Kathleen Fredette is the Director of STEAM Initiatives at iLEAD Schools

The View from the Cupola

By Kathleen Fredette, iLEAD Schools

If you’re reading this, you’re the kind of person who enjoys the wonder of things that sparkle in the night. If you’ve tried teaching, you also know that seeing the shining eyes of wonder is infinitely more meaningful than an educator shining before mesmerized kids. Conductor and author Ben Zander once said, “Look at their eyes. If they are shining, you know you are doing it.” In the age of one-to-one learning, smartphones, and social media, teaching has become a bit more like conducting—amidst the distractions, we strive to draw students to that place of wonder that is harmonious with real learning. Last summer a partnership with DreamUp began an amazing journey for me, a few courageous teachers, and hundreds of students. Not many teachers have the…

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Space Worms

Unexpected Pioneers of Discovery & Commercial Services

By Emily Tomlin, Staff Writer

Three years ago, a two-headed worm returned from the International Space Station (ISS), and in the summer of 2017, the worm achieved internet and popular media fame when researchers from Tufts University published a paper describing the worm and other results from their ISS U.S. National Laboratory experiment. The story behind this mutant worm, however, is even more rich than its delightfully deformed morphology. The payload that carried the…

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Building Bones

Testing a New Osteoporosis Therapy With Mice in Microgravity

By Amelia Williamson Smith, Staff Writer

Every three seconds, a person somewhere in the world breaks a bone due to osteoporosis—a progressive disease that decreases bone density, making bones weak and fragile. Osteoporotic fractures greatly reduce quality of life, and immobilization following a fracture can lead to further bone loss which puts these patients at risk for breaking another bone. When SpaceX CRS-11 launched to the space station last June, it carried 40 mice to the ISS National Lab for…

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Dream Up Launches Learning into Orbit

By Julia Sable, Staff Writer

The mood is festive as students shuffle onto the bleachers next to the Saturn V building at the NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. They have had a busy day exploring exhibits and explaining their science projects to visitors during a stage presentation and a poster session. The jitters from public speaking have passed, but the students still feel a bit nervous as they take their seats at the launch viewing area. The…

Spotlight

Student Contest Winners Grow Crystals in Space

Spotlight

Materials Science Space Station Investigations: Where Are They Now?

News & Notes

From the ISS National Lab

Destination Station: Salt Lake City

In May, Destination Station, a NASA-led outreach effort to educate the public about the ISS, traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah. CASIS and the NASA Program Science Office, along with NASA Astronaut Randy Bresnik, met with representatives from the state of Utah and local companies to discuss and promote ISS capabilities. CASIS and NASA representatives also participated in the Governor’s Energy Summit, a conference focused on new paths for responsible global growth.

Expanding Horizons Salon

CASIS held an event in Silicon Valley in May as part of the Expanding Horizons salon series. Attendees learned about commercial innovation opportunities available on the ISS and how space-related ventures are advancing research and development in health, engineering, consumer products, and other markets. Featured guest Dan Lopez, founder and CEO of Orbitmuse and chief technologist of space data analytics institution Radiant.Earth, joined CASIS staff to discuss the global innovation platform for space entrepreneurship.

Mission Patch

Earlier this month, CASIS unveiled its latest mission patch collaboration, with a patch designed by iconic filmmaker Sir Ridley Scott. The patch represents all ISS National Lab payloads for 2018 and features the night sky with a female astronaut looking toward the ISS.

Destination Imagination

Destination Imagination, a global leader in teaching the creative process from imagination to innovation, held global finals in May in Knoxville, Tennessee, with the goal of inspiring and equipping the next generation of innovators and leaders. CASIS participated in the event, which was attended by more than 17,000 students, parents, and volunteers and highlighted achievements across seven different challenges in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

Launching to the ISS

The Orbital ATK CRS-9 mission successfully launched to the ISS in May, carrying payloads focused on technology development as well as the physical, materials, and life sciences. The mission also included several small satellites and validation of new facilities that will contribute to greater research capabilities in the future. SpaceX CRS-15 is anticipated to launch in late June.

Forging Unique Media Collaborations to Further Station Research

In May, science content publisher Seeker announced the launch of its new digital platform, “Seeker Universe,” dedicated to covering all things space. Seeker and CASIS have forged a collaboration to provide Seeker’s vast audience with meaningful content about the ISS, and Seeker has already posted multiple videos and articles on ISS National Lab facilities and CubeSats that have reached millions of viewers through Seeker’s social media platforms. Seeker is also featuring ISS National Lab articles on their website to connect its readers with research taking place on the orbiting laboratory.

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