Space Station Researcher
Join the team of International Space Station researchers by enrolling in Orion’s Quest’s CµRE (Cancer Microgravity Research Experiment) and other experiments happening in the International Space Station!
This new mission is based on the cancer drug research of Dr. Shou-Ching Jaminet. The investigation studies whether cells grown in microgravity can serve as a model for cells in the human body on Earth and can be used to test the effectiveness and safety of a new cancer fighting drug.
You will need a High School teacher’s help, but getting their involvement is free and easy! Participating teachers will be provided with curriculum materials to help student understand Dr. Jaminet’s experiment. In addition students will gain access to actual images from both the space-based and ground-based experiments and will be guided through their analysis. Student data will be forwarded to Dr. Jaminet for possible inclusion in her database.
How do I get started? Just go the Orion’s Quest website and persuade your teacher to enroll.
How much time will this take? This is a medium time commitment. You must pitch this opportunity to your teacher and then get them to facilitate. You can review and execute most materials yourself without their help.
How do I expand this narrative arc? If medical research or astronomy is in your narrative arc, consider building on this interest with one of the following:
Compete to build a futuristic and innovative International Space Setltement.
See our post about Talking To Astronauts.
If you are ready for a bigger time commitment (and for greater impact), see our post about the prestigious Neuroscience Research Prize.
HOT TIP: This is a fantastic project to build on a general interest in cancer research or astronomy. For maximum wow effect, complement this project with a local impact project or capstone project in these interest areas.