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2013 Annual Science Report

NASA Ames Research Center Reporting  |  SEP 2012 – AUG 2013

EPO Activity: Scientists' Involvement in EPO: Making the Case

Project Progress

The NAI Ames Team participates in a portfolio of diverse EPO activities that contribute to advancing the field of astrobiology and captivating audiences from “K-to-Gray.” The team’s efforts are designed to increase awareness, appreciation and participation in science, technology, engineering and math fields as they relate to astrobiology. Specific activities occurred in: K-12 classrooms, colleges and universities, museums, planetariums, national parks, NASA centers, and in public and media events nationwide.

Figure 1: In a demonstration to Girl Scouts, Ames team member Andrew Mattioda uses UV fluorescence to search for subsurface astrobiological molecules. The Girl Scouts are watching real time video from a penetrometer probe as Mattioda pushes it beneath a mock Martian surface.

In addition, our team members have participated in: FameLab, film projects, public lectures, science festivals, invited talks, keynote addresses, press interviews, career talks, science fairs, science camps, field-based lectures, classroom/university seminars, lab tours, virtual lectures, video conferences worldwide, formal presentations at scientific conferences and workshops, organization of symposiums, and chairing science sessions.

Figure 2: Hosting the Astrobiology Booth at the Lassen Volcanic National Park Dark Sky Summer Festival, Dave Blake of the Ames team demonstrates the use of Curiosity's "CheMin," a powder X-ray Diffraction instrument.