NASA is offering undergraduate students from minority serving institutions the opportunity to test an experiment in microgravity as part of the agency's Reduced Gravity Education Flight Program, in association with the Minority University Research and Education Program.
The deadline for proposals is Dec. 4, 2013. The actual flight will take place in June 2014. All applicants must be U.S. citizens, full-time students and at least 18 years old.
The initiative provides future scientists and engineers an opportunity to design and build an experiment and fly with their experiment aboard a microgravity aircraft. A modified Boeing 727-200 performs a series of steep climbs and dips -- like a roller coaster. The effects simulate micro- and hyper-gravity and provide an environment for scientific research, hands-on experimental design, test operations and public outreach activities.
Selected teams will be allowed to invite an accredited journalist to fly with them to document the experiment and gravity-defying educational experience.
The Reduced Gravity Education Flight Program is managed by the education office at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. The program helps support the agency's education policy of using NASA's unique missions and programs to encourage students to pursue science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers.
Source: NASA