The Lunar Student Imaging Project (LSIP): Bringing the Excitement of Lunar Exploration to Students Using LRO Mission Data
Abstract
In June 2009, NASA launched the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) - the first mission in NASA's Vision for Space Exploration, a plan to return to the Moon and then to travel to Mars and beyond. LRO is equipped with seven instruments including the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC), a system of two narrow-angle cameras and one wide-angle camera, controlled by scientists in the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University. The orbiter will have a one-year primary mission in a 50 km polar orbit. The measurements from LROC will uncover much-needed information about potential landing sites and will help generate a meter scale map of the lunar surface. With support from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, the LROC Science Operations Center and the ASU Mars Education Program, have partnered to develop an inquiry-based student program, the Lunar Student Imaging Project (LSIP). Based on the nationally recognized, Mars Student Imaging Project (MSIP), LSIP uses cutting-edge NASA content and remote sensing data to involve students in authentic lunar exploration. This program offers students (grades 5-14) immersive experiences where they can: 1) target images of the lunar surface, 2) interact with NASA planetary scientists, mission engineers and educators, and 3) gain access to NASA curricula and materials developed to enhance STEM learning. Using a project based learning model, students drive their own research and learn first hand what it’s like to do real planetary science. The LSIP curriculum contains a resource manual and program guide (including lunar feature identification charts, classroom posters, and lunar exploration time line) and a series of activities covering image analysis, relative age dating and planetary comparisons. LSIP will be based upon the well-tested MSIP model, and will encompass onsite as well as distance learning components.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2009
- Bibcode:
- 2009AGUFMED41A0525T
- Keywords:
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- 0805 EDUCATION / Elementary and secondary education;
- 6250 PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLAR SYSTEM OBJECTS / Moon