NASA - RSESTeP - School Mission Implementation

School Mission Implementation

Formation of Partnerships

Trained RSESTeP Teachers partner with local scientists and certified Academy of Model Aeronautics Remote Control Plane pilots to implement planned Earth Science Community Missions.

Scientists involved in the RSESTeP program assist teachers in introducing Mission Science to the students, help develop a plan for student ground-truthing data collection for the field component, and lead efforts in post field mission classroom data analysis. Scientists are located using Space Grant, University, and Department of Natural Resource networks.

Certified Academy of Model Aeronautics Remote Control Plane Pilots are the flight experts. Their role in RSESTeP is to support teachers by flying NASA's Educational R/C Planes during mission flights while students operate separate payload controls; develop mission flight and safety plans, and introduce students to the basic principles of flight. Teachers contact local R/C Club Presidents who then recommend their best pilots to work with students and the community. It is an excellent outreach for the clubs.

In preparing students, the RSESTeP Teachers integrate NASA Remote Sensing Resources into their curriculum, train students how to use RSESTeP Ground-truthing equipment, and coordinate all aspects of the mission.

Field Mission Data Collection

NC RSESTEP Teacher, Rose Hotchkiss, puts student teams to work.

Teachers, students, scientists, and pilots meet at the selected mission site to collect plane and ground-truthing data that will later be corroborated with NASA satellite data. The local community is invited to attend RSESTeP field missions. RSESTeP is a way to engage local communities in NASA Earth Science.

MD Middle School students record weather conditions during a Chesapeake Bay monitoring mission.

The RSESTeP Teacher is the mission lead. Missions begin by reading a letter from NASA wishing the students success. Students then begin taking GPS and weather condition measurements which are provided to the certified AMA R/C Pilots who determine if conditions are right for flying. Upon pilot approval, student teams work with the pilot to prepare NASA Educational R/C Plane and Payload for flight.

Under pilot supervision, NC students insert batteries and connect plane ailerons
A MI student secures the wings to NASA's Educational R/C Plane
With payload secure, the MD Prep team connects the R/C Plane Wing

MD student inserts and turns on payload cameras Once the plane is ready for flight (with payload and downlink systems checked), students and the community move to designated safety observation areas during hand toss launches and flights over the mission area.
Students and community participants observe a mission flight from a designated safety area.

Pilot flies NASA's plane over North Carolina's Wetlands
NASA's R/C plane flying over Maryland's Chesapeake Bay Horsehead ecosystem.
Allen Lunsford hand-launches NASA's ED R/C Plane during a Chesapeake Bay ecosystem monitoring mission

During the Mission Flight

Student payload teams operate a separate set of controls and monitor the data being collected on a video screen.

Post Flight

Mission Flights generally last about six to eight minutes. Upon landing, post mission flight teams work with the pilot to disassemble the plane and payload teams retrieve data memory cards which can be downloaded on a computer in the field or back at school. Typically two to three mission flights are scheduled on Mission Day.

Ground-Truthing

In between scheduled mission flights, student teams collect ground-truthing data which will be later corroborated with satellite and R/C plane payload data using GPS coordinates taken at the data collection site.

Post Mission Data Analysis

The RSESTeP teacher and partnering scientists assist students in analyzing three tiered Satellite, R/C Plane and Ground-truthing data of the mission area. Teachers are also provided the opportunity to request GSFC Distance Learning Events with NASA Earth Obsrving Scientists to help prepare students for the mission or to discuss and extend mission findings.

Sharing Mission Results

After a Mission has been completed, the RSESTeP teacher and students share information about their mission with the local community, R/C Clubs, and NASA in created misson summary reports, power-points, mission posters, created websites and videos.

Sample mission products

Sample Teacher Summary Reports

The cost of training one teacher yields:

NASA Earth Science Resources infused into local curriculums
Teachers and students training in Science and Technology
The formation of sustainable partnerships between the school, scientists, pilots and community.
Students and communities engaged in NASA Earth Science

Under pilot supervision, NC students insert batteries and connect plane ailerons	A MI student secures the wings to NASA's Educational R/C Plane	With payload secure, the MD Prep team connects the R/C Plane Wing
MD student inserts and turns on payload cameras	Once the plane is ready for flight (with payload and downlink systems checked), students and the community move to designated safety observation areas during hand toss launches and flights over the mission area.	Students and community participants observe a mission flight from a designated safety area.
Pilot flies NASA's plane over North Carolina's Wetlands	NASA's R/C plane flying over Maryland's Chesapeake Bay Horsehead ecosystem.	Allen Lunsford hand-launches NASA's ED R/C Plane during a Chesapeake Bay ecosystem monitoring mission