11-7+eINSPIRE

November 7, 2011

__ISS Science Challenge__
Thank you if you have already submitted your projects for the International Space Station Science Challenge. The purpose of the challenge is to encourage INSPIRE students to learn about NASA’s science experiments performed on the International Space Station (ISS) and develop an interesting and informative project to help educate the world about ISS science. Your project could be selected to appear on NASA's website! With this month's theme being the International Space Station, it is the perfect time to participate in this challenge. Click the link on the Discover page to find out more!

__Conrad Spirit of Innovation Award - Application Deadline Extended to Nov. 29__
One of the goals of INSPIRE is to share with our community opportunities available to challenge and motivate you to reach your highest potential. The RealWorld/InWorld Design Challenge (see above) is one such activity we actively support. Another opportunity is the Conrad Spirit of Innovation Award (www.conradawards.org). This challenge enlists students to create innovative products using science, technology, and entrepreneurship to solve real-world, 21st century problems. The Conrad Foundation was created by the family of late astronaut Pete Conrad (Apollo 12), and NASA is a government partner. A webinars will be available to explain the competition and answer questions.

Innovation Challenge Webinar for Students and Coaches/Teacher Wed, Nov 9, 2011 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM CDT https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/280905014

Interested students are encouraged to sign up on the Conrad website, attend a webinar, and contact a teacher at your school to be a coach. The INSPIRE OLC will support student teams by providing space on the Discussion Board to share with other INSPIRE students participating in the challenge. In addition, 200 points will be awarded to students for sharing your final project. We encourage our community to participate in this challenge, and look forward to your innovations!

__**This Month’s Theme **__
International Space Station

__**Weekly Sub-theme**__
Science on the ISS

__**LiveChats **__
// Date: // Tuesday, November 8, 2011 // Time: // 4 p.m. CT Sign up on the Discussion Board/Weekly LiveChat Sign Up now! // Speaker: // Scott Anderson, Marshall Space Flight Center, Alabama //Topic:// The Marshall Space Flight Center

// Date: // Thursday, November 10, 2011 // Time: // 8 p.m. CT Sign up on the Discussion Board/Weekly LiveChat Sign Up now! // Speaker: // Shiresh Patel, Kennedy Space Center, Florida //Topic:// Space Station Science

__Space Habitat Innovation Challenge Team Sign Up__
How would you like to design and develop a virtual model of NASA’s next generation space habitat? Go on the OLC and form a team of 3 to 6 students to compete in the new Space Habitat Innovation Challenge. Your design should be configured to transport a crew of 4 for as little as 90 days for missions near Earth and up to 500 days for missions to deep space destinations such as asteroids or Mars. Find more details and how to start a team on the Discover page of the OLC. Sign-up for this challenge is now open!

__Discussion Board Profile Pictures Available__
You may now select a profile picture that will display on the Discussion Board whenever you begin or reply to a discussion thread. As personal information cannot be shared in the OLC, you will only be allowed to choose from one of the provided images and you cannot add any additional information to the profile. Failure to adhere to these guidelines could result in removal from the OLC. Go to the OLC Homepage and follow the Profile Picture link in the OLC Links area.

__Bloggers Wanted!__
Do you have something you would like to say? Or do you want to report on something going on at school, like your Science Fair or FIRST Team? Write it out and submit to the INSPIRE Blog! You will find the Blog **dropbox** linked from the Discover page. 10 points will be given for any blog article used (your blog must appear under the INSPIRE Blog on the Connect page). You may submit as often as you wish.

__Question of the Week__
Q. I like having a new profile picture when I visit the Discussion Board! Can I create and upload my own picture? A. Sorry, not at this time.