Updates

MSGC Updates

There are quite a few upcoming opportunities happening over the next couple of months and the MSGC team wants to make sure that you are updated on the latest challenges, programs, internships, contests etc. 

Let the MSGC team know if you plan on participating by sending an email to mispacegrant@umich.edu

Congratulations to all of our 2024 Awardees!

At this time all applicants have been notified on the status of their application. You can view the list of our 2024 award recipients here: https://buff.ly/3JzVh2g

Higher Education Opportunities

2024 RASC-AL Competition
Entry Deadline: Thursday, March 7
https://myumi.ch/5ymxW
The 2024 RASC-AL competition invites university teams to develop new concepts that leverage innovation to improve our ability to operate on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. This year’s themes range from developing large-scale lunar surface architectures enabling long-term off-world habitation, to designing new systems that leverage in-situ resources for in-space travel and exploration. Up to 14 teams may be chosen to present their concepts at the 2024 RASC-AL Forum in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Each team will receive a monetary award to facilitate full participation in the RASC-AL Forum competition.

FBI Critical Incident Response Group Research Opportunity
Applications Accepted on a Rolling Basis
https://myumi.ch/jZwz4
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG) consists of a cadre of special agents and professional support personnel who provide expertise in crisis management, hostage rescue, surveillance and aviation, hazardous devices mitigation, crisis negotiations, behavioral analysis, and tactical operations. As a research fellow with the Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG) Visiting Scientist Program (VSP), you will enhance your professional development and increase your research capabilities by participating in research initiatives under the mentorship of CIRG research personnel. The VSP will expose you to a work environment in a high security government facility and will provide an opportunity to perform research in areas of interest unique to law enforcement and national security.

FBI Counterterrorism and Forensic Science Research Unit Opportunity
Applications Accepted on a Rolling Basis
https://myumi.ch/qV1jZ
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Counterterrorism and Forensic Science Research Unit’s (CFSRU) provides technical leadership for the FBI as well as for other law enforcement and intelligence agencies through applied research and development. As a participant with the Counterterrorism and Forensic Science Research Unit (CFSRU) Visiting Scientist Program (VSP), you will have an opportunity to enhance your professional development and increase your research capabilities and contributions by participating in forensic research initiatives utilizing state-of-the-art equipment under the mentorship of CFSRU scientists. The VSP will expose you to a research environment in a high security government facility and provides an opportunity to perform research in areas of interest unique to law enforcement and national security.

The MSU Science Festival returns April 2024 for the 12th year!
https://myumi.ch/pkmzg
The MSU Science Festival is a free annual celebration of science, fueled by curiosity, wonder, and discovery. With events for everyone to enjoy, the MSU Science Festival explores topics ranging from the ordinary to the extraordinary. From astronomy to music, and chemistry to microbiology; scientists and educators across the state are eager to share the wonder of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics.

Department of Energy: New Mexico Lab-Embedded Entrepreneur Program Opportunity
Application Deadline: April 22
https://myumi.ch/N6Me9
Every year, a cohort of entrepreneurs are recruited from around the country. For two years, you will be embedded in the Los Alamos National Laboratory research ecosystem, where DOE/NNSA provides funding, access to Los Alamos and Sandia national labs, and a program of intensive mentorship, tailored business development, and networking. We are looking for entrepreneurial technical leaders who have the drive and ability to build a transformative technology and lead a team in its development. We also aim to ensure that the initial project concept is technically sound, reasonably differentiated, and addresses a well-framed problem with potential to significantly advance the missions of our fellowship sponsors.

K-12 Opportunities

The MSU Science Festival returns April 2024 for the 12th year!
https://myumi.ch/pkmzg
The MSU Science Festival is a free annual celebration of science, fueled by curiosity, wonder, and discovery. With events for everyone to enjoy, the MSU Science Festival explores topics ranging from the ordinary to the extraordinary. From astronomy to music, and chemistry to microbiology; scientists and educators across the state are eager to share the wonder of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics.

First Woman: Camp Experience
https://myumi.ch/Erwp6
Go on a STEM adventure with the interactive First Woman graphic novel series. Join Callie Rodriguez and her crewmates as they work together to explore the unknown, make scientific discoveries, and accomplish their mission objectives. Bring the science behind the story to life with hands-on activities found in the First Woman Camp Experience guides. Then check student understanding with the accompanying Reading Comprehension Guides.

Surprisingly STEM Career Exploration: Astronaut Strength and Conditioning Coaches
Registration Deadline: Friday, March 8
Webinar Date: Thursday, March 14 at 5 p.m. EDT
https://myumi.ch/M673V
Surprisingly STEM is a video series that highlights exciting and unexpected careers at NASA. Join us for a monthly live session with Q&A focused on a specific episode and related activity. This month, strengthen your STEM career knowledge with Corey Twine and Christi Keeler, astronaut strength and conditioning coaches at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Learn how they use STEM to design training programs and fitness techniques to keep astronauts in tip top shape before and after they leave Earth.

High School Internship With NASA’s Neurodiversity Network
Audience: Current high school students ages 16 and older who identify as autistic
Application Deadline: Friday, March 8
https://myumi.ch/Q6rPX
NASA’s Neurodiversity Network (N3) is accepting applications for summer interns to work on projects with NASA scientists. N3 provides experiences for neurodiverse students, specifically those who identify as autistic, to spark interest in STEM careers. Participants complete approximately 100 hours of remote work during a flexible summer schedule and will receive a $1K stipend. Applicants must have completed precalculus and at least two years of physical science courses.

