Overview of Undergraduate Participation in the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program

A University of Maryland finalist team for SSEP Mission 13 to the International Space Station presenting under Space Shuttle Discovery (is this cool enough?) at the 2019 SSEP National Conference. The Conference was held July 1-2, 2019, at the Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Visit the 2019 Conference page. Click on the photo to zoom

The research experiences afforded by the Student Spaceflight Experiment Program extend beyond the pre-college classroom. SSEP was designed as a STEM pipeline program, capable of immerse students in a formal research competition across grades 5 through 16 (pre-college 5-12, and undergraduate 13-16).

There are multiple SSEP communities that focus on undergraduate students across diverse science disciplines – even students majoring in science and STEM education – at 4-year colleges and universities, and 2-year community colleges. Listed below are the community profiles for 10 undergraduate communities that have participated in SSEP to date. Provided for each community is an overview of their strategic needs in STEM education and how SSEP addresses those needs, along with abstracts of their flight experiments, and video clips of student research teams presenting at the annual SSEP National Conference at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. You are invited to read about the 2019 SSEP National Conference that took place next to Space Shuttle Discovery at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

Engagement: For a pre-college SSEP community, typically 300+ grade 5-12 students are engaged in microgravity experiment design, resulting in 50-100 flight experiment proposals across the community. For an undergraduate SSEP community, with a higher level of experiment sophistication, and a higher level of required mentorship by faculty, the typical student engagement is no more than 30, with 7-10 flight experiment proposals. In each community one proposed experiment is selected for flight through a 2-step proposal review process.

Noteworthy:

SSEP Mission 18  to ISS, with a projected launch in September 2024,  includes flight experiments from eight undergraduate institutions: Queen’s College, Kingston, ON, Canada; Berkshire Community College, Pittsfield, MA; University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND; Ohio University, Athens, OH; Kent State University, Kent, OH; Community College of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA; Midlands Technical College, Columbia, SC; and San Jancinto College, Houston, TX.

SSEP Mission 17  to ISS, which launched November 9, 2023 at 8:28 pm ET,  included flight experiments from four undergraduate institutions: the College of Lake County, Grayslake, IL; the University System of Maryland, College Park, MD; the Community College of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA; and Collin College, McKinney, TX.

Read about the SSEP Step 2 National Review Board that selected the 39 SSEP flight experiments for Mission 17 to ISS. The Mission 17 experiments payload Orbiter launched on SpaceX-29 from Kennedy Space Center, November 9, 2023, and included experiments from the 4 undergraduate communities listed above.

Designated Spaceflight Programs: It is noteworthy that the University of Maryland has participated in 7 SSEP Missions (Mission 10 through 14 and Missions 16 and 17). Stockton University has participated in 4 Missions (Missions 11 through 14). Those communities participating in at least 3 Missions, and which are still active in SSEP, are designed as Spaceflight Programs, given they indeed have a continuing space program of their own.

Overarching University Involvement in SSEP: It should also be noted that 34 of the 52 Space Grant lead universities have partnered on SSEP, whether supporting an undergraduate or pre-college SSEP community program in their State. You’re invited to explore participation in SSEP by these universities at the SSEP National Partners page, under the section titled The National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program.

Quickly Scroll to Individual Undergraduate SSEP Communities

A. Recent SSEP Mission Participation (Mission 14 to Present)

1. Kingston, ON, Canada – Queen’s College (Mission 18)
2. Grayslake, IL – College of Lake County (Mission 17)
3. College Park, MD – University System of Maryland Spaceflight Program (Missions 10-14, 16, 17)
4. Pittsfield, MA – Berkshire Community College (Mission 18)
5. Gallaway, NJ – Stockton University Spaceflight Program (Missions 11-14)
6. Grand Forks, ND – University of North Dakota (Mission 18)
7. Athens, OH – Ohio University (Mission 18)
8. Kent, OH – Kent State University (Mission 18)
9. Pittsburgh, PA – Community College of Allegheny County (Missions 17, 18)
10. Pittsburgh, PA – University of Pittsburgh (Missions 13, 14)
11. Columbia, SC – Midlands Technical College (Mission 18)
12. Houston, TX – San Jacinto College (Mission 18)
13. McKinney, TX- Collin College (Mission 17)

B. Archival SSEP Mission Participation (Mission 13 and Earlier)

1. Toronto, Ontario, Canada – Ryerson University (Mission 8)
2. Bridgeport, CT – University of Bridgeport (Mission 12)
3. Dover, DE – Delaware State University (Mission 8)
4. Washington, DC – DC Space Grant University Community (Mission 6)
5. El Paso, TX – El Paso Community College (STS-134 and Mission 1)

A. Recent SSEP Mission Participation (Mission 14 to Present)

1. Kingston, ON, Canada – Queen’s College

Strategic Needs in STEM Education and the Case for SSEP
Innovation and entrepreneurial skills are essential to succeeding in this shifting economy and in preparing our students as future problem solvers. At Queen’s, our goals for STEM education institution are to act as an essential catalyst for advancing research and knowledge mobilization, strengthening Queen’s local, national and global impact, and enriching our students’ experiences.

Curiosity drives our students to be change-makers and innovators in solving the challenges that face our world. We can harness the passion of our students as change-makers and create authentic learning opportunities that would not only equip students with a different way of learning, being and practicing but also help us transition to a sustainable and just future. “We offer an exceptional student experience, attract and cultivate excellence and leadership, and push the boundaries of knowledge through research—in service to an inclusive, diverse and sustainable society.”

This transformation requires us to think in a more humanistic and collaborative manner in STEM education. Our goal is to encourage students to embrace this approach to STEM by preparing them to be engaged global citizens; understanding and reflecting on STEM’s impact on people and how they live while considering natural environment and resources. This approach also fosters an interdisciplinary approach to research equipping students to consider other perspectives, especially in their intersections and synergies.

SSEP aligns with several of Queen’s strategic goals, specifically authentic experiences, interdisciplinary in STEM, enriching the culture of undergraduate research, connecting learning to global challenges. This real-world experience fosters an inquiry-based learning environment where students contribute as members of a global society, through the process of question driven research, evidence-based reasoning and critical thinking. Authentic tasks and experiences “present students with a complex, real-world challenge in which the scenario, role, process and product are all authentic; they must then demonstrate that they have the skills and knowledge to complete the task” (Chun, 2010, p. 24). With this opportunity, students will meaningfully solve problems, use evidence to support their recommended solutions and develop new ideas. This experience will enable students to develop transferable skills to further their future in academia or workplace environments.

At Queen’s we believe that: “Our education transforms Queen’s students. Our diversity enriches the community. Our research changes the world,” and to achieve this “one of our priorities going forward is to make our campus more porous and collaborative both locally and globally.” The SSEP would help us advance this priority and the characteristics of this program strongly align with our goals.

Partner Institutions
Queen’s University

SSEP Mission Participation
Mission 18 to ISS

Colleges/Campuses Engaging Students in Microgravity Experiment Design: Queen’s College

Number of Students Engaged in Experiment Design: 100 (grades 15-16)
Number of Flight Experiment Proposals: 25

SSEP Community Program Co-Directors
Klodiana Kolomitro
kk78@queensu.ca

Mission 18 Flight Experiment

The Impact of Lectins on Escherichia coli Biofilm Formation in Microgravity
Grades 15-16, Queen’s College
Co-Principal Investigators: Grant Hurley, Maisha Maliha, Gurleen Multani, Cole Munro, Tessa Murchison, Ryan Stewart
Teacher Facilitators: Dr. Diane Tomalty, Dr. Olivia Giovannetti

Student researcher Ryan Stewart working to optimize the bacterial growth medium.

Proposal Summary:
Despite extensive research efforts to develop new antibiotics, the United Nations projects that drug-resistant bacteria will cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050. This public health crisis could force millions of people into extreme poverty in the next decade. Those with compromised immune systems, including astronauts, are at the greatest risk of developing bacterial infections, which are becoming increasingly challenging to treat. Escherichia coli (E. coli) lives inside the human gut and has been identified on spacecraft surfaces and in the air. Since astronauts cannot return to Earth for medical care during long-duration space flights, developing new ways to treat these infections is imperative to combat antibiotic resistance. Without the physical stresses of gravity, E. coli can share genes, proteins, and other molecules that protect them from immune cells and antibiotics more effectively. Bacteria like E. coli also secrete sticky substances that allow them to attach and grow together, forming a biofilm. Lectins are protective proteins made by plants that attach to the sugar chains on the outside of bacteria and can prevent them from forming biofilms. This proposed project would be the first to investigate whether lectins decrease the growth of E. coli in a microgravity environment. The results could lead to a practical opportunity in combining lectins with antibiotics, allowing scientists to enhance their effectiveness for astronauts and immunocompromised patients on Earth. Using lectins to improve current antibiotic treatments is a more feasible and cost-effective solution than spending billions on designing new antimicrobials that will eventually become obsolete.

2. Grayslake, Illinois – College of Lake County

Strategic Needs in STEM Education and the Case for SSEP
The Mission provided in the 2024 Strategic Plan is: “The College of Lake County is a comprehensive community college committed to equitable high-quality education, cultural enrichment and partnerships to advance the diverse communities it serves.”  The College has established six pillars to align all activities of the college to fulfill this mission. Participation in Student Space Flight Experiments Program (SSEP) aligns with the pillars of Access & Success for Students, Teaching and Learning Excellence, and Collaborative Culture.

Access & Success for Students: College of Lake County is an open access institution with low tuition that offers high quality basic science laboratory experiences. We plan to offer a research course associated with the SSEP. Any student wanting to learn more about the scientific process will have the ability to enroll in this course and work closely with faculty mentors.

Teaching and Learning Excellence: The SSEP project provides our students with an experiential learning opportunity to be involved in real-word scientific research involving novel experiments performed in microgravity.  Students will have the ability to compete for an opportunity for an experiment they designed to go to the international space station.  One team’s experiment from the College of Lake County will go to the international space station.

Collaborative Culture: It also fits into building a collaborative culture in that staff and faculty will work together to recruit students to participate in the SSEP project.  In additional, faculty will have significant collaboration with students in small groups as they provide mentoring on experimental design. Students will be working in multidisciplinary STEAM teams, fusing the creativity and innovation of arts with science and discovery.

In addition, to prepare students for lifelong learning, the college has established college-wide learning outcomes.  This program meets five of the outcomes: collaboration, critical thinking, information literacy, quantitative literacy, and writing.

Partner Institutions
College of Lake County

SSEP Mission Participation
Mission 17 to ISS

Colleges/Campuses Engaging Students in Microgravity Experiment Design: College of Lake County

Number of Students Engaged in Experiment Design: 32 (grades 13-16)
Number of Flight Experiment Proposals: 7

Mission Patch Art and Design Competition: two competitions; (grades 13-16)
Participating Institutions: College of Lake County
Competition Description and Flight Patches

SSEP Community Program Co-Directors
Jeanine Seitz
JSeitzPartridge@clcillinois.edu

Cynthia Trombino
BI0563@CLCILLINOIS.EDU

Mission 17 Flight Experiment

The Effects of Microgravity on Cholesterol Lowering Activity by Lactobacillus acidophilus
Grade 14, College of Lake County
Principal Investigator: Samuel Banuelos Barrios
Teacher Facilitator: Beth Wilson

Preparation of Cholesterol and LRMS Broth Solution.

Proposal Summary:
Lactobacillus acidophilus is a probiotic bacterium that can be found in the human mouth and intestines. This bacterium is classified as beneficial due to its effectiveness at preventing issues with digestion and diarrhea that result from antibiotic treatments. Several bacterial strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus have been shown to be able to assimilate and uptake cholesterol in a laboratory setting. The uptake and assimilation of cholesterol by L. acidophilus may be useful as a therapeutic approach for lowering cholesterol levels in humans. High levels of cholesterol are a contributing factor to cardiovascular disease which is the leading cause of death in the Western world. There are several cholesterol lowering drugs prescribed for patients that are at high risk for cardiovascular disease. The most widely prescribed cholesterol lowering drugs include statins and PCSK9 inhibitors. While these drugs have demonstrated efficacy towards lowering cholesterol levels in patients, they often have undesirable side effects. The potential adverse effects of statins include musculoskeletal symptoms, increased risk for diabetes, and strokes, while PCSK9 inhibitors side effects include muscle aches, infections, and fevers. Therefore, alternative cholesterol lowering treatments with fewer side effects are warranted. It has been demonstrated that several strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus are able to lower cholesterol levels in vitro. In addition, experiments done in simulated microgravity have provided insight into the mechanism for how Lactobacillus acidophilus expresses the genes involved in the metabolism of cholesterol. In this investigation, in vitro cholesterol lowering activity by Lactobacillus acidophilus in a microgravity environment will be studied.

3. College Park, Maryland – University System of Maryland Spaceflight Program

Mission 17 flight team working to optimize the materials and volumes to test the impact of microgravity on Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene expression in microgravity.

Strategic Needs in STEM Education and the Case for SSEP
University-level students of STEM are at a crucial stage of their learning in which they must apply theoretical concepts into practice, translating them to real-world applications, as they will soon join the workforce or enter graduate studies. Through M10-12, the USM SSEP Community Program has enabled students of our university system to cultivate these skills by participation in the planning of real science experiments, while developing writing, argumentation, and team-building capabilities.

By designing experiments that, if selected, will fly to the SSEP and produce real results, the students experience first-hand the processes by which research is conducted. By writing a proposal under competitive conditions, and with provided feedback, the students experience a version of the real-world process of grant application, which is mostly a team-based competitive effort that involves receiving reviewers’ comments and often resubmitting after implementing these comments. In all previous USM SSEP missions, winning students have been able to establish professional relationships with researchers to gain access to laboratory materials and space for FME tube loading and analyses.

