HR: 08:45h
AN: ED31A-04    [Abstracts]
TI: Successful Heliophysical Programs Emphasizing the Relation of Earth and the Sun
AU: * Morris, P A
EM: penny.morris-smith-1@nasa.gov
AF: University of Houston-Downtown, 1 Main St., Houston, Tx 77002, United States
AU: Reiff, P
EM: reiff@rice.edu
AF: Rice University, 6100 Main St., Houston, Tx 77005-1827, United States
AU: Sumners, C
EM: csumners@hmns.org
AF: Houston Museum of Natural Science, One Herman Circle, Houston, Tx 77030, United States
AU: McKay, G A
EM: gordon.a.mckay@nasa.gov
AF: NASA Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Tx 77058, United States
AB: Heliophysical is defined as the interconnectedness of the entire solar-heliospheric-planetary system. Our goals are to introduce easily accessible programs that introduce the Sun and other solar system processes to the public. The programs emphasize the impact of these processes on Earth and its inhabitants over geological time. These types of programs are important as these topics as generally taught as a secondary concept rather than an integrated approach. Space Weather is an excellent mechanism for integrating Earth and space science. Heliophysics, which includes Space Weather, is traditionally part of space science studies, but most students do not understand the effect of the Sun's atmosphere on Earth or the intense effects energetic particles can have on humans, whether traveling through space or exploring the surfaces of the Moon or Mars. Effects are not only limited to space travel and other planetary surfaces but also include effects on Earth's magnetosphere which, in turn, affect radio transmission, GPS accuracy, and on occasion spacecraft loss and terrestrial power outages. Meteoritic impacts are another topic. Impacts on planetary bodies without strong plate tectonic activities provide ample evidence of their occurrence over geological time. As an analog, impacts have also had an extensive record on Earth, but plate tectonics have been responsible for obliterating most of the evidence. We have developed effective and engaging venues for teaching heliophysics, via the internet, CD-Rom's, museum kiosks, and planetarium shows. We have organized workshops for teachers; "NASA Days" and "Sally Ride Festivals" for students, and "Sun-Earth Day" events for the public. Our goals are both to increase k-16 and public literacy on heliophysical processes and to inspire the next generation to enhance the workforce. We will be offering examples of these programs, as well as distributing CD's and DVD's of some of the creative works.
DE: 0855 Diversity
SC: Education and Human Resources [ED]
MN: 2007 Joint Assembly