This page provides a video archive of presentations at the annual SSEP National Conference by student researchers whose experiments were part of the SSEP Mission 5 to ISS Charlie Brown experiments payload. Mission 5 to ISS was the seventh SSEP flight opportunity.
Charlie Brown launched on Orb-2, 12:52 pm ET, July 13, 2014, from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, Wallops Island, Virginia. Charlie Brown returned to Earth on SpaceX-4, splashing down in the Pacific off the California coast on October 25, 2014. For details on the flight profile for Charlie Brown, see the SSEP Mission 5 to the International Space Station (ISS) page.
Some student flight teams present at more than one annual conference, reporting out status at various stages of the life cycle of a flight experiment. It is also true that not all student flight teams attend a conference. For details on all Charlie Brown flight experiments, see the Selected Experiments on SSEP Mission 5 to ISS page.
Teachers in Space, Space Frontier Foundation
Title: Affected Efficacy of a Sprayed Enamel Coating as a Corrosion Inhibitor
Oral Presentation, 4th Annual SSEP National Conference, July 2014
Milton L. Olive Middle School, Wyandanch Union Free School District
Grade level: 7 and 8
Type of Experiment: Flight Experiment, Mission 5 to ISS
Co-Principal Investigators: Alayna Appolon and Zaire McQueen
Teacher Facilitator: David B. Milch
Abstract: During interplanetary travel, protecting resources is vital. This experiment compares a protective enamel spray paint’s coating thickness before and after exposure to an acidic solution through experiments conducted simultaneously on Earth and on the International Space Station. Experiment design gives identical acid exposure times in both environments. We hypothesize that the enamel coating on the ISS will be damaged more due to subatomic particles that are more abundant in space and the chemical reaction being less restricted by gravity.
Hillsborough County, Florida
Title: Will Microgravity Affect the Germination/growth of Lettuce Seeds?
Oral Presentation, 5th Annual SSEP National Conference, July 2015
FishHawk Creek Elementary, Hillsborough County Public Schools
Grade level: 6
Type of Experiment: Flight Experiment, Mission 5
Co-Principal Investigators: Miranda Corbo, Srinidhi Raghavan, Isabelle Utsler
Teacher Facilitator: Mary Vaughn
Abstract: The purpose of the experiment is to observe the effect of microgravity on the growth/germination of lettuce seeds. Our experiment will measure for the rate of the germination of lettuce seeds. Seed germination is so critical and not very well understood in microgravity. Lettuce and other vegetables will expand the in-orbit food capabilities and will allow for astronauts to have fresh food.
Title: Will microgravity affect the germination/growth of lettuce seeds?
Oral Presentation, 4th Annual SSEP National Conference, July 2014
FishHawk Creek Elementary, Hillsborough County Public Schools
Grade level: 5
Type of Experiment: Flight Experiment, Mission 5 to ISS
Co-Principal Investigators: Miranda Corbo, Srinidhi Raghavan, and Isabelle Utsler
Teacher Facilitator: Mary Vaughn
Abstract: The purpose of the experiment is to observe the effect of microgravity on the growth/germination of lettuce seeds. Our experiment will measure for the rate of the germination of lettuce seeds. Seed germination is so critical and not very well understood in microgravity. Lettuce and other vegetables will expand the in-orbit food capabilities and will allow for astronauts to have fresh food.
Jefferson County, Kentucky
Title: The effects of microgravity on the fermentation of honey using yeast
Oral Presentation, 4th Annual SSEP National Conference, July 2014
Jefferson County Public Schools
Grade level: 9-12
Type of Experiment: Flight Experiment, Mission 5 to ISS
Co-Principal Investigators: Jacob Boeschel, Peyton Adelmann, and Elizabeth Bates
Co-Investigators: Deandre Curry, Alex Martin, Anthony Watson, Lance Winemiller, and Jay-Cee Vance
Collaborators: Brittany Jarboe and Miranda Strane-Harris
Teacher Facilitator: Imogen Herrick
Abstract: The purpose of this experiment is to test the effects of microgravity on rate of the fermentation using yeast and honey. This experiment will help us determine if a microgravity environment will affect the fermentation rate of a highly viscous sugar source in yeast. The possibility of an increased rate of reaction in microgravity could be beneficial on the ISS. Fermentation reactions have a myriad of uses for the astronauts on the ISS, especially antiseptics for wounds and cleaning supplies.
Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Title: The Production of Antibiotics from Bacillus subtilis in Microgravity
Oral Presentation, 5th Annual SSEP National Conference, July 2015
Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School
Grade level: 12
Type of Experiment: Flight Experiment, Mission 5
Co-Principal Investigators: Liza Anderson, Samantha Bratkon
Co-Investigators: Ashley Monroe, Stephanie Tivnan
Teacher Facilitator: Paul deDiego
Abstract: This experiment was designed to monitor antibiotics production of Bacillus subtilis in microgravity compared to the Earth ground truth. Freeze-dried bacteria was activated with growth media on D-5. D-2 clamp a was re-engaged and clamp B was opened containing the growth inhibitor. Analysis included optical density testing, pellet mass measurements, Novel Assay for subtilin, beta-galactosidase assay. Our conclusion showed, an increase in growth rate and a decrease in the production of subtilin in microgravity compared to the ground truth.
North Attleborough, Massachusetts
Title: Will the regeneration of a planarian worm be affected by microgravity?
Oral Presentation, 4th Annual SSEP National Conference, July 2014
North Attleborough Middle School, North Attleborough Public Schools
Grade level: 6
Type of Experiment: Flight Experiment, Mission 5 to ISS
Principal Investigator: Christopher April
Co-Investigators: Lily Wetherbee and David Pacitto
Teacher Facilitator: Jennifer Murphy
Abstract: The purpose of the experiment is to observe the effect of microgravity on planarian worm regeneration to determine if a microgravity environment will have an effect on regeneration. Planarian regeneration on Earth naturally occurs in the wild, and under normal gravitational conditions. The long term value of this experiment could affect what we will learn about the rate of healing a human injury in microgravity. The species of Planarian that were chosen for this experiment were Dugesia.
Brookhaven, Mississippi
Title: Polyhydroxyalkanoate Production in Microgravity
Oral Presentation, 4th Annual SSEP National Conference, July 2014
Brookhaven Academy
Grade level: 12
Type of Experiment: Flight Experiment, Mission 5 to ISS
Co-Principal Investigators: Ashlea Bardwell, Samantha Barton, Garrett Smith, Ruth Vaughan, and Lindsey Winborne
Teacher Facilitator: Leslie Hood
Abstract: This experiment will assess whether the bacteria Ralstonia eutropha can produce Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) when exposed to microgravity. PHA is a biodegradable polyester, which is a short chain composed of methyl or ethyl. The bacteria that will produce PHA in this experiment will be Ralstonia eutropha. The bacteria produces PHA through bacterial fermentation, which is a process that breaks down the carbon source and nutrient broth leaving behind pellets of PHA, or plastic.
Kansas City, Missouri
Title: Oxidation in Space
Oral Presentation, 4th Annual SSEP National Conference, July 2014
St. Peter’s School (Kansas City – St. Joseph Diocese)
Grade level: 8
Type of Experiment: Flight Experiment, Mission 5 to ISS
Co-Principal Investigators: Tone’Nae Bradley-Toomer, Zoe Butler, Anna Campbell, and Maureen Egan
Teacher Facilitator: Robert Jacobsen
Abstract: The team would like to determine the effect of microgravity upon the process of oxidation. This experiment is being conducted because in the ISS, there is the presence of free-floating water that could damage (via oxidation or corrosion) its metal components. The oxidation of an iron nail will be studied as water is added to its section of the tube. The team is looking to determine if oxidation occurs faster, slower, or at all because of microgravity.
New York City NEST+m, New York
Title: What is the Effect of Microgravity on Mold Growth on White Bread?