Oral Presentation, 8th Annual SSEP National Conferencence, June 2018
Mission 11 to ISS Flight Experiment
Inhibition of P. Aeruginosa Biofilm with Antimicrobial Silicone in Microgravity
Principal Investigator: Stacey Mannuel
Co-Investigator: Colton Treadway, Niall Cope, Emma Mirizio
Advisor: Dr. Birthe Kjellerup
Teacher Facilitator: Dr. Daniel Serrano

Partner Institutions
University System of Maryland

Maryland Space Grant Consortium
University of Maryland College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences
University of Maryland Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics
University of Maryland Department of Physics
University of Maryland Department of Mathematics
University of Maryland The Fischell Department of Bioengineering
University of Maryland Department of Aerospace Engineering
University of Maryland Baltimore County
Salisbury University
Towson University
Duval High School
CASIS “Leveraging The ISS National Lab to Enable Digital Engagement and Higher Education” Grant University of Maryland College Park Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics

SSEP Community Program Director
Daniel Serrano
dsvolpe@umd.edu

SSEP Mission Participation: 7 Missions to ISS (Missions 10 through 14, 16, 17)

Flight Experiments and Conference Presentations

Mission 17 Flight Experiment

The Effect of Microgravity on Telomerase Activity and Efficiency in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Grade 16, University of Maryland, College Park
Co-Principal Investigators: Arthi Ramkumar, Jessica McClelland, Korina Vlahos, Sara Dawood, Shan Dawood
Teacher Facilitator: Daniel Enrique Serrano

Students working to optimize the materials and volumes to test the impact of microgravity on Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene expression in microgravity.

Proposal Summary:
Space exploration is expanding to more prolonged journeys and destinations beyond the moon.cTherefore, understanding how microgravity conditions impact the biochemical process that contributes to aging and chronic conditions like cancer is imperative, specifically pertaining to the functionality of telomerase. The purpose of this study is to determine how telomerase activity and efficiency is impacted by the exposure of microgravity. This investigation will use the yeast model Saccharomyces cerevisiae to quantify the function of telomerase by measuring the telomerecextensions and mRNA telomerase expression levels in Saccharomyces cerevisiae before and after the experimental groups return to earth. We will additionally host a control group experiment on Earth. The results of this investigation can contribute to improving the fitness of astronauts. Understanding how microgravity impacts telomerase function is integral to understanding how humans age in space, as well as to obtaining insight as to how disorders related to cell division like cancer are impacted and treated.

 

Mission 16 Flight Experiment

Generation of Metallic and Ceramic Nanoparticle Aggregates in Microgravity for Novel Insights into Planetary Formation
Grade 14, University of Maryland, College Park
Co-Principal Investigators: Vincent Lan, Adrian Seemangal
Investigator: Brian Sun
Teacher Facilitator: Michael Kio

The Terps in Space Mission 16 team working together in the lab. Left to right: Adrian Seemangal, Vincent Lan, and Brian Sun.

Proposal Summary:
Nanomaterials are composed from as little as 10 atoms but have contributed to revolutionary advancements in many fields including energy, medicine, manufacturing, and computing. Not only are nanomaterials the foundation for many of humanity’s greatest modern achievements, but they may also serve as principal components to understanding the initial formation mechanisms of planetary bodies. Nanoparticles contain a relatively few numbers of atoms with many atoms residing on the surface, contributing to a great amount of surface energy compared to larger bulk materials. To reduce energy, nanoparticles cluster form aggregates. Current understanding of planet formation relies on the sticking and clustering of cosmic dust particles, aided by a star’s gravitational and magnetic field. Once diameters exceed a few centimeters, aggregates transition into planetesimals and self-gravitation becomes the primary growth mechanism. However, before that point in the millimeter-to-centimeter range, planetesimals bounce off one another instead of sticking together, hindering growth. This specific problem has puzzled planetary scientists. Thus, this investigation will seek insights from the formation of metallic and ceramic nanoparticles clusters in microgravity to develop detailed understanding of planet formation. Metallic and ceramic particles represent the compositions of the cosmic dust considered to be the building blocks of the Solar System. Understanding aggregation of nanoparticles will enhance the efficiency of novel technologies including, but not limited to, heat-based cancer treatment, 3D-printed electronics, and the operation of portable MRI devices on the International Space Station (ISS). Insights from this investigation could contribute to the advancement of these technologies.

 

Mission 14 Flight Experiment

The Effect of Microgravity on Bacteriophage Replication and Infectivity
(Part II to Mission 12 Flight Experiment)
Grades 13-14, University of Maryland, College Park
Co-Principal Investigators: Sabrina Dineshkumar, Aaron Kong, Jiatong Liang, Asad Rizvi
Teacher Facilitator: Natalia Stepanova

From left to right: Sabrina Dineshkumar, Asad Rizvi, Aaron Kong and Jiatong (Kevin) Liang.

Proposal Summary:
Aboard the ISS, low gravitational pull, radiation from cosmic rays, and lack of ventilation are some of the many factors that lead to a greater rate of bacterial mutations, such as increased metabolic activity and antibiotic resistance, as compared to on Earth. This phenomenon introduces risk for greater bacterial exposure to astronauts and it is important that the ISS maintains advanced methodologies for sanitation that can combat even the most adapted bacterial strains. As an alternative to traditional sterility methods, such as alcohol or UV irradiation, in recent years, bacteriophages have re-emerged as potential use against bacteria. The introduction of bacteriophage sterilization could create an alternative for not only disinfection on the ISS, but for further and even more developed uses for bacterial infections (i.e. antibiotic substitutes). Bacteriophages are a type of virus that infect and destroy targeted bacteria from within cells, while remaining harmless to humans. Their versatility could be greatly explored, as proposed in this experiment design. This project will ultimately focus on analyzing the rates of mutations and the effects of microgravity on T4 bacteriophage infectivity. Gene expression changes will be observed through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and sequencing, particularly expression of the phage infection lytic enzymes. In an increased phage infectivity rate, the T4 bacteriophage could provide an effective and environmentally friendly sterilization alternative to the traditional disinfectants used today. With further research and experimentation, bacteriophages could be used as sterilization agents and directly applied on surfaces via spraying or as wet wipes.

 

Mission 13 Flight Experiment

Biofilm Adhesion of E. coli to Annealed Porous and Smooth Aluminum in Microgravity
Grade 13, University of Maryland College Park, University System of Maryland
Co-Principal Investigators: Debbie Adam, Michelle Fang, Niki Gooya, Pali Keppertipola, Apurva Raghu
Teacher Facilitator: Natasha Ivanina

Debbie Adam, Niki Gooya, and Michelle Fang (left to right) perform preliminary experiments with LB broth and FME tubes while Apurva Raghu analyzes E. coli bacterial cultures (Swarnapali M. Keppetipola not pictured).

Proposal Summary:
Biofilms are communities of microorganisms with complex physiologies which can facilitate the development of diseases like atherosclerosis and leptospirosis. This poses a risk for health and wellness of astronauts in confined environments, meaning that deterring biofilm growth is of extreme importance on long haul missions. The great structural diversity of these microbial systems contributes to its acquisition of resistance towards antimicrobial substances through generational selection. In addition to illness, biofilms in space may obstruct the function of critical equipment. Such equipment is often constructed of aluminum alloys, as its low production costs combined with high malleability facilitate the formation of a wide range of innovative designs. We propose an experiment that analyzes the adhesion of Escherichia coli on porous and smooth aluminum surfaces to determine if smoother surfaces of aluminum garner more bacterial adhesion in a microgravity setting than a porous one. Research indicates that E. coli is capable of biofilm formation, and known for microbial surface colonization. Earlier inquiries into biofilm formation on porous surfaces show reduced microbial attachment and formation. We intend to see whether or not these results are analogous or contingent in a weightless environment. In the event we observe elevated microbial formation on annealed smooth aluminum, our experiment will suggest concurrence with current research findings. Additionally, it would be recommended that the equipment used on the International Space Station be made of porous materials. Following mission completion, biofilm growth on both the annealed porous and annealed smooth aluminum samples will be analyzed via confocal microscopy.

 

Mission 12 Flight Experiment

The Effect of Microgravity on Bacteriophage Replication and Infectivity
Grade 15, University of Maryland College Park, University System of Maryland
Co-Principal Investigators: Rushi Challa, Natalie Ivanina
Teacher Facilitator: Dr. Daniel Serrano

Rushi Challa (Biology and Psychology double major at UMD College Park) and Natasha Ivanina (Biology: Cell Biology & Genetics major at UMD College Park) perform FME volume optimization measurements in Dan Nelson’s bacteriophage lab at the Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research.

Proposal Summary:
The 21st century is the time for introduction of bacteriophage therapy for disinfection of food and water, in addition to the replacement of antibiotics. Bacteriophages are effective and environmentally-friendly viruses that destroy bacteria, yet remain harmless to humans. Studies on the ISS have uncovered that extreme environmental conditions of space, including low gravitational pull and radiation from galactic cosmic rays, induce greater mutation rates and bacterial changes such as increased biomass, metabolic activity, and antibiotic resistance (observed as a thicker-developed peptidoglycan cell wall) compared to bacteria on Earth. In addressing these growing features and resistance, our project focuses on the effect of microgravity on the infectivity rate of a T4 bacteriophage, opening the question of whether or not phage effectiveness will heighten or appear compromised in microgravity. We propose sending freeze-dried samples of T4 bacteriophages and their target bacteria, E. coli, into orbit. Upon arrival both will be activated, bacteria will begin to replicate, and the phages will start their infection cycles. After a two-day time period, we will fix the samples and bring them back to Earth for analysis through transcriptome profiling and observing gene expression changes induced by the microgravity environment. Observing these factors could reveal greater expression of genes coding for certain infection enzymes of the phages, such as integrase (thus, a greater infectivity rate). In the event that we observe a heightened efficacy of phage activity complementary to the respective bacterial growth, this may suggest that bacteriophages could provide a powerful alternative to traditional antibacterial agents.

 

Mission 11 Flight Experiment

Inhibition of P. Aeruginosa Biofilm Formation with Silver Impregnated Antimicrobial Silicone in Microgravity
Grade 14, University of Maryland College Park, University System of Maryland
Co-Principal Investigators: Stacey Audrey Mannuel, Colton Justis Treadway
Teacher Facilitator: Rachel Manthe

Stacey Mannuel and Colton Treadway (left to right) measure the components of the medium needed for their experiment.

Proposal Summary:
Here we propose a method to comparatively analyze the effect of antibacterial material on the growth of P. aeruginosa biofilm in micro-gravitational conditions. Biofilms are a large concern in the medical field due to its resistance to antibiotics and ability to cause infections. Additionally, they also pose a problem in the maintenance of space instruments and astronaut health. Our team proposes to test the new technology of silver-based antimicrobial silicone rubber by growing P. aeruginosa biofilms on both non-modified silicone and antimicrobial silicone in our FME. P. aeruginosa was chosen because it is a well-studied model for general biofilm formation. Previous research has demonstrated that the lack of physical stresses in microgravity promotes biofilm formation. Though silver-based antimicrobial silicone has been shown to reduce P. aeruginosa biofilm formation by 95% in normal ground conditions, we wish to see how it performs under low-shear conditions that are experienced in space in order to better understand its efficacy as medical implants. Furthermore, we hope that our data will reinforce the current research surrounding space biofilm formation and determine whether or not the ion mechanism of the silver-based antimicrobial silicone can successfully prevent biofilm growth. Upon return from the ISS, the biofilm grown on both the unmodified and antimicrobial silicone will be collected and compared to a ground control experiment via confocal microscopy analysis.

 

Title: Inhibition of P. Aeruginosa Biofilm with Antimicrobial Silicone in Microgravity
Oral Presentation, 8th Annual SSEP National Conference, June 2018
University of Maryland College Park
Grade levels: 14-15

Type of Experiment: Flight Experiment, Mission 11

Principal Investigator: Stacey Mannuel
Co-Investigator: Colton Treadway, Niall Cope, Emma Mirizio
Advisor: Dr. Birthe Kjellerup
Teacher Facilitator: Dr. Daniel Serrano

Abstract: Our experiment analyzes the effect of antibacterial silicone on the growth of P. aeruginosa biofilm in micro-gravitational conditions. Biofilms pose a problem in the maintenance of space instruments and astronaut health. Freeze-dried P. aeruginosa bacteria were activated with media on A=0 and allowed to grow on both non-modified silicone and antimicrobial silicone before being fixed on A+2. For analysis, our biofilm samples grown on the two surfaces will be compared to a ground control experiment via confocal microscopy analysis.

 

Mission 10 Flight Experiment

Bacterial Motility in Microgravity
Grade 15, University of Maryland College Park
Co-Principal Investigators: Yaniv Kazansky, Aaron Solomon, Garshasb Soroosh
Advisor: Dr. Wade Winkler
Teacher Facilitator: Dr. Kenneth Frauwirth

Yaniv Kazansky, Aaron Solomon, and Garshasb Soroosh (left to right) perform a test loading of their fluid mixing enclosure (FME) to optimize the volumes needed in their experiment. Photo credit: Faye Levine, Graphic Designer at UMD CMNS Communications.

