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Gretchen Cook-Anderson
Headquarters, Washington               July 3, 2003
(Phone: 202/358-0836)

Jonas Dino
Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.
(Phone: 650/604-5612/9000)

RELEASE: 03-229 

NASA'S ASTRO-VENTURE HELPS STUDENTS EXPLORE HABITABLE PLANETS

     As NASA embarks on new missions to Mars in search of 
evidence of life, students now have access to virtual tools 
that will help them understand the conditions that make human 
life possible on Earth and how to design a habitable 
fictional planet. 

On July 1, 2003, three new modules were added to NASA's 
award-winning Astro-Venture Web site developed at NASA's Ames 
Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., as part of NASA's 
educational goal to inspire students to pursue careers in 
math, science and technology. The site is an educational, 
interactive, multimedia Web environment in which fifth 
through eighth grade students emulate NASA occupations and 
use scientific inquiry, to search for and design planets with 
the necessary characteristics for human habitation. The 
original astronomy unit and the three new modules - geology, 
biology and Earth Science, complete the Earth system science 
unit for middle school students.

"Astro-Venture is an excellent tool to assist educators in 
delivering exciting NASA research to our future generation of 
explorers," said Donald James, NASA Ames Education Director. 
"The site exposes students to the compelling topic of 
astrobiology and the wide variety of careers that support 
this area of research." Astrobiology is the study of the 
origin, evolution, distribution and destiny of life in the 
universe.

Guided by the animated character 'Astro Ferret,' students 
explore the environmental features that help Earth support 
human life. They then engage in standards-based classroom 
lessons that emphasize why these features are necessary, 
before embarking on mission modules that simulate how NASA 
scientists are searching for habitable planets. The Web site 
uses multimedia features such as video, animation and 
graphics to keep students engaged and stimulated to explore 
each learning module. 

The new modules, continue the multimedia-rich, inquiry-based 
standard set by the original astronomy unit, which includes 
two astronomy multimedia modules, an astronomy educator guide 
of inquiry-based classroom activities, and a wealth of career 
fact sheets. 

In the atmospheric science module, students can manipulate 
the amount of different gasses in our atmosphere and draw 
conclusions as to which proportions are necessary for human 
survival. Students also engage in activities that explain the 
properties of gases and chemical reactions. In geology, 
students learn about the structure of the Earth, volcanoes 
and the formation and recycling of rocks. The biology unit 
covers the 'web of life,' which explains how all creatures 
are dependent on each other. 

"The completion of these three new modules provides students 
with a unique opportunity to explore the Earth as a system," 
said Christina O'Guinn, NASA Ames' educational team lead. 
"Students view the Earth from the perspective of 
astrobiologists and see how all areas of science are 
interrelated. They come away with an appreciation of their 
planet and the complex systems on Earth that support human 
habitability."

To help teachers implement the lessons in the classroom, 
astronomy and atmosphere educator guides are currently 
available, and geology and biology guides are being 
developed. Astro-Venture lessons are designed to meet 
national education standards.

Since its launch on Feb. 1, 2003, Astro-Venture has been 
recognized by the educational community with an 'A+' review 
by Education World, Wallingford, Conn. and with the Star 
Award from the Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles for 
excellence in promoting astronomy. Astro-Venture has been 
included in the Gender and Science Digital Library Project 
conducted by the Educational Development Center, Newton, 
Mass., the Digital Dozen Project conducted by the Eisenhower 
National Clearinghouse, Columbus, Ohio and in an educational 
exhibit at the Bloomfield Science Museum, Jerusalem.

For information about the NASA Education Enterprise and 
programs, visit:

http://education.nasa.gov

For information about NASA on the Internet, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

For information about Astro-Venture, visit:

http://astroventure.arc.nasa.gov

For information about NASA Astrobiology Institute, visit:

http://nai.arc.nasa.gov

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