Microgravity University: About Mgue

Microgravity University for Educators (MgUE) invites teams of educators and high school students to solve technical problems by designing, building, and testing devices in NASA's unique facilities. MgUE is an authentic learning experience requiring application of scientific and engineering practices that creates exposure to STEM career pathways.

The following schools have been selected to participate in the Microgravity University for Educators Precision Air Bearing Floor challenge.

Congratulations 2018 MgUE Teams!

Cabo Rojo and Mayagüez School Districts, Puerto Rico
Council Rock High School South, Southhampton, Pennsylvania
Deer Creek High School, Deer Park, Texas
Dickinson High School, Dickinson, Texas
Luis Negrón López High School, Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico
Mankato East High School, Mankato, Minnesota
MESA High School, Mesa, Arizona
Monserrate Leon de Irizarry High School, Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
Wakulla Middle School, Crawfordville, Florida
Warren Occupational Technical Center, Lakewood, Colorado

Overview

Ten teams from across the country will be invited to participate.

Eligibility Requirements

See if you're eligible for the MgUE activity!

Information Sessions

Take a look at our sessions!

Proposal Guidelines & FAQ

Check out our guidelines and frequently asked questions.

Submit my Proposal

NOTICE: Currently, we are not accepting proposals for MgUE. If you are interested in knowing when the next opportunity for MgUE opens, please send us an email at JSC-EPD@mail.nasa.gov. Please include "MgUE" in the subject line.

Overview

Microgravity University for Educators (MgUE) invites teams of educators and high school students to solve technical problems by designing, building, and testing devices in NASA's unique facilities. Teams will share their experience through outreach programs in their communities. The process begins with the submission of a proposal from a team including a commitment from the supporting institution.

Challenges's involve student-derived solutions to technical problems, or improvements to existing solutions, identified by NASA scientists and engineers who use simulated microgravity environments in their work. Examples include designing a docking device, designing a grapple structure, and/or designing a satellite deployment.

Selected teams will design and build their device prior to testing it at a NASA field center. To help with the challenge, teams will be paired with a NASA mentor who will help them integrate student-derived solutions with the selected test facility.

Educators will have the opportunity for professional development during the online and onsite portions of the activity. Professional development hours may include online meetings, webinars, field center tours, interactions with subject matter experts, and learning experiences unique to NASA.

MgUE Sharable Promotion Flyer (PDF)

Key Dates and Times

	Date(s)	Time	Time Zone
Proposal Opens	11/01/2017	2:00pm	Central Time
NSTA Regional Conference â€“ Milwaukee	11/9-11/2017	TBD	Central Time
Information Session	11/09/2017	6:30 - 7:30pm	Central Time
Information Session	11/14/2017	6:30 - 7:30pm	Central Time
NCTM INNOV8 Conference	11/15-17/2017	TBD	Central Time
Information Session	11/30/2017	6:30 - 7:30pm	Central Time
NSTA Regional Conference - New Orleans	11/30-12/2, 2017	TBA	Central Time
Information Session	12/05/2017	6:30 - 7:30pm	Central Time
Proposal Submission Ends	12/13/2017	2:00pm	Central Time
Team Announcements	01/05/2018	2:00pm	Central Time
Online Meetings (Pre-Onsite)	01/08/2018 - 03/01/2018	TBA	Central Time
Onsite Testing Week 1	03/19/2018 - 03/23/2018	8:00am - 5:00pm, Daily	Central Time
Onsite Testing Week 2	03/26/2018 - 03/30/2018	8:00am - 5:00pm, Daily	Central Time
Online Meetings (Post-Onsite)	04/02/2018 - 05/04/2018	TBA	Central Time

Information Sessions

Attend a one-hour online presentation to learn more about the proposal requirements.

To connect to our online session click on this link: Join the Blackboard Collaborate session.

Download the free Blackboard Collaborate Mobile App from your App store to attend via smartphone or tablet, or connect in a browser on your computer.

Date(s)	Time
11/09/2017	6:30 - 7:30pm, Central Time
11/14/2017	6:30 - 7:30pm, Central Time
11/30/2017	6:30 - 7:30pm, Central Time
12/05/2017	6:30 - 7:30pm, Central Time

Visit the NASA MgUE booth at the following conferences for more information:

National Science Teachers Association Regional Conference â€“ Milwaukee, WI; November 9-11, 2017
Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching â€“ Houston, TX; November 9-11, 2017
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics INNOV8 Conference â€“ Las Vegas, NV; November 15-17, 2017
National Science Teachers Association Regional Conference â€“ New Orleans, LA; November 29, 2017 â€“ December 2, 2017

Proposal Guidelines and FAQ's

A primary function of operating in space is the deployment and retrieval of payloads. NASA uses a deployment system to eject payloads such as cube satellites from the International Space Station. In recent years, a deployment system failed to release satellites when commanded, and inadvertently or prematurely released satellites. Work to improve the mechanics and powering of the system has been a focus for NASA and its partners. Microgravity University for Educators (MgUE) invites educators and high school students to be a part of the team to improve the solution.

We are challenging teams to design and build a Satellite Launching Experimental Device (SLED) coded to autonomously deploy a mock satellite into a moving, targeted zone that mimics a Mars orbital insertion. Teams should represent a school, school district, informal educational organization, or any combination of the above. Teams should have a minimum of two educators and at least 60 highly involved high school students in grades 9 through 12. Each team will be able to send only two educators and four high school students to Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX to test the SLED in a simulated microgravity and reduced friction environment called the Precision Air Bearing Floor (PABF). Interested teams will prepare a proposal package to be reviewed and scored by NASA.

Proposal Deadline: 2:00pm, Central Time, on Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Need More Information?

Please direct all questions to jsc-epd@mail.nasa.gov . Please include 'MgUE' in the subject line.

Information sessions will be held to answer questions LIVE about the challenge, proposal process, and technical questions. Sessions will be held online. Please scroll up to review times and connection information.