Proposal Summary:
Long-term space habitation poses numerous issues for astronaut health, including the prevention and treatment of infectious disease. NASA has made public its concern for the threat posed by infectious bacteria to long-term manned missions, and has conducted experiments on the International Space Station (ISS) to determine how microgravity affects pathogens. This prior research suggests that bacterial motility, a crucial component of many infections, is increased aboard the ISS. Our study seeks to confirm these findings and elucidate which bacterial genes specifically are responsible for modified motility, in the hope of better understanding how disease-causing pathogenic bacteria act in space. We will send dormant bacterial spores of Bacillus subtilis to the ISS, where they will be activated, allowed to grow and divide, and then preserved in microgravity before returning to Earth. We will explore if microgravity causes the bacteria to express (activate or deactivate) their genes differently compared to an identical control sample grown on Earth. This change is recorded in the mRNA produced by the bacteria, and any changes in the number of mRNA molecules and the individual sequence codes of each mRNA strand can be determined using RNA sequencing. The sequence data can then be processed via high-throughput bioinformatic techniques, allowing determination of which bacterial genes are differentially expressed in microgravity, and the molecular pathways that underlie them. This study will shed light on how bacterial motility differs in space, and serve as a critical step in safeguarding astronauts from acquiring infectious disease.

 

Title: Bacterial Motility in Microgravity
Oral Presentation, 6th Annual SSEP National Conference, June 2016
University of Maryland College Park
Grade level: 15

Type of Experiment: Flight Experiment, Mission 10

Co-Principal Investigators: Yaniv Kazansky, Aaron Solomon, Garshasb Soroosh
Collaborator: Wade Winkler
Teacher Facilitator: Kenneth Frauwirth

Abstract: Pathogenic (disease-causing) bacteria are a threat to long-term space travel, and microgravity has been shown to enhance pathogenicity. This experiment will assess the role of microgravity on expression of pathogenicity genes by bacterium Bacilus subtilis. B. subtilis endospores will be sent to the ISS and activated in microgravity. Growth will be stopped and mRNA will be preserved before reentry. We will analyze mRNA levels (through RNAseq) on the ISS sample and a ground control, providing information on gene expression.

4. Pittsfield, MA – Berkshire Community College

Strategic Needs in STEM Education and the Case for SSEP
Berkshire Community College’s recent Strategic Plan names several important goals to improve the academic community of Berkshire Community College and the larger community of Berkshire County. One of these goals is to achieve an Equitable Workforce and Community Engagement in part by increasing knowledge and interest surrounding STEM topics for area learners. This will help increase the number of local STEM teachers, addressing a need seen nationwide. Berkshire County schools have very active recruitment efforts for STEM teachers, and many local issues require a public comfortable with STEM to properly address.

Another aim is to prepare students for local STEM careers, particularly those with a technical design aspect. Those working in STEM fields, research or technical, should be comfortable with the realities of science experimentation. Researchers, technicians, educators, and other STEM professionals should not experience a research process for the first time when they have already invested themselves heavily in a STEM career. To that end, BCC courses prioritize hands-on experience so that graduates are set up for success as much as possible.

The proposed program team sees the SSEP as a chance to immerse students in research to give them the necessary experience to succeed in a STEM path. The foundational skillset for STEM learning found in the Next Generation Science Standards (NSTA) includes several Science and Engineering Practices directly supported by the SSEP program. These include Planning and Carrying Out Investigations and Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions, both with strong connections to our existing standards-based curricula. Our program team is well versed in connecting projects like this to skill building, and the broader faculty will be able to engage with the project lessons.

BCC students have ample opportunity for research work with college faculty, and support groups such as the STEM Starter Academy help to facilitate those. The college has an explicit goal to encourage career exploration and direct experience among students. Faculty often seek out new opportunities to allow students to follow their passions. The authentic research opportunity created by the SSEP facilitates exactly that and the program team expects it to resonate with many passionate students. The research process will emphasize collaboration and communication through shared networks to promote digital skills, and professional connections will offer career exploration for our STEM students.

Exploring and developing inclusive STEM programming is a specific focus of our workforce and community goal, particularly using the Berkshire Science Commons. All the project groups for our proposed SSEP program can use the technology and tools in the Science Commons to supply technical experiences alongside the research experiences. The practical application of the NGSS Science and Engineering Practices will expand the participants’ skillsets and give them the experience of seeing a science project through.

Partner Institutions
Berkshire Community College

SSEP Mission Participation
Mission 18 to ISS

Colleges/Campuses Engaging Students in Microgravity Experiment Design: Berkshire Community College

Number of Students Engaged in Experiment Design: 30 (grades 13-16)
Number of Flight Experiment Proposals: 10

Mission Patch Art and Design Competition: one competition; (grades 9-12)
Participating Institutions: TBD
Competition Description and Flight Patches

SSEP Community Program Co-Directors
Colin Wilson
cwilson@berkshirecc.edu

Mission 18 Flight Experiment

The Effects of Microgravity on the Chromosomal Alignment on the Metaphase Plate in Onion Root Tip Cells
Grade 14, Berkshire Community College
Co-Principal Investigators: Anastasiya Bolotova, William Garrity, Erica Langnickel
Teacher Facilitator: Dylan Carman

The Pittsfield team examines onion root tips halted mid-mitosis in preparation for their SSEP Mission 18 experiment.

Proposal Summary:
In our proposed experiment we will address the following question: Does microgravity affect chromosomal alignment on the metaphase plate during mitosis in onion root tip cells? We hypothesize that the onion root tip cells that will enter metaphase in microgravity will have more abnormalities in the equatorial chromosome alignment than the cells that will enter metaphase in Earth’s gravity. Alignment of chromosomes on the metaphase plate is important for ensuring that both daughter cells have the same number of chromosomes and are completely identical. Prior experiments have shown that microgravity affects the cytoskeleton of the cell, which is crucial for chromosomal alignment on the metaphase plate, and chromosomal segregation in anaphase. For this experiment, we will germinate onion seeds in microgravity on the International Space Station and in Earth’s gravity on the ground in the FME mini-lab. After 12 days of germinating we will fix the germinating onion roots with formalin. We will then stain the onion root tip cells and use light microscopy to compare the cells undergoing metaphase in microgravity to the cells undergoing metaphase in Earth’s gravity. The goal of the analysis is to see whether chromosomes stray away from the metaphase plate or if their equatorial alignment will remain unaffected. As human cells perform mitosis similarly to plant cells, this proposed experiment will be able to provide insight into the possible effects of long-term exposure to microgravity and other low gravity environments on humans and on the growth of plants in microgravity.

5. Galloway, New Jersey – Stockton University Spaceflight Program

Mission 14 Student Researcher, Sophia Bradach testing her flight experiment on nitrogen fixation in peas in the Stockton University plant growth facility.

Strategic Needs in STEM Education and the Case for SSEP
The School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NAMS) and the Stockton STEM Collaborative (SSC) at Stockton University (SU) again proposes to lead SU’s participation in our third consecutive Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP) mission, Mission 13, to the International Space Station (ISS). The SU program proposes to engage a minimum of 30 undergraduate students in the development of an authentic research competition to design and implement microgravity experiments (physical, chemical, biological, and/or physiological) that will culminate in one SU experimental design being chosen and flown to the ISS for exposure to microgravity conditions.

The program will be organized around a general Natural Sciences and Mathematics course (GNM) in the School of General Studies (GNM 2800- Student Spaceflight Experiments Program). This will allow students in any major (including science majors) to enroll in the course to help fulfil their general studies science requirements. This format will also emphasize the interdisciplinary nature of modern science.

It is anticipated that the competition, like our current SSEP Mission 12, will engage not only the participating students but will also engage the STEM community both at Stockton and our local K-12 districts. This will be achieved through the mission patch competition and presenting the project and work to local schools.

A key partner for this effort is the Stockton STEM Collaborative that includes many elements of the University community involved in STEM education and engagement with K-12 STEM educators. This group includes participants from the SU Schools of Education; General Studies; Health Sciences; Natural Sciences and Mathematics; and Social and Behavioral Sciences, as well as members of the Provosts office and the Office of Student Affairs. The STEM Collaborative’s goal is to recruit and retain talented students, particularly from underrepresented groups into the STEM disciplines at SU. The project objectives are: 1) Promoting collaboration and sharing of STEM/STEAM education resources across the University; 2) Increasing the number of K through college pathways to STEM education for underserved populations; 3) Improve recruitment and retention working with Admissions, the Equal Opportunity Fund (EOF) and the First Year Program; 4) Coordinate funding opportunities to maximize successful grant seeking; 5) Cross-market existing Stockton STEM K-12 outreach programs (e.g. Summer Enrichment Academy at Stockton and Tech Trek residential camps, Office of Naval Research Sea Perch and the Jersey Shore Science fair). Part of the STEM Collaborative’s mission is to develop a corps of SU students and faculty to engage with the K-12 community and SU underclasspersons with curricular workshops featuring innovative STEM concepts and demonstrations. The SSEP project interfaces with all of these objectives. The School of General Studies is supporting the project through academic credit in the General Natural Sciences and Mathematics curriculum. The School of Education is supporting the project through the STEM Collaborative, facilitation of K-12 outreach, and through recruiting of students dual majoring in teacher education and STEM disciplines.

The Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP) fits well into Stockton’s vision for our students to develop critical thinking skills and an understanding of the scientific method as well as to participate in serious undergraduate research. As SSEP is an authentic research project and includes elements of hypothesis generation, experimental design, participation in proposal development and review, data analysis and presentation. The program meets the learning objectives for our General Natural Sciences and Mathematics and many of our disciplinary major curriculums. The School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics has a tradition of fostering undergraduate research and the SSEP allows us to involve larger number of students in this research and to prepare students to develop the skills they need to be successful in practicing science as graduate students, research technicians or educators. The SSEP also has become an important outreach to the local K-12 STEM community, which is an important community service and also serves to make pre-college students aware of the many science degrees that they could earn at Stockton.

Oral Presentation, 9th Annual SSEP National Conferencence, June 2019
Mission 13 to ISS Flight Experiment
Analysis of Double Stranded Break Repair in Haploid Saccharomyces cerevisiae Under Spaceflight Conditions
Co-Principal Investigators: Matthew Elko, Joseph Romanowski, Daniel Stoyko
Teacher Facilitator: Dr. Michael Law

Partner Institutions
Stockton University

New Jersey Space Grant Consortium

SSEP Community Program Director
Peter Straub
peter.straub@stockton.edu

SSEP Mission Participation: 4 Missions to ISS (Missions 11 through 14)

Flight Experiments and Conference Presentations

Mission 14 Flight Experiment

The Effects of Nitrogen Fixation in Pisum sativum in Microgravity
Grade Undergraduate, Stockton University
Principal Investigator: Sophia Bradach
Teacher Facilitator: Peter Straub

Sophia Bradach testing her flight experiment on nitrogen fixation in peas in the Stockton University plant growth facility.

Proposal Summary:
Humans have long dreamed of long-term space travel; it has been present in our media since the 1800’s. For this human dream to come into fruition the perfection of self-sustainable agriculture in altered gravity conditions must be attained. This experiment will investigate an essential part of sustainable agriculture under the pressures of microgravity, nitrogen fixation. This experiment will, in a small enclosed tube, germinate a pea allowing it to fix nitrogen, then fix the system in place. Nitrogen related compounds will then be tested and quantified in both the soil and plant. The results of this experiment will be able to shine light on the effects microgravity has on this important natural process under the strains of micro gravity. This delicate symbiosis could effectively open the door to space colonization and long-term flights. The practical applications of this experiment open the door to foreign soil development and sustainable subsistence agriculture in space.

 

Mission 13 Flight Experiment

Analysis of Double-stranded Break Repair in Haploid Saccharomyces cerevisiae Under Spaceflight Conditions
Grades 13-16, Stockton University
Co-Principal Investigators: Matthew Elko, Joseph Romanowski, Daniel Stoyko
Teacher Facilitator: Dr. Michael Law

Undergraduate Stockton University students Daniel Stoyko , Mathew Elko and Joseph Romanowski prepare yeast for their Mission 13 SSEP experiment on mutation in space (photo credit Susan Allen).

Proposal Summary:
With the advancement of space age, humans spend increasing amounts of time in spaceflight. To ensure their well-being, all health-risks associated with spaceflight conditions have to be studied in great detail. Arguably, the most concerning of such risks is DNA damage which may contribute to cancer. Double-strand breaks in DNA (DSB) are well known to be causes of chromosomal aberrations that result in carcinogenesis. One of the pathways responsible for the repair of such DSBs is non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). Although NHEJ generally prevents cancer, there is sufficient data suggesting that NHEJ is the cause of carcinogenesis in certain conditions. For this reason, it is important to study the mechanics of NHEJ under microgravity and space radiation (spaceflight conditions). This project will use type 3 FME NanoRacks mini-lab to expose actively dividing Saccharomyces cerevisiae to bleomycin, a DSB inducing agent, for two days. The experiment will then be stopped by fixation using a final concentration of 4% paraformaldehyde. Once the sample returns to Earth, DSB repair will be quantified using a combination of cytological and molecular assays that can measure unresolved DSBs. The data from these methods will provide information regarding rate of DSB repair, expression of NHEJ related genes, and rate of mutations induced by NHEJ in spaceflight compared to on Earth.

 

Title: Analysis of Double Stranded Break Repair in Haploid Saccharomyces cerevisiae Under Spaceflight Conditions
Oral Presentation, 9th Annual SSEP National Conference, June 2019
Stockton University
Grade levels: Undergraduate

Type of Experiment: Flight Experiment, Mission 13 to ISS

Co-Principal Investigators: Matthew Elko, Joseph Romanowski, Daniel Stoyko

Teacher Facilitator: Michael J. Law, Ph. D.

