THE CHALLENGE: Design a dna experiment for space
Genes in space is a national contest inviting teachers and students to design experiments that will solve real-life space exploration problems through dna analysis.
MISSION
Help design a pioneering experiment that will open an era of DNA exploration in space.
Crew: U.S. students and teachers interested in science, technology, and space, in grades 7 through 12.
Location: International Space Station.
Contest Launch Date: March 17, 2015.
Closing Date: April 30, 2015.
Life as we know it is encoded in DNA. On Earth we use a process called PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) to rapidly detect and analyze DNA. PCR can make billions of copies of specific DNA sequences for study, in a process called DNA amplification. PCR has never been done in space, and now you can be among the first to propose a DNA amplification experiment for the International Space Station.
If you win, your design will become one of the first ever DNA experiments in space!
IF YOU’RE A STUDENT
You’ll become part of the first generation of Space DNA Scientists and Innovators.
If your design is among the five finalists, you will work alongside scientist mentors and present your proposal to a panel of world class scientists, innovators, and educators at the ISS Research and Development Conference in Boston, MA.
The winning proposal will be performed aboard the ISS, and the students who design it will be invited to witness the rocket launch.
IF YOU’RE AN EDUCATOR
You’ll get to engage your students in a national competition that fosters 21st century skills, including:
- Interdisciplinary connections between the biological and physical sciences
- Collaboration among students, and between students and Ph.D. scientists
- Experimental design to test a cutting-edge hypothesis
- Solving real-world problems using the latest technologies
- Creativity and innovation
FINALISTS WILL
- Receive mentoring and coaching from Ph.D. scientists
- Present their proposals at the ISS Research and Development Conference in Boston, MA.
- Be awarded free miniPCR™ equipment for their educational institution.
WINNER WILL
- Have their experimental design carried out aboard the ISS.
- Be invited to witness the rocket launch.
DESIGN AND LAUNCH YOUR DNA EXPERIMENT TO SPACE!
Genes in Space is a National Science Contest inviting students in grades 7 through 12 to design a pioneering DNA experiment for space. Until April 30, participants can help solve real-life space exploration problems by designing and proposing a DNA analysis experiment to be conducted aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Five finalist teams will receive mentoring from world-class R&D scientists during May and June, and a donation of miniPCR equipment for their educational institutions. Finalists will present their proposals at the 2015 International Space Station R&D Conference, where a prestigious panel of scientists and educators will select a winner that will later have their experiment performed 250 miles above the Earth, using a miniPCR machine aboard ISS.