Oral Presentation, 5th Annual SSEP National Conference, July 2015
New Explorations in Science, Technology, and Math (NEST+m), NYC Department of Education
Grade level: 6
Type of Experiment: Flight Experiment, Mission 5
Co-Principal Investigators: Noor Ajam, Foyez Alauddin, Alexander Harris
Collaborators: Emma Alatzas, Ella Briman, Sarah Caba, Lucy Cantor, Elisa Carrillo, Samantha Chan, Sydney Cardieri, Hana Cruz, Benjamin Ebanks, Elana Field, Jack Geyer, Zander Grier, Meredith Griffin, Oscar Johnson, Liam Kronman, Jonathan Leybungrub, Jonathan Lim, Noah Mack, Macy McGrail, Haylie Parrilla, Tristan Pragnell, Elijah Shapiro, Ryo Shimosato, Jeron Wilkinson, and Nora Youngelson
Teacher Facilitator: Margaux Stevenson
Abstract: Presenting results from a flight experiment. The purpose of this experiment was to see the effect of microgravity on mold growth on white bread. For this experiment, a sample of white bread and formalin was loaded into a FME Type 2 tube. The results of the ground element and microgravity element was measured by the area of the mold on the white bread.
Title: What is the effect of microgravity on mold growth on white bread?
Oral Presentation, 4th Annual SSEP National Conference, July 2014
New Explorations in Science, Technology, and Math (NEST+m), NYC Department of Education
Grade level: 5
Type of Experiment: Flight Experiment, Mission 5 to ISS
Co-Principal Investigators: Noor Ajam, Foyez Alauddin, and Alexander Harris
Collaborators: Emma Alatzas, Ella Briman, Sarah Caba, Lucy Cantor, Elisa Carrillo, Samantha Chan, Sydney Cardieri, Hana Cruz, Benjamin Ebanks, Elana Field, Jack Geyer, Zander Grier, Meredith Griffin, Oscar Johnson, Liam Kronman, Jonathan Leybungrub, Jonathan Lim, Noah Mack, Macy McGrail, Haylie Parrilla, Tristan Pragnell, Elijah Shapiro, Ryo Shimosato, Jeron Wilkinson, and Nora Youngelson
Teacher Facilitator: Margaux Stevenson
Abstract: The purpose of this experiment is to see the effect of microgravity on mold growth on white bread. For this experiment, a sample of white bread and formalin has been loaded into a FME Type 2 tube. The results of the ground element and microgravity element will be measured by the area of the mold on the white bread in square inches. The color of the mold and the color of the white bread will also be observed.
Rockland County, New York
Title: Lettuce in Space
Oral Presentation, 4th Annual SSEP National Conference, July 2014
South Orangetown Central School District
Grade level: 4 and 5
Type of Experiment: Flight Experiment, Mission 5 to ISS
Co-Principal Investigators: Zachary Visconti, Colm Shalvey, and Luke Rabinowitz
Teacher Facilitator: Kristy Nadler
Abstract: The purpose of the experiment is to see if lettuce will germinate in microgravity. After the experiment we will observe if microgravity will have a positive, negative, or neutral effect on growth. We will compare the sample from the ISS to our ground truth by observing germination from both tubes. If the lettuce germinates in microgravity astronauts can eat lettuce on long space flights. This will provide the astronauts the opportunity to eat fresh vegetables while on extended space voyage.
Guilford County, North Carolina
Title: Artificial Ear
Oral Presentation, 5th Annual SSEP National Conference, July 2015
Mendenhall Middle School
Grade levels: 7-8
Type of Experiment: Flight Experiment, Mission 5
Co-Principal Investigators: Kaya Simpson, Joshua Cook, Ellie Weeks
Co-Investigators: Sean O’Connell, Ben Martin, Praise Idika, Favor Idida
Teacher Facilitator: Lenny Sue French
Abstract: Previous research indicates that Jellyfish born in space lost ability to detect gravity. Our hypothesis was that the crystals jellyfish use to detect gravity had grown too large to move in the correct way since crystals tend to grow larger in space.