Abstract: As spaceflight advances, significant questions regarding health risks should be addressed. This experiment addresses DNA damage repair under microgravity using the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. At A=0, clamp 1 is removed to expose desiccated yeast to growth media and a DNA damaging drug. At A+2, clamp 2 is removed to allow fixation of the dividing yeast culture. DNA damage repair will be analyzed using a combination of molecular and cellular approaches.

 

Mission 12 Flight Experiment

The Effects of Microgravity on PGMA Based Self-Assembly and Impacts on Drug Delivery Systems
Grades 13-14, Stockton University
Co-Principal Investigators: Daniel Schneider, Christina Tallone
Teacher Facilitator: Dr. Pamela Cohn

Stockton students Christina Tallone and Daniel Schneider work with Dr. Pamela Cohn to optimize crosslinker reagents to study the effects of microgravity on self-assembly of drug delivery systems.

Proposal Summary:
With the emergence of controlled release pharmaceuticals and their benefits in our society, the proposed experiment will contribute valuable information to this new field of study. Hydrogel drug delivery systems are incredibly valuable and used in several important aspects of medicine: from anti-cancer drugs to insulin. However while assembling, hydrophobic drugs, like many psychoactive medications, form polydispersed micelles and are not useful in drug systems. Polydispersed micelles are unpredictable and deliver medicines at varying rates. There is currently no known method for assembling monodispersed micelles around hydrophobic molecules. The proposed experiment will test to see if microgravity conditions will result in monodispersed micelles, which could be used for drug delivery. The experiment includes the self-assembly of PEGMA around indigo dye, a hydrophobic molecule, in place of a drug. An PEG dithiol crosslinker will add stability to the micelles formed. With the addition of microgravity, we are intending to find monodispersed micelle formation. If microgravity leads to monodispersed micelles, the more favorable formation, pharmaceutical companies can use this information in preparation of these important drugs, that otherwise cannot be delivered using these systems. Outside of pharmaceuticals, this experiment could also have future implications for drug delivery applications with humans participating in space travel, progressing the research of hydrogels, and the increasing the level understanding of self-assembly as a whole.

 

Title: The Effects of Microgravity on PEGMA based Self-Assembly and Impacts on Drug Delivery Systems
Oral Presentation, 9th Annual SSEP National Conference, June 2019
Stockton University
Grade level: 16

Type of Experiment: Flight Experiment, Mission 12 to ISS

Co-Principal Investigators: Daniel Schneider, Christina Tallone, Chioma Uka

Advisor: Dr. Nathaniel Nucci

Teacher Facilitator: Dr. Pamela Cohn

Abstract: This experiment investigated how a polymeric drug delivery vehicle can self-assemble around a hydrophobic dye in microgravity conditions. It was hypothesized that microgravity conditions could be a solution to creating a monodispersed drug delivery system. After return from the ISS, microscopic analysis showed that the flight experiment exhibited a greater amount of long-range order and mono-dispersity than the ground truth experiments. These trends support the hypothesis of the experiment, but should be repeated to track release kinetics in solution.

 

Title: The Effects of Microgravity on PGMA Based Self-Assembly and Impacts on Drug Delivery Systems
Oral Presentation, 8th Annual SSEP National Conference, June 2018
Stockton University
Grade levels: 13-14

Type of Experiment: Flight Experiment, Mission 12

Co-Principal Investigators: Daniel Schneider, Christina Tallone
Investigator: Chioma Uka
Teacher Facilitator: Dr. Pamela Cohn

Abstract: The experiment will address the problem of polydispersity of hydrophobic drug molecules when encapsulated by polymers under normal Earth conditions. The proposed experiment will test to see if microgravity conditions will result in monodispersed micelles, which could be used for drug delivery. The experiment includes the self-assembly of PEGMA around indigo dye, a hydrophobic molecule, in place of a drug. A PEG-dithiol crosslinker will add stability to the micelles formed.

 

Mission 11 Flight Experiment

Spores in Space: The Effects of Microgravity on Endomycorrhizae
Grade 14, Stockton University
Co-Principal Investigators: Danielle Ertz, Valkyrie Falciani
Teacher Facilitator: Dr. Tara Luke

Stockton University students Valkyrie Falciani and Danielle Ertz setting up a preliminary experiment with flax seeds in an FME.

Proposal Summary:
The human race is moving closer and closer to long term space travel to explore beyond our blue planet and this has posed some interesting challenges. One of the main problems we face is growing our own long lasting food supply in microgravity. While a lot of work has been done to study plant growth in space, we believe that agriculture in microgravity can be improved by studying mycorrhizae: the mutualist relationship between plants and fungi. This relationship has been shown, on Earth, to greatly increase the productivity of agriculturally important plant species. We propose to study this by using the type 3 FME Mini Lab to combine Glomus invermaium, a species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, and Linum usitatissimum, or flax, on the International Space Station (ISS), and then compare the results to a ground truth experiment. No matter the outcome of the experiment there is valuable information that we can gain that will aid space travel in the future.

 

Title: The Effects of Microgravity on Endomycorrhizae
Oral Presentation, 8th Annual SSEP National Conference, June 2018
Stockton University
Grade level: Undergraduate

Type of Experiment: Flight Experiment, Mission 11

Co-Principal Investigators: Danielle Ertz, Valkyrie Falciani, Hannah Sandler
Co-Investigators: Francisca Ekekwe, Ariel Petchel, Chedecia Low, Megan Pierce
Teacher Facilitator: Dr. Tara Luke

Abstract: The purpose of the experiment was to combine Rhizophagus intraradices, a species of arbuscular mycorrhizae, and Linum usitatissimum, or flax, to test the mutualistic relationship between the two organisms in a microgravity environment and compare our results to the trials on Earth. After the experiment returned from space, it was examined and was prepped for analysis. We determined that the spores that were within microgravity conditions had produced more reproductive structures than the Earth samples among the flax while germinating.

 

Title: Spores in Space: The Effects of Microgravity on Endomycorrhizae
Oral Presentation, 7th Annual SSEP National Conference, June 2017
Stockton University
Grade level: 14

Type of Experiment: Flight Experiment, Mission 11

Co-Principal Investigators: Valkyrie Falciani, Danielle Ertz
Co-Investigators: Francisca Ekekwe, Ariel Petchel, Vashti Hill, Amanda Michael
Teacher Facilitator: Tara Harmer Luke

Abstract: Long term space travel poses interesting challenges, including growing a long-term food supply. Agriculture in microgravity can be improved by studying mycorrhizae: the mutualist relationship between plants and fungi, because this relationship increases the productivity of agriculturally important plant species on Earth. In a type 3 FME Mini Lab we combine Rhizophagus intraradices, a species of arbuscular mycorrhizae with flax (Linum usitatissimum), and explore the effect of microgravity on the relationship. Any outcome provides valuable information for future space travel.

6. Grand Forks, ND – University of North Dakota

Strategic Needs in STEM Education and the Case for SSEP
Exploration is intrinsic to human nature; and exploration of isolated, confined, and extreme environments requires an interdisciplinary approach. Our departmental focus is on the interdisciplinary education of our graduate and undergraduate students where we have a unique perspective and connection with industry. Our students come from a plethora of backgrounds from matriculating students to those already in industry looking to further their education. However, all of our students have one primary goal; working in the rapidly growing field of aerospace. With NASA focused on Artemis (staying on as well as going beyond the Moon), commercial space looking at the future of space access, and the ever-growing presence of defense operations in space, our university and our students are in a prime situation to enter or advance within that workforce.

Giving students, especially our undergraduates, the opportunity to experience the pathway of research from proposal to the ultimate possibility of having their project fly to the ISS would allow us to not only better prepare our students for matriculation to our graduate program or industry, but also give them a unique opportunity to experience a real-world research experience.

Partner Institutions
University of North Dakota

SSEP Mission Participation
Mission 18 to ISS

Colleges/Campuses Engaging Students in Microgravity Experiment Design: University of North Dakota – John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences – Space Studies Department

Number of Students Engaged in Experiment Design: 30 (grades 13-16)
Number of Flight Experiment Proposals: 10

SSEP Community Program Co-Directors
Pablo de Leon
pablo.de.leon@und.edu

Keith Crisman
keith.crisman@und.edu

Mission 18 Flight Experiment

The Effects of Rhizobia Enriched Soil on the Growth of Phaseolus Vulgaris (Black Beans) in Microgravity
Grades 14-15, University of North Dakota
Co-Principal Investigators: Peter Gauthier, Christopher Erickson, Colin Hoff
Teacher Facilitator: Keith Crisman

The Space Beans Crew looking over their data during the first run of their experiment for SSEP in the lab. Results are looking good!

Proposal Summary:
This investigation will determine the effects that microgravity has on the ability of Rhizobia bacteria strains to affect Phaseolus Vulagris sprouting. The goal is to determine whether or not growth in microgravity is not only possible but also sustainable for future endeavors in space exploration. The ability to sprout and grow plants quickly in a microgravity environment is paramount to ensure the ability of the crew to remain healthy and fed throughout long journeys.

7. Athens, OH – Ohio University

Strategic Needs in STEM Education and the Case for SSEP
STEM education at Ohio University is focused on providing students with the skills they need to be successful in STEM careers. Numerous courses are designed to embed content in experiential learning opportunities where students learn through doing and can make the connections between course content and real-world applications. In some STEM departments, like Plant Biology, all students are required to have at least one undergraduate research experience working with an active research faculty advisor or an internship experience with businesses in their area of interest. Although only one such experience is required for graduation, most students take advantage of multiple research and internship experiences during their time at OHIO.

In addition, in 2021, Ohio University launched a revised General Education program to better represent the core educational values of Ohio University. The foundation of the new general education program is the OHIO Common Goals.

All students at Ohio University are now actively engaged in courses designed to specifically address these common goals, and learning is assessed as part of the university curriculum. Of the eight common goals, five are directly addressed in the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program: critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, written communication, teamwork, integrative learning. Thus, participating in the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program will provide an experiential learning experience while delivering an activity complementary to our curricular activities and delivering on our goals.

Proposed program director Wyatt is curriculum chair of Plant Biology and served on the Reimagining General Education Taskforce that developed the new General Education program. She believed education should be experiential and tied to career exploration and development. She developed and teaches scientific writing for graduate and upper division undergraduates with a new course recently developed for early career biologists/scientists. The courses employ integrative learning strategies with all assignments related to real world applications in the sciences and students are free to choose the topics best related to their interests and career goals. She also regularly co-sponsors specialty courses using immersive, problem-based learning strategies to enhance STEM education opportunities in natural settings. Thus, Wyatt is excited to offer this program at Ohio University to provide an integrative learning opportunity for undergraduates in the microgravity/spaceflight arena, an area that will generate excitement across the university.

Partner Institutions
Ohio University

SSEP Mission Participation
Mission 18 to ISS

Colleges/Campuses Engaging Students in Microgravity Experiment Design: Ohio University Main Campus, Ohio University Eastern Campus – St. Clairsville, OH; Ohio University Chillicothe, OH Campus; Ohio University Zanesville, OH Campus

Number of Students Engaged in Experiment Design: 50 (grades 13-16)
Number of Flight Experiment Proposals: 10

SSEP Community Program Co-Directors
Sarah E. Wyatt
wyatts@ohio.edu

Nathaniel Szewczyk
szewczyk@ohio.edu

Mission 18 Flight Experiment

Effect of Spaceflight-Adapted Bacteria on Plant Growth and Resilience in Microgravity
Grades 14-16, Ohio University
Co-Principal Investigators: Michael Lane, Nathan Smith, Victoria Swiler
Teacher Facilitator: Nicholas Whitticar

Ohio University’s Mission 18 Team (Michael Lane, Victoria Swiler and Nathan Smith) examining the growth of Sphingomonas sanguinis, an ISS-derived bacteria.

Proposal Summary:
Manned space travel and colonization of the Moon, Mars, and beyond requires growing plants for food, nutrients, and gas exchange. One method of promoting plant growth in stressful environments, such as microgravity, is by inoculating them with beneficial bacteria. Novel strains of Sphingomonas sanguinis have been identified on the International Space Station (ISS) that contain plant growth-promoting genes, but their effects on plants have not been tested. Therefore, the proposed experiment will determine if S. sanguinis promotes resilience to microgravity in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Arabidopsis will be grown with and without S. sanguinis in microgravity and on Earth, creating four experimental conditions. In preliminary experiments, S. sanguinis from the ISS demonstrated benefits to plant growth within the mini-laboratory device. To determine if S. sanguinis is beneficial to plant growth under the unique stresses of microgravity, a spaceflight experiment is necessary. Arabidopsis and S. sanguinis will be grown on the ISS and Earth and fixed with RNAlater to halt growth and preserve the RNA. RNA expression for plant and bacterial genes related to bacterial detection, growth, and virulence factors will be quantified with qPCR to reveal the details of the plant-bacteria interaction. Root and shoot length, germination, and bacterial growth will also be measured. All data will undergo statistical analysis to test the hypothesis that S. sanguinis will benefit Arabidopsis resilience in spaceflight by reducing microgravity-induced stress. With this knowledge, we become one step closer to growing crops that thrive in microgravity and allowing humanity to explore new frontiers.

8. Kent, OH – Kent State University

Strategic Needs in STEM Education and the Case for SSEP
The KSU CAE Strategic Plan Mission statement is “To embrace a unique synergy of aeronautics, engineering and technologies, positively changing the trajectory of the regional, national and global community by: (1) providing a dynamic educational experience that fosters experiential learning; (2) cultivating innovative research that transforms ideas into reality; and (3) producing forward-thinking professionals, empowered through their diverse and collective perspectives, dedicated to overcoming limits and improving lives.” Our undergraduate students involvement and participation in SSEP Mission 18 to ISS is in alignment with our mission statement providing a unique and real life experience that will challenge them while developing critical thinking; learning about microgravity sciences and design of experiments; writing and presentation skills; teamwork and leadership skills.

