Mini-Rf Education and Outreach and the Lunar Science Institute - the Next Leap in Lunar Exploration and Education

Many decades ago, the idea of lunar exploration inspired generations of Americans and provided the foundation for generating excitement for the STEM disciplines, especially as they related to space sciences and aeronautics. Today, this excitement has waned as memories of landing on the moon become more and more distant. However, there are many lunar-related programs that are focused on re-generating this excitement and inspiring future generations of Moon explorers. The Education and Public Outreach (E/PO) office in The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) Space Department provides numerous education and outreach activities with a focus on engaging and inspiring the next generation of Moon explorers. The Miniature Radio Frequency (Mini-RF), onboard both the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and Chandrayaan-1, is tasked with studying the moon to provide information on possible locations for future lunar exploration and human lunar missions. This information has the potential to again inspire and excite generations of Americans as the space science community prepares to consider more human lunar missions. APL organizes education and outreach activities focusing on Mini-RF science through teacher workshops, and museum and planetarium exhibits. APL also hosts the new Lunar Science Institute (LSI), which studies the lunar polar environment, attempts to characterize the surface, and hypothesizes on the possibility and requirements of having a manned research outpost on the Moon. LSI will focus on education through teacher workshops, summer camps, and a space academy for middle school students. Outreach components will include an interactive website promoting lunar science, podcasts and a partnership with the Museum Alliance.