East Central University students, Ashley Robertson of Purcell and Joseph Jacobi of Sterling, accompanied by Dr. Mark Micozzi, ECU associate professor of cartography and geography, participated in a special visit to the NASA Ames Research Center in San Jose, Calif. on March 16 - 19.
Because of Oklahoma's successful NASA Space Grant program, which includes the NASA National Space Grant and College Fellowship Program and the Workforce Development Program at ECU, students and faculty are able to participate in site visits to NASA Centers to learn more about agency-wide and center-specific opportunities (internships, summer research camps, semester fellowships, employment, etc.) for students and faculty.
As part of the NASA Space Grant program ECU students Ashley Robertson and Joseph Jacobi enjoy a rare opportunity to visit the grounds of the Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel (front of the complex in the background), one of the largest in the world. Notice the gentlemen in the lower left for scale.
The ECU contingent was joined by 26 other faculty, staff and students from campuses across the state that are part of the Oklahoma Space Grant Consortium (OSGC).
OSGC represents a statewide partnership of universities, a cooperative extension service, state government, city government, industry and a major science museum working to enhance opportunities for Oklahomans to understand and participate in NASA's mission directorates by supporting programs in science, mathematics, engineering, technology, education, geography and other aeronautics and space related disciplines throughout the state.
NASA Ames focuses on space science (research in infrared astrophysics, laboratory astrophysics, extrasolar planets, planetary sciences, exobiology and astrobiology), Earth Science (applied research in atmospheric and biospheric sciences and airborne science campaigns) and Biological Science (research in radiation and lunar dust and engineering capabilities in support of NASA's manned spaceflight).
The entire Oklahoma contingent was treated to a behind the scenes look into the astrochemistry and astrobiology labs with special trips to the exploration center, Hangar 1 in the Shenandoah Plaza Historic District, and the Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel, one of the largest in the world.
"These behind the scenes opportunities are rare and is just one of many advantages of having NASA's presence on campus," said Micozzi.
To learn more about the ECU Space Grant Program, contact Dr. Micozzi, 580-559-5398 or at mmicozzi@ecok.edu. In addition, to learn more about NASA's National Space Grant and College Fellowship Program, visit https://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/programs/descriptions/National_Space_Grant_College_and_Fellowship_Program.html and to learn more about the Oklahoma Space Grant Program, visit http://www.okspacegrant.ou.edu/.
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