Throughout the duration of the program, students will be provided with lessons in microgravity and design of experiments, while getting hands on experience in the development of proposals by formulating the experiment, writing, presenting, and receiving feedback. Students will experience real life technical challenges and limitations with the opportunity to use their creativity and innovation to find solutions. Their participation in this program will enable our next generation of researchers, scientists, and engineers to develop and/or enhance key technical and leadership skills required to address the technical challenges and opportunities of our nation.

Partner Institutions
Kent State University

SSEP Mission Participation
Mission 18 to ISS

Colleges/Campuses Engaging Students in Microgravity Experiment Design: Kent State University

Number of Students Engaged in Experiment Design: 30 (grades 13-16)
Number of Flight Experiment Proposals: 10

SSEP Community Program Co-Directors
Marla Perez-Davis
mperezda@kent.edu

Mission 18 Flight Experiment

The Effects of Microgravity On Pisum Sativum Roots
Grades 13 and 15, Kent State University
Co-Principal Investigators: Jonathan King, Mackenzie Guy
Teacher Facilitator: Syed Arbab Mohd Shihab

Kent State University’s co-principal investigators for SSEP Mission 18, Mackenzie Guy and Jonathan King from the College of Aeronautics and Engineering, immersed in their experiment development in the Design Lab located in the Aeronautics and Engineering Building.

Proposal Summary:
The investigation will explore the hydroponic-based microgreen growth of Pisum Sativum (green pea) roots and how this growth is affected by a microgravity environment. This experiment will focus on how successful the Pisum Sativum is in thriving in a microgravity environment and if root growth can be controlled by providing a supplementary medium for the microgreens to take root into. While microgreen growth in microgravity has been researched previously, root growth manipulation has less published research. If the investigation is successful, it will reinforce the reliability of hydroponic microgreen growth in microgravity environments and will establish a way to support the root systems of plants grown hydroponically in microgravity and consequently improve the efficiency of microgreen growth. The proposed experiment is crucial to the advancement of space exploration, because while living conditions become increasingly adverse as humanity ventures further from Earth, the need for easy-to-replicate systems that support life grows immensely. These innovations are greatly beneficial, as they would provide a renewable source of nutrients for astronauts in space, reducing the need for transport of resources from the Earth’s surface. By reducing the need for the transport of resources, less pollution will occur from launch pollutants like fumes, and astronauts will be able to survive for longer outside of Earth’s atmosphere. Additionally, it will act as a baseline for more complex experiments related to hydroponic root management, allowing for advanced research to build from the concepts demonstrated in the proposed experiment.

9. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – Community College of Allegheny County

Strategic Needs in STEM Education and the Case for SSEP
The Pittsburgh region has seen significant growth in aerospace and defense related manufacturing. A wide variety of defense contractors have established manufacturing facilities in Pittsburgh, and startups like Astrobotic are producing devices like the Peregrine Lunar Lander which is scheduled to launch in the fourth quarter of 2022. While the link between STEM and aerospace is self-evident, local employers have struggled to hire talent locally.

While this deficit involves programmers, engineers and individuals who have completed a baccalaureate degree, it is especially acute among the skilled trades. Aerospace companies need skilled welders, technicians, machinists, and fabricators – individuals who can understand the desires of engineers, and physically construct them. This is a difficult role to fill – not only are individuals in these roles expected to be familiar with their craft, but they must also appreciate the advanced metrology, materials science and domain knowledge that is critical to making objects that can survive in space.

This need is so acute that in Spring 2021, Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen visited CCAC’s West Hills Center, and spoke with students enrolled in the mechatronics program and other skilled trades apprenticeships – encouraging them to consider working for NASA or other space-related companies. The United States Navy is establishing the Pittsburgh Flag project to attract and retain defense manufacturing technology, and CCAC finds itself tasked with ensuring that our graduates are poised to contribute to this workforce.

Understanding space has a clear and tangible link to the curriculum of a community college. While graduates may view microgravity as being squarely within the realm of science fiction, many students will go on to produce modules, subsystems and devices that could very well end up in orbit, especially as the commercialization of space intensifies. CCAC is a member organization of the Keystone Space Collaborative, and sent a cohort of students to the inaugural space conference held at the Carnegie Science Center in 2022.

The college’s participation in SSEP is intended to validate a working hypothesis – that students in a variety of courses can receive education on microgravity, and generate unique and novel experimental ideas related to their domain of study. While biology students might propose an experiment grounded in science, exploring a topic like cell division, mechatronics students may wish to examine how an unshielded microcontroller without parity memory operates in the harsh environment of space. Engineering technologies students could investigate the repeatability of backlash and wear patterns in common servo drives when gravity is much less consequential. This is not to say that the college has already determined these experiment topics – only to suggest that we believe that students from a variety of disciplines will be able to contribute meaningfully to the SSEP competition and increase the diversity in experimental design.

CCAC also intends to involve students in the process of modifying and preparing selected experiments for deployment in the Nanoracks. While many students may conceive of ideas that are well-suited to a spaceflight experiment at the conceptual level, many students – especially those enrolled in apprenticeship programs – have a deep interest in fabrication, modification and the real world challenges that come along with altering a design to meet practical constraints.
While we understand that students may not be able to contribute actively to this process, we believe that sharing the results and helping them understand the purpose will be incredibly useful. It is clear that not all students will go on to work for an aerospace company; however, many will end up repairing equipment that is installed in clean rooms, medical facilities or other specialized environments. Seeing how a proposal is ultimately deployed in an extreme environment will have real-world career impacts for many CCAC graduates.

Partner Institutions
Community College of Allegheny County

SSEP Mission Participation
Mission 18 to ISS

Colleges/Campuses Engaging Students in Microgravity Experiment Design: Community College of Allegheny County

Number of Students Engaged in Experiment Design: 90 (grades 13-16)
Number of Flight Experiment Proposals: 30

Mission Patch Art and Design Competition: two competitions; (grades 5-8 and grades 9-12)
Participating Institutions: Parkway West Career and Technology Center, Carlynton High School, Chartiers Valley High School, Cornell High School, Keystone Oaks High School, Montour High School, Moon Area High School, Mt. Lebanon High School, Quaker Valley High School, South Fayette High School, Sto-Rox High School, Upper St. Clair High School, West Allegheny High School
Competition Description and Flight Patches

Mission 17 to ISS

Colleges/Campuses Engaging Students in Microgravity Experiment Design: Community College of Allegheny County

Number of Students Engaged in Experiment Design: 163 (grades 13-16)
Number of Flight Experiment Proposals: 42

Mission Patch Art and Design Competition: two competitions; (grades 9-12 and grades 13-14)
Participating Institutions: Carlynton High School, Mt. Lebanon High School, Chartiers Valley High School, Quaker Valley High School, Cornell High School, South Fayette High School, Keystone Oaks High School, Sto-Rox High School, Montour High School, Upper St. Clair High School, West Allegheny High School, Moon Area High School
Competition Description and Flight Patches

SSEP Community Program Co-Directors
Justin Starr
jstarr@ccac.edu

Mission 18 Flight Experiment

Effect of Microgravity on the Enzymatic Degradation of Polyurethane by Penicillium chrysogenum
Grades 13-14, Community College of Allegheny County
Co-Principal Investigators: Maya Burns, Faith Dunn
Collaborator: Connor McDonagh
Teacher Facilitators: Patricia Donehue, Anne Duffy

Maya Burns (left) and Faith Dunn (right) testing a mold to create an agar cylinder for assessment of fungal polyurethane degradation within the mini-lab.

Proposal Summary:
Every year, around 360 million tons of the common industrial and consumer use of the plastic, polyurethane (PUR), is produced; 80% will be reduced to pollution. Landfills hold a tremendous amount of plastic waste, and pollute both land and water; some plastics are even incinerated and contribute to air pollution. The scientific community has seen an increased interest in attending to plastic pollution through several avenues, including the reduction of already existing plastic pollution that, without intervention, is likely to remain indefinitely. Several organisms have been found to be capable of reducing the plastic polyurethane into smaller, recyclable chemical compounds. This experiment will test how microgravity affects the fungus Penicillium chrysogenum’s biodegredative enzymes ability to degrade a sample of polyester-polyurethane. This information can be used to facilitate the transition to circular production/waste economies, both on Earth and in space exploration endeavors.

Mission 17 Flight Experiment

The effect(s) of microgravity on the dormant state of cancer cells
Grade 13, Community College of Allegheny County
Co-Principal Investigators: Jason Gomes, Daniel Roth
Teacher Facilitator: Francis Cartieri

Daniel Roth and Jason Gomes are hard at work with their mentor Francis Cartieri evaluating samples and testing cancer cell proliferation before preparing specimens for flight.

Proposal Summary:
Despite our increasing success in the early detection and removal of primary cancers, most cancer mortality occurs after periods of remission, during which cancer cells may “hide” from immune and therapeutic detection by entering a period of dormancy. The microenvironmental causes of this period of dormancy, which can last for days, months, or years, are unknown. Also unknown are the physical and chemical signals that trigger re-activation of cancer cell division, eventually leading to tumor formation, metastasis, and death. The few studies that do exist indicate that abnormal levels of certain factors (such as inflammatory, growth, and cell adherence signals) are associated with cancer cell dormancy and proliferation. Disturbingly, several of these factors are co-associated with exposure to microgravity. If exposure to microgravity effects cycles of cancer cell proliferation and/or dormancy, this may impose challenging limitations for future space travel and its long-term consequences. Most directly, microgravity exposure could accelerate cancer formation in spacefarers whose bodies harbor dormant cancer cells. Our team proposes to analyze the effects of a microgravity environment on cultured cancer cell lines from the model organism Xenopus laevis (African clawed frog). Specifically, relative levels of gene expression for dormancy-associated proteins will be compared between microgravity-exposed cancer cells, and cancer cells not exposed to microgravity. Additionally, cell morphology, proliferation, and intercellular behavior will be assessed in all groups. This study will directly aid in our understanding of microgravity’s impact on cancer dormancy and activation, while improving our limited understanding of the phenomenon of cancer dormancy more broadly.

10. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – University of Pittsburgh

Mission 14 – Marissa is visually inspecting the aluminum for signs of corrosion while Nik is checking under a microscope for small pits.

Strategic Needs in STEM Education and the Case for SSEP
University-level students of STEM are at a crucial stage of their learning in which they must apply theoretical concepts into practice, translating them to real-world applications, as they will soon join the workforce or enter graduate studies. The School of Pharmacy partners with health care provider organizations to support outstanding training programs in research and teaching to develop knowledge of the research process including the design, conduct and publication of results of a project. The overall goal of the School of Pharmacy’s (SOP) research programs is to advance human health through a portfolio of research that ranges from computational drug discovery to preclinical development to patient outcomes.

The UPSOP pathway to success includes a suggested curriculum for student teams and mentors, and providing opportunities for the teams to meet, exchange ideas, and provide constructive criticism to each other.

Specifically, SSEP will: provide authentic immersion in a multi-faceted research experience, with students being asked to truly be part of America’s Space Program. At least 10 teams will be designing real microgravity experiments with real world constraints imposed by the operation of a flight certified microgravity mini-laboratory, and flight operations to and from low Earth orbit; teams will be required to write real research proposals and experience a formal proposal review and selection process;  and the effort will require self-directed learning, and nurture students’ skills in critical thinking, problem solving, seamless navigation across a trans- disciplinary landscape, communication, and team work.

Oral Presentation, 9th Annual SSEP National Conferencence, June 2019
Mission 13 to ISS Flight Experiment
Transcriptomic Analysis of Escherichia coli Response to Ciprofloxacin in Microgravity
Co-Principal Investigators: Mohamed Kashkoush, David Katz, Anu Patel
Teacher Facilitator: Christian Gauthier

Partner Institutions
University of Pittsburgh, School of Pharmacy

Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium

SSEP Community Program Co-Directors
John Donehoo
donehoojp@upmc.edu

Ravi Patel
rmp40@pitt.edu

Cam Karnick
cck20@pitt.edu

SSEP Mission Participation: 2 Missions to ISS (Missions 13 through 14)

Flight Experiments and Conference Presentations

Mission 14 Flight Experiments

Effects of Microgravity on the Oxidation of 3-D Printed Aluminum with Unique Topography
Grade 15, University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering
Co-Principal Investigators: Marissa DeFallo, Nikolas Vostal
Teacher Facilitator: Dr. Sachin Velankar

Marissa is visually inspecting the aluminum for signs of corrosion while Nik is checking under a microscope for small pits.

Proposal Summary:
Aluminum alloys are used throughout the aerospace field, including aboard the International Space Station, due to its light weight and high strength properties. Aluminum corrodes when it is oxidized and forms a white powder-like substance on the surface of the material. In the presence of chlorides, such as salt, corrosion can tunnel through the aluminum and form pits which have a lower modulus and leave parts weakened. These corroded areas can lead to structural failures if they are not studied and prevented. One solution to prevent failure is by engineering surface textures to intentionally corrode sacrificial sections of a part. With recent advances in metallic 3-D printing it is easier than ever to create intricate aluminum parts with extreme precision. The importance of conducting this experiment in microgravity is because the force of gravity on earth trumps the surface tension of water at size scales exceeding a few millimeters. This will allow parts with large surface gradients to hold the salt water solution away from the main body, showing the effectiveness of different surfaces. This experiment will give insight into how aluminum corrodes in microgravity and provide useful data for creating corrosion-resistant aerospace parts in the future.