Celebrate Pi Day with NASA
Thursday, March 14
https://myumi.ch/bEQwr
NASA is joining schools, students, and science centers across the U.S. to celebrate one of the most well known and beloved numbers: pi. Pi Day gives us a reason to celebrate the mathematical wonder that helps NASA explore the universe. And we’re giving students a chance to join in the fun by using pi to explore Earth and space themselves in our 2024 NASA Pi Day Challenge – available on Thursday, March 7. In the meantime, explore our collection of evergreen Pi Day Challenge problems, articles about how we use pi at NASA, and free downloads, including mobile phone and desktop backgrounds.

EclipseEd Webinar: Illuminating Learning Paths for the April 8 Total Solar Eclipse
Event Date: April 3 at 1:30 p.m. EST
https://myumi.ch/ZDZw3
Build excitement for the SpaceX Crew-8 launch with STEM activities and resources. Download the printable Commercial Crew A to Z Activity and Coloring Booklet, take an immersive virtual reality tour of Commercial Crew facilities, and use computer programming to create an interactive simulation of a spacecraft docking to the space station.

Genes in Space 2024 – Design and Launch Your DNA Experiment to Space!
Event Dates: April 11-13, 2024
https://myumi.ch/qGbnQ
Calling all students in grades 7 through 12: Have you ever wondered how astronauts might survive a deep-space mission or how we might be able to use biology to transform new worlds? If so, Genes in Space is for you! Genes in Space is a science contest that challenges students to design original experiments that use biotechnology to explore the real-life challenges and opportunities of space exploration. The contest is free and does not require equipment. The winning experiment is conducted by astronauts aboard the International Space Station! Submission deadline is April 15th, 2024. Educators: The Genes in Space contest is a great way to engage students in authentic research. Genes in Space is a collaboration between miniPCR bio and Boeing with generous support from the ISS U.S. National Laboratory and New England Biolabs, Inc.

Educator Opportunities

International Women’s Day Webinar #InspireInclusion
Please join us virtually on: Friday, March 8th from 12PM – 1PM EST
https://myumi.ch/XGdkX
You are invited to join Million Women Mentors and celebrate International Women’s Day for a webinar to #InspireInclusion on Friday, March 8th, 12 – 1 PM ET. International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. During this virtual event, you will hear from thought leaders working across the STEM ecosystem about their organizational efforts to support women in pursing, persisting and succeeding in STEM careers. Presenters will offer ideas for what you/your organization can do to address and further areas supporting the advancement of women and girls into leadership, decision-making, business and STEM. Together let’s #InspireInclusion for women and girls everywhere!

Empower Your Students With Open Science 101
https://myumi.ch/xqQzq
Are you ready to equip your student researchers with the skills and knowledge needed for success in the modern scientific landscape? NASA’s Transform to Open Science (TOPS) initiative is here to help with Open Science 101 (OS101). This comprehensive training program is designed to introduce student researchers and professors to the principles and practices of open science. OS101 covers key concepts, tools, and resources that are essential for a successful journey into the world of open science.

Call for Proposals: SMD Bridge Program Seed Funding
Proposal Deadline: Accepted on a rolling basis through March 29, 2024
https://myumi.ch/1A7kx
NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is seeking proposals for seed funding awards to provide support for faculty investigators and their students to carry out NASA-relevant research. The goal of the SMD Bridge Program is to develop sustainable partnerships among institutions historically under-resourced by NASA. Each award is expected to have a budget of up to $300,000 for a duration of 24 months.

United States Patent and Trademark Office: National Summer Teacher Institute
Application Deadline: Sunday, March 31
https://myumi.ch/kxkWn
The National Summer Teacher Institute (NSTI) is a free, multi-day professional development training opportunity designed to support elementary, middle, and high school teachers as they increase their knowledge of concepts of making, inventing, and intellectual property (IP) creation and protection. NSTI is designed to help teachers inspire the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. The program is open to eligible K-12 teachers nationwide. It combines experiential training tools, practices, and project-based learning models.

National Institute of Standards and Technology Summer Institute for Middle School Science Teachers
Application Deadline: Sunday, March 31
https://myumi.ch/nyZgG
The NIST Summer Institute is a two-week workshop for middle school science teachers. As a participant, you’ll gain new knowledge of science, a network of NIST researchers to consult with, and materials you can implement in your curriculum.

The MSU Science Festival returns April 2024 for the 12th year!
https://myumi.ch/pkmzg
The MSU Science Festival is a free annual celebration of science, fueled by curiosity, wonder, and discovery. With events for everyone to enjoy, the MSU Science Festival explores topics ranging from the ordinary to the extraordinary. From astronomy to music, and chemistry to microbiology; scientists and educators across the state are eager to share the wonder of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics.

Free Eclipse Glasses @ Kalamazoo Museum
At KVM’s front desk during public hours | FREE
https://myumi.ch/3Qj1z
Be prepared for the eclipse on Monday, April 8. Pick up a pair of solar eclipse glasses at the museum’s front desk during our public hours of operation while supplies last. Visit the KVM on April 8, 1 – 5 p.m., to view the eclipse, live NASA feed of the eclipse as it moves across North America and more.