Cotopaxi Conversations: A chat about the history of space science at Academia Cotopaxi.

                               See video at: https://vimeo.com/376906335

AC Space Club: Rocketfest (June 2019) with Cubes in Space

Six, of the 16, AC Space Club members present at the NASA's Wallops Flight Facility. Three student proposals were accepted for flight on a Terrier-Improved sounding rocket, and one proposal on an edge-of-space balloon. They did an awesome job!

Skype Chat with Ecuadorian NASA Engineer: Juniper Jairala

Once again, Ms. Juniper Jairala knocks it out of the ballpark in motivating students to pursue STEM education. Check it out:

Cubes in Space/NASA Space Club at Academia Cotopaxi - Newsletter July 2018

file:///C:/Users/msolberg/Downloads/AC%20Space%20Club%20Newsletter-%20July%202018-%20CIS%252FNASA%20Experiments.pdf

 Digital presentation on-stage, standing-room only.

Eight students represent the 17-member, Ecuadorian AC Space Club.

Presenting to Director William Wrobel at the Student Exhibit.

AC group of twenty: teacher, families and students.

AASSA Article Published Regarding the Cubes in Space Program

View at: http://www.aassa.net/blog/?p=2284

NASA/Cubes in Space - Two Student Experiments Launched!

Isabel Escobar, one of 17 students in Academia Cotopaxi's after school NASA/CIS Club, presented at NASA's Wallop's Flight Center; both on-stage and during a student exhibit. She explained how the data received from space flight on the Terrier-Improved Orion Sounding rocket - for one, of the two accepted experiments for rocket launch - will contribute to human space flight. The remaining three experiments will be launched in an edge-of-space balloon in August, and then the data will be analyzed and shared during the fall of 2017. Great job, Isabel!

** See presentation video at: https://drive.google.com/a/cotopaxi.k12.ec/file/d/0BzMnvN1cmSZZQ2ZlamowMHpDcUU/view?usp=sharing



NASA/Cubes in Space - Experiments Ready to be Sent and Launched!

     NASA/CIS after school students have successfully completed the construction of their five science experiments, now ready for launch on a NASA rocket or edge-of-space balloon! View the video clip for an understanding of the inquiry process that's taken place for this project-based learning opportunity: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzMnvN1cmSZZU01EYjlkTHl1R3M/view?usp=sharing. When the data is obtained in the fall of 2017, students will proceed to the analytical and sharing portion of this fabulous, global opportunity!

     While all experiments have meaningful applications for space exploration, the properties being explored include the following:

• Two experiments will launch from a sounding rocket at NASA Wallops Flight Facility. The pinto bean experiment will test the effects of extreme launch forces, as well as the bombardment of radiation from the ionosphere and space on the growth of plants from seeds. The kinetic sand experiment is to determine if the sand can withstand the extreme forces associated with rocket launches and micro gravity.
• Three experiments will launch from and edge-of-space balloon at NASA's Colombia Scientific Balloon Facility. Experiments include, once again, pinto beans and kinetic sand, as well as ultrasound gel; the purpose of which is to determine if the materials can tolerate conditions found in space, such as extreme radiation temperature fluctuation conditions. 

     For more information, check out the following link: http://www.cubesinspace.com/.

Cubes in Space Press Release - April 14, 2017

 All FIVE of the "Cubes in Space/NASA Club" science experiments were accepted! Here's CIS's press release:

     Cubes in Space™ is a program by idoodledu inc., in collaboration with NASA’s Langley Research Center, NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility and Colorado Space Grant Consortium, offers global design competitions for students 11-18 years of age to develop STEAM-based experiments for launch into space.

Used in formal or informal learning environments, students and educators are exposed to engaging online content and activities in preparation for the design and development of an experiment to be integrated into a small cube. Throughout the experience, students develop key 21st century skills; communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity.

     Since 2014, Cubes in Space has flown nearly 400 experiments representing 1500 educators and over 20,000 students from 57 different countries. This year nearly 600 educators and thousands of students from 39 countries participated and proposed experiments for a space on a NASA sounding rocket or high-altitude scientific balloon mission.  A total of 160 experiments were selected and were designed by students from Australia, Austria, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Mexico, Serbia, the United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, the and the United States of America.

     The experiments will be launched via sounding rocket in late June 2017 from NASA Wallops Flight Facility on the Eastern Shore of Virginia or by high-altitude scientific balloon in late summer 2017 from NASA’s Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility in Ft. Sumner, New Mexico.

Cubes in Space/NASA Club Turns in Experiment Proposals

Now we just need to wait until April 6, 2017 to see if any of the four proposals are accepted for flight on a sound rocket (NASA's Langley Space Center) or edge-of-space balloon (NASA's Wallops Space Center)!

NASA Cubes in Space (CIS) After School Club: Skyping with the president of CIS!

Inspiration Projects - Space Shuttle History (D.H.)

PYP Religions Unit: Hands-On Experience with Five Major Religions...and more.

Raspberri Pi's Piper Minecraft Programming (Danny)

Danny's Rock Start Student presentation was showing us how he built a wooden computer with the Piper Minecraft Learning Program! Check out more here: https://playpiper.com/.

Junior Robotics Tournament II - Tumbaco, Ecuador

On May 21st, 2016, 18 schools from Quito and nearby competed in a robot programming tournament (hosted by Clear Minds/Neuronakids). Two students represented Academia Cotopaxi and, even though they were a grade level below the rest, performed valiantly and should be commended for their outstanding effort! Ultimately, they placed 9th out of the 18 schools :-).

Water Demonstration Day 2016