The Effect of Silver Nanoparticles on the Immune Response of Daphnia Magna in Microgravity
Undergraduate and Graduate, University of Pittsburgh, School of Pharmacy and Swanson School of Engineering
Co-Principal Investigators: Samantha Bailey, Jordan Butko, Amanda Carbone, Prerna Dodeja
Teacher Facilitator: Sravan Kumar Patel

Amanda Carbone, Prerna Dodeja and Jordan Butko working in the lab at the University of Pittsburgh.

Proposal Summary:
Since the beginning of the space program in the 1960’s, the effect of space on earthly phenomena has intrigued scientists. Particularly, the effect of microgravity on the immune system is of prime importance in terms of astronaut health. The highly controlled environment aboard the International Space Station would necessitate the use of antibacterial products, many of which often contain silver nanoparticles. Exposure of these nanoparticles has been associated with significant toxicity in the liver as well as brain. Prior experiments investigating the model organism Daphnia magna in space indicates its ability to adapt to living in microgravity. Moreover, the organism can produce a quantifiable immune response. Building upon these principles, this proposal aims to investigate the specific effects of silver nanoparticles on the immune response of Daphnia magna.

 

Mission 13 Flight Experiment

Transcriptomic Analysis of Escherichia coli Response to Ciprofloxacin in Microgravity
Grade 16, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy
Co-Principal Investigators: Mohamed Kashkoush, David Katz, Anu Patel
Teacher Facilitator: Christian Gauthier

Pitt Pharmacy students Anu Patel, Mohamed Kashkoush, and David Katz conducting research in the lab on antimicrobial resistance.

Proposal Summary:
Antimicrobial resistance is a growing public health issue that has a global and even a universal effect. With the concurrently increasing frequency, duration and overall ambition of space exploration, it is important to approach the treatment of infections during spaceflight with confidence and precision. A closed, high-touch environment aboard the ISS and other space vessels, combined with increased bacterial virulence and human immunosuppression during spaceflight further highlight the importance of research into antimicrobial therapies under microgravity conditions. A troubling example of this infectious risk is highlighted from a 96-day spaceflight where a Russian cosmonaut became ill with a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus infection after another cosmonaut was treated with ampicillin. Prior experiments have shown that bacteria undergo transcriptomic changes that result in accelerated growth and increased resistance when challenged with antibiotics in space. Building upon these principles, this proposal aims to determine the transcriptomic changes that occur in Escherichia coli with exposure to ciprofloxacin in microgravity. By analyzing the bacterial transcriptome, this project aims to further understand the mechanisms of microgravity-associated antimicrobial resistance. Specifically, this experiment will explore whether or not survival responses previously shown during spaceflight are antibiotic-specific or broadly attributable to other antibiotics. This will provide data towards constructing evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of infectious disease during spaceflight, as well as provide insight into mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance for drug development on Earth. In doing so, we can make space and Earth safer for all.

 

Title: Transcriptomic Analysis of Escherichia coli Response to Ciprofloxacin in Microgravity
Oral Presentation, 9th Annual SSEP National Conference, June 2019
University of Pittsburgh
Grade level: 16

Type of Experiment: Flight Experiment, Mission 13 to ISS

Co-Principal Investigators: Mohamed Kashkoush, David Katz, Anu Patel

Teacher Facilitator: Christian Gauthier

Abstract: We will expose Escherichia coli to sub-inhibitory concentrations of ciprofloxacin in microgravity, and upon return to Earth, quantify any transcriptomic changes that occurred. Through this analysis, we will explore if survival responses assessed in previous spaceflight studies are antibiotic-specific or generalizable between different classes of antibiotics. The ultimate goal is to work towards constructing evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of infections in astronauts as well as to provide insight into the mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance for drug development.

11. Columbia, SC – Midlands Technical College

Strategic Needs in STEM Education and the Case for SSEP
The South Carolina economy has seen a tectonic shift over the last 30-40 years, transitioning from the textile mills of the 19th and 20th centuries to far more advanced industry sectors, including the recruitment of global-tier automotive, aerospace, and biotechnology corporations. With these employers come tremendous employment and business development opportunities in advanced manufacturing, materials science, agribusiness, and biotechnology to support their operations and those of their suppliers in all three tiers. In the aerospace sector alone, the SC Department of Commerce reports that the 400 private aerospace firms and 4 military bases in the state make South Carolina the #3 exporter of aircraft, spacecraft, and parts in the country, representing 9.1% of the national market share. The industry also provides 136,000 jobs to residents of the state with an average salary exceeding $80,000/year, and creates approximately 2.7 jobs per sector job, for a total economic impact exceeding $28 billion per year (SC Aerospace 2020 EIS).

These employers and industry sectors require an advanced, well-trained workforce; however, South Carolina’s technology and science workforce has been ranked 39th in the nation (Milken Institute, 2018). The “Vision 2025: Advancing South Carolina’s Capacity and Expertise in Science and Technology” report stated that South Carolina needed to “expand the human resource infrastructure in STEM by 25%” to grow SC’s health, science, and technology workforce to facilitate the transition of the state’s economy into more technology-driven fields. Additionally, Vision 2025 recommended the SC STEM workforce be at parity with the state’s demographic profile, with 51% female, 27% African-American, and 5% Hispanic representation (Statistical Atlas). In response, the South Carolina Coalition for Math and Science, in their Grand Challenges project, has charged STEM practitioners, leaders, and their stakeholders to, among other efforts:

• Engage stakeholders in advocating for quality STEM education.
• Build awareness of the value of STEM education and career opportunities in the community.
• Expand educators’ STEM content knowledge and career awareness through professional learning experiences that engage SC’s STEM business/industry experts.
• Build leadership capacity of STEM educators.
• Recruit and retain STEM educators through financial and other incentives.

At the institutional level, MTC’s Mission Statement can be summarized as charging the College to provide a quality education to prepare students for jobs that stimulate the economy and generate a world-class workforce. Further, the College’s current Strategic Plan calls for programs to focus on, among other initiatives, increasing the value of graduates with Midlands stakeholders, enriching the student learning experience, and creating an inclusive environment that encourages student participation and involvement.

The SSEP-M18 project, as planned for the MTC campus community, stands to serve as a high-impact initiative for the School of STEM to engage and contribute across the strategic spectrum, from the institutional and community stakeholder scale to the state-wide STEM education and economic development goals. Projects like SSEP-M18 will provide an opportunity for students at MTC to:

• Get excited about learning in a self-guided project-based environment,
• Make an active-learning connection between their academic content to real-world research and design efforts,
• Engage in a real-world competitive research process,
• Increase their connection and on-campus engagement,
• Learn to serve as ambassadors for STEM and MTC in their communities and on the national stage, and
• Increase community interest and awareness of the education and career opportunities available in the aerospace industry and STEM fields writ large.

Partner Institutions
Midlands Technical College

SSEP Mission Participation
Mission 18 to ISS

Colleges/Campuses Engaging Students in Microgravity Experiment Design: Midlands Technical College

Number of Students Engaged in Experiment Design: 105 (grades 13-16)
Number of Flight Experiment Proposals: 35

Mission Patch Art and Design Competition: two competitions; (grades K-12 and grades 13-16)
Participating Institutions: Midlands Technical College
Competition Description and Flight Patches

SSEP Community Program Co-Directors
Benjamin Gaston
gastonb@midlandstech.edu

Mission 18 Flight Experiment

Gravitational Effects on Calcium Oxalate (CaOx) Regulation in Edible Greens
Grades 13-14, Midlands Technical College
Co-Principal Investigators: Craig Elliot, Robert Ferguson, Emmi Rosario, Will Turner
Teacher Facilitator: Jordi Fernandez

The Midlands Tech experimental flight team and faculty advisors are preparing their materials to be autoclaved for the next round of tests.

Proposal Summary:
This investigation concerns the production of Calcium Oxalate (CaOx) in edible greens. The ability to cultivate greens in space is an important idea that could lead to self-sufficiency in terms of providing some extra food while in space. Plants, including edible greens, produce CaOx primarily for calcium regulation. However, these crystals have been known to aid in the production of kidney stones, which is something that astronauts struggle within greater numbers than the average person on Earth. The experiment hopes to find whether microgravity will affect the edible greens’ ability to produce CaOx. Specifically, whether the micro gravity will cause the plants to produce more and larger calcium oxalate crystals. As well as further research that has been assessed of CaOx in vitro during a micro gravity environment.

12. Houston, TX – San Jacinto College

Strategic Needs in STEM Education and the Case for SSEP
SJC is in a region that is home to a NASA Space Center, supporting aerospace industries, a large portion of our nation’s petrochemical and refining industries, and a world renown medical center, all of which are forecasting growth in the next decade. With SJC goals including student success, workforce and economic development, and outreach partnerships, SJC is positioned to meet the educational needs of our students and preparing a new generation of STEM professionals with the competencies, knowledge and experience for career advancement that also supports continuous industry innovation for our regional industries.

SJC’s commitment to developing STEM professionals is evident in the partnerships and investments made to build a new Engineering and Engineering Technology Building with a Makerspace, our LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical, Energy, and Technology that provides training to new and current petrochemical professionals in our region, and our Aerospace EDGE center, with a focus on advanced manufacturing and automation skills.

SJC also recognizes that as an educational hub, our institution must provide a rigorous teaching and learning environment that supports students from entry to completion through an effective array of services and personalized academic and career planning. However, if we are to encourage students to consider and successfully pursue a career in STEM, we need to offer hands-on opportunities to students as soon as possible so they can quickly explore the career options they might not have known even existed. Once students determine their career path, we have the clearly defined pathways to the credentials needed to get them to the next stage of their careers.

The project-based nature of the SSEP experience will allow our students to see that area industries need a vast array of STEM professionals that can contribute to a single goal within a team setting. Students will also see the interdependence of the different sciences and surrounding industries, such as aerospace providing the microgravity environment needed for biological/engineering-based research using materials or manufacturing processes from other industries. This exposure to various professions and different processes will help students make informed decisions when selecting a career path.

The research nature of the SSEP experience also fits into the learning objectives of our STEM courses, honors courses, and undergraduate research/ISM mentoring. Additionally, writing the proposal is a step towards meeting current industry demand to improve technical writing skills across all STEM disciplines. Students will see the importance of their writing and presentation skills within a STEM setting but beyond the classroom.

The SSEP experience will open discussions of intellectual property and commercialization of products, systems, and services, as well as discussions about the policies and procedures our nation is adopting with regards to space research and space travel. These discussions will give our students the opportunity to critically think about how their contribution fits into the narrative of research and innovation.

Partner Institutions
San Jacinto College, South Campus

San Jacinto Foundation
Communities in Schools Southeast Harris and Brazoria County

Mission 18 to ISS

Colleges/Campuses Engaging Students in Microgravity Experiment Design: San Jacinto College, Clear Horizons Early College High School

Number of Students Engaged in Experiment Design: 100 (grades 11-16)
Number of Flight Experiment Proposals: 20

Mission Patch Art and Design Competition: two competitions; (grades K-8 and grades 9-16)
Participating Institutions: Pasadena Early College High School, Dobie Early College High School, South Houston Early College High School, Fisher Elementary School, South Houston Elementary School
Competition Description and Flight Patches

SSEP Community Program Co-Directors
Connie Gomez
Connie.Gomez@sjcd.edu

Mission 18 Flight Experiment

Comparison of Arabidopsis thaliana Germination and Cell Wall Growth in Microgravity versus Standard Conditions
Grades 10-13, San Jacinto College – South Campus
Co-Principal Investigators: Maheen Bukhari, Marcus Pitre, Amna Qureshi
Teacher Facilitator: Carrie Owens

Student team prepares trial run to optimize germination conditions within the FME mini-lab.

Proposal Summary:
For our experiment, we will be using the plant species Arabidopsis thaliana to measure the difference of growth in the cell wall in microgravity compared to cell wall growth on Earth. Our experiment will provide crucial intel to determine if cell wall growth is better in space or more beneficial on Earth. The cell wall is an important aspect of any plant because it plays the “skeletal” role of a plant that supports plant growth and acts as the first line of defense when a plant encounters several types of pathogens that could prevent the healthy growth of the plant. We hope to determine if the variable of microgravity will affect this growth in any way, and how this may help us in the future for food growth in space.

13. McKinney, Texas – Collin College

Strategic Needs in STEM Education and the Case for SSEP
Over the past several years, Collin County, Texas has seen significant growth and expansion of technology, medical, aerospace, and engineering companies within the North Texas region, including NASA contractors such as Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman. This has brought numerous companies that are seeking out highly trained STEM-educated leaders, workers, and thinkers into the local community. To meet this need, Collin College has expanded its degree offerings and programs to students interested in these career fields and workforce programs.

In addition to our new bachelor’s degree programs, numerous transfer certificate programs have also increased with Field of Study certificates in Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. In addition, Collin College provides many workforce degree and certificate programs that include Electronic Engineering Technology, Robotics and Automation Technology, and Biotechnology. Students entering these programs are highly intelligent, prepared and ready to compete for prime jobs in an ever-expanding job market. Collin’s students are eager for learning experiences that go beyond the walls of the College.

Students need the opportunity to think, research, design, and participate in programs that emphasize independent thinking and reasoning. The SSEP will enable Collin College students to experience and participate in authentic scientific experimentation while developing team- building skills. This opportunity is a real-world experience that breaks from the mold of traditional teaching and creates excitement and challenges for learners to expand their perspectives. Students, professors, and the community will all gain from participating in this experience.

