars. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference XXXX, abstract #1453. Annex, A., et al. (2009). Preliminary Analysis of Tintos Vallis and Palos Crater: A Proposal for CRISM Targeting. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference XXXX, abstract #1459. Tsang, S. W. R., et al. (2009). Thermal Emissions Spectroscopy of Olivine. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference XXXX, abstract #1206. Sanders, N. H., et al. (2009). Effects of Fine Sediment Mantle on the Thermal Inertia Signature of Underlying Materials. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference XXXX, abstract #1195. Bodager, E.C., et al. (2009). An Analysis of Potential Fluvial Patterns on Mars’ Surface Utilizing THEMIS. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference XXXX, abstract #1955. Tobias, M., et al. (2008). Thermal Modeling of Fluvial Sediments. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference XXXIX, abstract #1220. MESDT students presenting their work during LPSC poster session, 2009

M ARS E XPLORATION S TUDENT D ATA T EAMS In the News The MESDT program is a cutting edge program in science education that has been well received by the science community and is aligned with the National Science Education Standards. The program, and the students' work has received media attention on multiple occasions through several websites, blogs, and publications.

M ARS E XPLORATION S TUDENT D ATA T EAMS Proven to Attract and Retain Interest in STEM Some examples in which MESDT has influenced graduates* choice of major in college or their continued participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics programs: -Rebekah Vanwey (3 years with MESDT) currently has a BS in Geology from Missouri State University and is defending her masters thesis at Arizona State University with Dr. Ron Greeley as her advisor. “Her research is on dune formations and wind patterns on the Martian surface. She was my original team leader for the first MESDT team where we predicted dust storms for Spirit and Opportunity. This, as you can see, led her directly into her masters (and possibly doctorate) research thesis. She is definitely the greatest benefactor of the MESDT program as it drove her into her field of study.” -Jayme Massey (2 years with MESDT) has her BS in Chemistry Education with Earth/Space Science minor. -Levi Crooke (1 year with MESDT) is currently attending Missouri State University to obtain his BS in Geology. -Tristan Mudd (1 year with MESDT) is currently in his senior year at Missouri University completing his Meteorology degree. -Karee Brown (2 years with MESDT) is currently attending Brigham Young University and double majoring in English and Earth/Space Science Education. -Ravyn Vialpando (current MESDT member for the past 2 years) is going into a Geo-Engineering degree. She is looking at Missouri University of Science and Technology (formerly Missouri-Rolla) -Alex McCormick (1 year with MESDT), Geology major at Missouri State University. *students that participated in MESDT that have either graduated high school or moved to another program or school

M ARS E XPLORATION S TUDENT D ATA T EAMS Teachers’ and Parents’ Comments  “This year, our MESDT group is a group that includes several "at-risk" students. I cannot begin to express how exciting the MESDT program has been for them. Potentially, this experience could very well turn a couple of them around academically.”  “An opportunity to expand upon their interests and experience the "reality" of doing scientific investigations.”  “New found love of science and has provided a "career compass" as many former participants of MESDT are now pursuing careers in geological, meteorological, science and technology careers.”  “Would like to carry on the proud tradition of being involved in such a meaningful, excellent program.”  “My son has been deeply impacted by this program. He is extremely passionate about it.” CRISM team scientists visit a MESDT school MESDT students examining a Martian map MESDT students attending LPSC poster session, 2009

MARS EXPLORATION STUDENT DATA TEAMS MESDT