Collin’s involvement in SSEP aligns well with the College’s 2020-2025 Strategic Plan by promoting engagement with external stakeholders. Participating in the SSEP will meet this priority and lead to more student engagement and success beyond the college campus. Participation in SSEP also aligns well with Collin College’s Master Plan Priority of assessing current and proposed extracurricular programs to identify and prioritize opportunities for improved student recruitment, engagement, and success. As interest in SSEP increases, so will its college-sponsored organization The Center for Advanced Studies in Mathematics and Natural Sciences (CASMNS). CASMNS is a unique and specialized program at Collin College for highly motivated and talented students majoring in mathematics, engineering, or natural sciences. This program offers opportunities for students majoring in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geology, Mathematics, Engineering, and Physics to participate in a variety of undergraduate research activities. CASMNS faculty will be involved to sponsor, assist, and mentor student teams participating in SSEP, which will lead to increased interest and participation within the student organization itself.

Not only does participation in SSEP align well with Collin College’s Strategic and Master Plans, but it also aligns with the College’s commitment to the six Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) core objectives: Critical thinking skills, communication skills, empirical/quantitative skills, teamwork skills, personal responsibility, and social responsibility. These objectives are the bedrock of Collin’s curriculum and student learning objectives and will
all be used extensively by the students working on these project proposals and research.

Collin students’ involvement in SSEP is intended to validate the working hypothesis – Students in a variety of courses will receive education on microgravity, and generate unique and novel experimental ideas related to their domain of study. One of the most common complaints from students in their course work is a desire to see more application of the scientific concepts taught in the classroom. Introducing this opportunity to students will ignite their imaginations and spark interest from a variety of disciplines, enabling them to make meaningful contributions to the SSEP competition and increase the diversity in experimental design.

Partner Institutions
Collin College

SSEP Mission Participation
Mission 17 to ISS

Colleges/Campuses Engaging Students in Microgravity Experiment Design: Collin College

Number of Students Engaged in Experiment Design: 30 (grades 13-16)
Number of Flight Experiment Proposals: 10

Mission Patch Art and Design Competition: two competitions; (grades 9-12 and grades 13-16)
Participating Institutions: Collin College
Competition Description and Flight Patches

SSEP Community Program Co-Directors
Dawn Richardson, PhD
drichardson@collin.edu

Kristen Streater, PhD
kstreater@collin.edu

Mission 17 Flight Experiment

Does microgravity affect the formation of symbiotic relationships between soy and Rhizobium?
Grades 13-16, Collin College, Collin County Community College District
Co-Principal Investigators: Henry Elmendorf, Stefano Sacripanti
Teacher Facilitator: Tamara Basham

Henry Elmendorf (left) and Stefano Sacripanti (right) prepare a trial run of their experiment to test whether Rhizobium nitrogen-fixing bacteria can successfully inoculate soybeans in microgravity.

Proposal Summary:
The topic of discussion in this proposal is to determine whether microgravity inhibits the formation of symbiotic relationships between soybeans and rhizobium. In the future when astronauts are on missions that take them further out into the solar system, they cannot rely on Earth for food and supplies and will need to find ways to gain a sustainable food source. Soybeans were chosen as the crop in this experiment due to their nutritional value and vitamin content. In addition, they could be used in the creation of bioplastics and other industrial materials, which could be used in manufacturing replacement parts if the need arises while on mission. In a DuPont experiment conducted in 2002, soybeans were proven to be able to sprout in microgravity. However, soybeans lack the capability to undergo nitrogen fixation on their own and require Rhizobium to achieve this in a process called inoculation. That process improves the yield of soybeans by 66 percent. This experiment will test to see if the formation of the symbiotic relationship is possible between soy and Rhizobium in microgravity. Inoculation will be determined by measuring if nitrogen fixating nodules are present after germination, compared with soybeans that will be inoculated on Earth. It is expected that no significant differences will be observed.

B. Archival SSEP Mission Participation (Mission 13 and Earlier)

1. Toronto, Ontario, Canada – Ryerson University

Strategic Needs in STEM Education and the Case for SSEP
Ryerson University participation in SSEP Mission 8 to ISS will reach out to more than 150 students (90 second and third year science undergraduates and 60 senior high school students) to engage in microgravity experimental design and proposal writing. Leveraging the Office of Science Outreach and Enrichment (OSOE) at Ryerson University, this student dynamic seeks to have teams of 5 students, where undergraduate students (3) will mentor marginalized secondary students (2) from local inner city high schools, who would not normally get the opportunity to participate in advanced STEM-based learning.

Ryerson University prides itself in offering unique conditions for experiential science learning, and engaging in the SSEP it arguably the most engaging opportunity towards that goal. SSEP will enable the students to experience and participate in authentic scientific experimentation while developing teamwork and mentorship skills. This opportunity is a real world experience that breaks from the model of traditional teaching and creates excitement for all students.

Through the OSOE, Ryerson reaches out to some of the most underprivileged neighbourhoods in the city, and providing these students with an authentic and unique experimentation opportunity will go a long way in encouraging these students to pursue post secondary school education and potentially bringing them towards STEM fields of study.

A focus on transferable skills is also in Ryerson’s mandate. As such, this is also an excellent opportunity for our participants in the science mentorship program (RySciMatch – vide infra) to build their own leadership and mentorship skills, while reaching out to underrepresented groups. To this end, undergraduate students from chemistry, physics, biology, math and computer science, can give back to their local community and strengthen Ryerson’s reputation as a community builder.

Partner Institutions
Ryerson University

Ministry of Economic Development – Ontario
National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Magellan Aerospace, SSEP National Partner

SSEP Mission Participation
Mission 8 to ISS

Colleges/Campuses Engaging Students in Microgravity Experiment Design: Ryerson University

Number of Students Engaged in Experiment Design: 162 (grades 9-14)
Number of Flight Experiment Proposals: 21

Mission Patch Art and Design Competition: one competition; (grades 10-14)
Participating Institutions: Ryerson University, St. Josephs College School, Dr. Norman Bethune Collegiate Institute, St. Marcellinus Secondary School, Pickering High School, Brampton Centennial Secondary School, Neil McNeil High School, Agincourt Collegiate Institute, Leaside High School, James Cardinal McGuigan Catholic High School, Danforth Collegiate & Technical Institute, St. Joseph’s Morrow Park Catholic Secondary School, William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute, David and Mary Thomson Collegiate Institute, Father Michael McGivney Catholic Academy, Turner Fenton Secondary School
Competition Description and Flight Patches

SSEP Community Program Co-Directors
Nathan Battersby
nathan.battersby@ryerson.ca

Bryan Koivisto
bryan.koivisto@ryerson.ca

Emily Agard
eagard@ryerson.ca

Mission 8 Flight Experiment

Growth of Pleurotus ostreatus in Microgravity
Grade 11 and 2nd year Undergraduate, Ryerson University, Toronto District School Board
Co-Principal Investigators: Komalpreet Kahlon, Francis Buguis, Gemma Mancuso, Kugenthini Tharmakulasekaram, Modlin Orange
Advisors: Dr. Joseph McPhee, Murad Jabarov
Teacher Facilitators: Dr. Bryan Koivisto, Nathan Battersby

Proposal Summary:
The purpose of this proposal is to present an experiment on the growth of the fungi Pleurotus ostreatus, commonly known as the pearl oyster mushroom, in microgravity. The question we are proposing is: Will microgravity affect the growth of Pleurotus ostreatus? The Pleurotus ostreatus is an edible species of mushroom that is harvested three to four weeks after initial spawning. It is an ideal species for this experiment because it can grow in a wide range of temperatures (ranging from 10ºC to 35ºC) while achieving optimal growth at 25ºC. This saprotrophic fungi, Pleurotus ostreatus has the capacity to use recyclable material from the space shuttle such as cardboard and office paper, in addition to left-over vegetation such as rice straw, as substrate by extracting nutrients from the lignocellulosic waste. When under microgravity, the spores will be mixed with the bedding of food and water source for a duration of nine days for cultivation. Any growth thereafter will be terminated by mixing puromycin solution with the substrate and fungi. N-acetylglucosamine will be quantified to determine the amount of growth of the fungi. Pleurotus ostreatus was chosen because the simplicity of the experiment shows great potential for growth in microgravity and the success of such an experiment may offer a great solution to growing edible food while using waste materials that are readily available.

Title: Will Microgravity Affect the Growth of Pleurotus ostreatus?
Oral Presentation, 5th Annual SSEP National Conference, July 2015
Ryerson University
Grade levels: 11 and 2nd year Undergraduate

Type of Experiment: Flight Experiment, Mission 8

Co-Principal Investigators: Komalpreet Kahlon, Francis Buguis, Gemma Mancuso, Modlin Orange, Kugenthini Tharmakulasekaram
Collaborator: Murad Jabarov
Teacher Facilitator: Bryan Koivisto, Nathan Battersby

Abstract: This experiment aims to explore the effect of microgravity on the growth of the saprotrophic fungus Pleurotus ostreatus, more commonly known as the pearl oyster mushroom. This fungus has been subject to much research. This highly nutritious fungus is grown in many countries and is consumed as a major source of nutrients. Differences in growth will be determined by studying the mycelial content in both samples. This research could be a step towards the production of food in space.

2. Bridgeport, Connecticut – University of Bridgeport

Strategic Needs in STEM Education and the Case for SSEP
The SSEP program is designed to expose students to STEM research fields while motivating and encouraging them to adopt best research practices with real-world application. Implementation of SSEP at UB will expand the involvement of undergraduate students including underrepresented groups in STEM research activities that encourage innovative thinking. Students will learn how to implement a research proposal timeline that includes research planning, proposal writing, and proposal submission. Students will also develop an appreciation for essential criteria that define a meritorious research proposal. Furthermore, SSEP promotes an interdisciplinary “Team Science” approach that is increasingly preferred over solo research in the production of knowledge and the acceleration of scientific breakthrough. Under guidance from UB mentors, SSEP student research teams will understand that leadership, goals, products, and rewards are shared. Team members will learn to develop a shared vision. Teams will also learn communication skills, how to build trust, and deal with conflict in a proactive manner. It is also extremely important to teach our students the process of creating and evaluating knowledge, it is equally important to convey that research is an intellectual process that creates and publishes relevant new knowledge – a process that is a token of academic research quality.

While K-12 students are not engaged in experimental design and proposal writing, their involvement in the Mission Patch Competition will enhance their awareness and exposure to STEM activities. Towards this end, during the design competition, students will be instructed on the purpose and objective of an SSEP flight Mission. Furthermore, mission patch winners will be honored at the Discovery Museum during the Monday of Engineers Week.

Partner Institutions
University of Bridgeport

NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium

SSEP Mission Participation
Mission 12 to ISS

Colleges/Campuses Engaging Students in Microgravity Experiment Design: University of Bridgeport

Number of Students Engaged in Experiment Design: 35 (grades 13, 14, 16)
Number of Flight Experiment Proposals: 10

Mission Patch Art and Design Competition: pre-college outreach, two competitions; (grades 4-8), (grades 9-12)
Participating Institutions: Discovery Interdistrict Magnet School, Theodore Roosevelt School, Bridgeport Military Academy, Geraldine Claytor Magnet Academy, The Fairchild Wheeler Magnet Campus
Competition Description and Flight Patches

SSEP Community Program Co-Directors
Ruba Deeb
rubadeeb@bridgeport.edu

Jessica Nelson
jesnelso@bridgeport.edu

Jani Pallis
jpallis@bridgeport.edu

Nancy DeJarnette
Ndejarne@bridgeport.edu

Mission 12 Flight Experiment

The Effect of Microgravity on Nanoparticle-Cellular Interaction
Grades 15-16, University of Bridgeport
Co-Principal Investigators: Feissal Djoule, Emily Juliano
Teacher Facilitator: Dr. Issac Macwan

Biology undergraduate students Emily Juliano and Feissal Djoule working on their project with mentor Dr. Isaac Macwan from the Department of Biomedical Engineering at UB.

Proposal Summary:
A cell contains numerous proteins on its surface and in the cytoplasm that carry out a variety of functions. Maleimide – functionalized Graphene quantum dots (m-GQDs) have the ability to attach or “tag” both cell surface and intracellular proteins in the gravitational setting. Such quantum dots have photoluminescent properties, which can be utilized for tagging the cysteine residue on the proteins thereby using them towards bio-imaging applications. This experiment proposes whether m-GQDs will have a stable binding onto the cellular surface and intracellular proteins found in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) mammalian cells under the influence of microgravity. If this is found to be successful, it can provide useful information for studying the effects of microgravity on a physiological system based on the way proteins behave compared to a gravitational setting. The basic principle of this procedure can be further utilized to study many other cellular processes under the influence of microgravity by simply tracking these “tagged” cellular proteins under a fluorescence microscope.

3. Dover, Delaware

Strategic Needs in STEM Education and the Case for SSEP
In response to the nation’s need for more qualified STEM researchers and STEM educators, as identified in the February 2012 Coordinating Federal Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Investments: Progress Report, DSU proposes to spark the scientific interest of its community, particularly students from underrepresented groups, by engaging them in the SSEP program to increase their knowledge of STEM, bolster their confidence to teach STEM subjects, and excite them about learning.

SSEP will enable the students to experience and participate in authentic scientific experimentation while developing team-building skills. This opportunity is a real world experience that breaks from the model of traditional teaching and creates excitement for students.

The experimental design phase of SSEP will help increase students’ knowledge of STEM, and the processes by which real research is conducted. They will learn how to conduct hands-on experiments in microgravity. The proposal and competition phase of SSEP will provide valuable experience for students to apply for grants when they become researchers, teachers, or end up in some other profession where grant money plays a role. They will learn about cooperation and competition for resources. The community engagement phase of SSEP will bolster students’ confidence to teach K-12 STEM after graduation. They will be working with their peers at the program level, and seeing the real-time rewards of the program at the national level.

In September 2010, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology released Prepare and Inspire: K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education for America’s Future. The Council found that, “schools often lack teachers who know how to teach science and mathematics effectively… Teachers are the single most important factor in the K-12 education system, and they are crucial to the strategy of preparing and inspiring students in STEM.” The education students’ participation in SSEP was designed with that indictment in mind; that the way to increase the number of qualified STEM educators is to give them the tools to teach STEM effectively. In Building a Better Science Teacher published by Pat Wingert in Scientific American on August 13, 2012, Wingert laments that as many as 75% of STEM teachers are not literate in the subjects they teach, and comes to the conclusion that experience and degrees do not matter in the classroom nearly as much as a mastery of science and math. Participating in SSEP gives pre-service teachers the scientific literacy they need to effectively teach STEM. According to K-12 STEM Education Overview, a report published by Hanover Research in October 2011, “Professional development for STEM teachers should persist over an extended period of time. Surveys of teachers suggest that teachers were most interested in STEM-focused professional development that emphasized career awareness, inquiry based activities, and interdisciplinary activities. Visits and tours or workshop activities were the most preferred modes of delivery.” SSEP takes place over a 3+ month period, and includes the hands-on components mentioned in the teachers’ survey as the preferred modes of delivery.

Furthermore, states are now in the process of adopting the Next Generation Science Standards, which embrace classroom experiences where content is embedded in process across the STEM landscape, and SSEP was designed to adhere to the Next Generation Science Standards.

Partner Institutions

Delaware State University

CASIS, SSEP National Partner

SSEP Mission Participation
Mission 8 to ISS

Colleges/Campuses Engaging Students in Microgravity Experiment Design: Delaware State University

Number of Students Engaged in Experiment Design: 35 (grades 13-16)
Number of Flight Experiment Proposals: 9

Mission Patch Art and Design Competition: two competitions; (grades 9-12), (grades 13-16)
Participating Institutions: Dover High School, Delaware State University
Competition Description and Flight Patches

SSEP Community Program Director
Matt Bobrowsky
mbobrowsky@desu.edu

Mission 8 Flight Experiment

Will Seeds Germinate within a Microgravity Environment and in which Direction will They Germinate?
Grade 15, Delaware State University
Co-Principal Investigators: Jinghao Qiao, Xiaojiao Song
Teacher Facilitator: Dr. Matthew Bobrowsky

Proposal Summary:
As we know, the seeds will germinate upwards on the earth. The seeds actually use gravity to tell them which way is up. They will grow upwards even in complete darkness. But how about in the microgravity environment? Do seeds germinate in a particular direction? If yes, in which direction will they grow? In this experiment, we use type 3 FME. In the middle of the tube, water is placed, which makes the seeds germinate. At the bottom of the tube, dry soil with plant seeds and air are needed. And at the top of the tube, we use 70% ethanol to stop the growth of seeds before being taken to the earth. In this way, the results we get only depend on the growth situation in space. We hope this experiment can help us learn more about the seeds germination.

4. Washington, DC – DC Space Grant University Community

Strategic Needs in STEM Education and the Case for SSEP
In response to the nation’s need for more qualified K-12 STEM educators, as identified in the February 2012 Coordinating Federal Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Investments: Progress Report, the DC Space Grant Consortium (DCSGC) proposed to NASA an innovative suite of programs designed to immerse junior and senior education majors at all accredited Washington, DC, area universities offering undergraduate degrees in education, particularly students from underrepresented groups, in STEM-related activities. Proposed activities would support the students’ efforts to seek an education degree, increase their knowledge of STEM, and bolster their confidence to teach K-12 STEM after graduation. The proposal was selected by NASA for full funding, and one component of that suite of programs was SSEP.

SSEP will enable the students to experience and participate in authentic scientific experimentation while developing team-building skills. This opportunity is a real world experience that breaks from the model of traditional teaching and creates excitement for students.

The experimental design phase of SSEP will help increase students’ knowledge of STEM, and the processes by which real research is conducted. They will learn how to conduct hands-on experiments in microgravity. The proposal and competition phase of SSEP will provide valuable experience for students to apply for grants when they become teachers. They will learn about cooperation and competition for resources. The community engagement phase of SSEP will bolster students’ confidence to teach K-12 STEM after graduation. They will be working with their peers at the program level, and seeing the real-time rewards of the program at the national level.

Partner Institutions
District of Columbia Space Grant Consortium (DCSGC), on behalf of the NASA K-12 STEM Educator Program

American University
Catholic University
Howard University
George Washington University
Georgetown University
University of Maryland
Montgomery College

SSEP Mission Participation
Mission 6 to ISS

Colleges/Campuses Engaging Students in Microgravity Experiment Design: American University, Catholic University, Howard University, George Washington University, Georgetown University, University of Maryland Montgomery College

Number of Students Engaged in Experiment Design: 27 (grades 13-16)
Number of Flight Experiment Proposals: 7

SSEP Community Program Co-Directors
Eric Day
day@spacegrant.org

Megan Kemble
mkemble@american.edu

Mission 6 Flight Experiment

The Effects of Microgravity on the Development of Chrysanthemum morifolium Seeds
Sophomores and Juniors, The George Washington University and Georgetown University
Co-Principal Investigators: Thomas Burchfield, Maryellen Campbell, Jun Xi Ni, and Shayda Shahbazi
Teacher Facilitator: Sarah Miller, Professor of the Practice at Georgetown University

Students prepare to load chrysanthemum seeds and soil samples into mini-lab for NanoRacks.

Proposal Summary:
The air we breathe plays an integral role in human health. Indoor air pollution can cause detrimental health effects such as sick-building syndrome and cancer. These health problems become problematic when considering the enclosed nature of space vehicles. Research has found that Chrysanthemum morifolium plants are able to remove harmful toxins from the air. The goal of this experiment is to expand upon this research and determine if these plants could be used to purify the air on [crewed] space vehicles. In order to ensure that Chrysanthemum morifolium plants can be used for extended periods of time, it would be beneficial for the plants to successfully reproduce to guarantee their air purifying effects during long-term space exploration. Therefore, this experiment will determine the ability of Chrysanthemum morifolium seeds to germinate in a microgravity environment. Seeds, potting mix, and distilled water will be used to initiate the germination process in space. After returning to Earth, the seeds will be planted alongside a control group and the growth rates of the two groups will be compared. Finally, seeds will be cultivated from each group and it will be determined if seeds from a plant in the experimental group can germinate and grow into a healthy plant. The results of this proposed experiment may provide a means for NASA to adequately purify space vehicles, even for long-term space flights. This strategy could improve spaceflight passenger health by reducing the prevalence of pollutant-associated health problems.

5. El Paso, Texas – El Paso Community College

Mission 1 Student Researchers working in the lab.

Strategic Needs in STEM Education and the Case for SSEP
The El Paso Community College (EPCC) and the Transmountain T-STEM Early College High School (TMECHS) collaboratively work toward expanding the number of graduates in the El Paso, Texas community with Associate’s degrees in STEM-related career fields. EPCC is a multi-campus, Hispanic Serving Institution that serves 30,000 students. The Transmountain Campus provides educational programs for northeast El Paso and serves over 4,000 credit students each semester. In 2008, a partnership was established between the two entities that provides hands-on STEM research experiences that address community needs and potential solutions. The direct focus and alignment to community needs creates awareness for the benefits of producing additional STEM graduates in a predominantly Hispanic community. The SSEP experience, started with the community participating in the STS-134 flight opportunity, allows our students to collaboratively conduct experiments that enhance and extend their local STEM research experiences. By participating in the mission to the International Space Station, the student researchers are given the chance to think outside the box; connect their learning to a cutting edge and high profile scientific and educational opportunity; and make use of resources beyond the El Paso area that would otherwise be unavailable. The opportunity is truly an “out of this world” experience for the El Paso community.

This will be a life-changing experience that we hope will serve as the inspiration for many of our students to enter the STEM fields.

Oral Presentation, 2nd Annual SSEP National Conferencence, July 2012
Mission 1 to ISS Flight Experiment
The Effect of Microgravity on the Use of Cactus Mucilage for Water Purification
Co-Principal Investigators: Naiqui Armendariz, Jesus Castor
Teacher Facilitator: Dr. Gertrud Konings-Dudin

Partner Institutions
El Paso Community College

Texas Space Grant Consortium
El Paso Independent School Districts
University of South Florida, Department of Chemical & Biomedical Engineering

SSEP Community Program Co-Directors
Dr. Gertrud Konings-Dudin
gkonings@epcc.edu

Dr. Maria Alvarez
Professor of Biology, El Paso Community College
malva279@epcc.edu

SSEP Mission Participation: 2 Missions (SSEP on STS-134 and Mission 1 to ISS)

Flight Experiments and Conference Presentations

Mission 1 Flight Experiment

The Effect of Microgravity on the Use of Cactus Mucilage for Water Purification
College Sophomores; El Paso Community College Valle Verde Campus
Co-Principal Investigators: Naiqui Armendariz and Jesus Castor

Proposal Summary:
Cactuses are incredible organisms due to their diverse beneficial features such as: the growing of penicillin on the roots, excellent source of carbohydrates and minerals, great endurance to harsh conditions, great for human hydration, and the recently found feature of using cactus mucilage to purify water. For all these reasons, cactuses are a wonderful candidate for future space farms. In fact, cactuses are already being tested for spatial use. The main focus of this experiment is to test the ability of Opuntia ficus-indica’s mucilage to purify water. We will be testing the possible use of its mucilage to clean water contaminated with chromium, in space. This characteristic of the mucilage may have helpful benefits in the future mainly for two reasons: purification of moon water and possible recycling of the water used in space missions. This experiment will be focusing on the possible purification of the water found on the moon. Chromium can be found on the moon in small proportions, but it can be very harmful if ingested [4]; that is the reason we will be testing the removal of this mineral from water. If mucilage water-purification proves to be unaffected by microgravity, the process may be viable for the purification of the moon’s water.

 

Title: The Effect of Microgravity on the Use of Cactus Mucilage for Water Purification
Oral Presentation, 2nd Annual SSEP National Conference, July 2012
El Paso Community College Transmountain Campus (EPCC)
Grade levels of Team: College Sophomore

Type of Experiment: Flight Experiment, Mission 1 to ISS

Co-Principal Investigators: Naiqui Armendariz and Jesus Castor
Teacher Facilitator: Dr. Gertrud Konings-Dudin, Assistant Professor of Biology, El Paso Community College, Transmountain Campus

Abstract: Opuntia mucilage has been shown to effectively remove chromium and other metals from contaminated water, which makes it useful as a natural flocculating agent. The flocculation process is caused by interaction of the positive metal ions with the anionic polyelectrolyte, the mucilage. Since charged particles easily agglomerate in microgravity, we expect the purification process to work in space. After removal of the mucilage, the chromium content of the remaining solution is measured with a spectrophotometer.

 

SSEP on STS-134 Flight Experiment

The Effect of Microgravity on Biofilm Formation by E. coli on Polystyrene Particles
Grade 11 and College Sophomore
El Paso Community College Transmountain Campus & Transmountain Early College High School
Co-Principal Investigators: Michelle Holguin (Grade 11), Diana Pahman (College Sophomore), and Jarisma Rodriguez (Grade 11)
Teacher Facilitator: Dr. Maria E. Alvarez, Professor of Biology

Click to Zoom

Proposal Summary:
Bacterial biofilms are communities of bacteria that surround themselves with a slime-like substance, creating a potent shield that makes them resistant to a variety of environmental factors including antimicrobial agents. The objective of our project is to determine if biofilm formation, by Escherichia coli K-12 on polystyrene plastic particles, is influenced by microgravity conditions. Escherichia coli is excreted in the feces of humans and animals. Plastic materials are used in a variety of objects on earth and in space including water purification systems and wastewater treatment plant components. Because of this, it is very important to determine the conditions that influence biofilm formation. We will conduct our experiments by incubating 250 and 500 μm polystyrene particles and E. coli K-12 suspensions for ten days under microgravity and normal gravity conditions for a period of ten days at normal ambient temperature. Biofilm formation will be analyzed using a Hitachi TM100 Scanning Electron Microscope at El Paso Community College.

 

Title: The Effect of Microgravity on Biofilm Formation by E. coli on Polystyrene Particles
Oral Presentation, 1st Annual SSEP National Conference, July 2011
El Paso Community College Transmountain Campus (EPCC)
Transmountain Early College High School (TMECHS)
Grade levels of Team: College Sophomore, and Grade 11

Type of Experiment: Flight Experiment, SSEP on STS-134

Co-Principal Investigators: Michelle Holguin, Diana Pahman, and Jarisma Rodriguez
Teacher Facilitator: Dr. Maria E. Alvarez, Professor of Biology

Abstract: Bacterial biofilms are communities of bacteria surrounded with a slime-like substance that creates a protective shield and makes them resistant to a variety of environmental factors. The objective of our project is to determine if biofilm formation by Escherichia coli on polystyrene plastic particles is influenced by microgravity conditions. Experiments were conducted by incubating 500-mm polystyrene beads and E. coli suspensions under microgravity and normal gravity conditions. Biofilm formation was analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy.