Student Scientists Get an Invitation That is Out of This World

SPOCS is the name, flying student research to the International Space Station is the game. Even astronauts are talking about it!

In celebration of the 20 years that the space station has served as NASA’s home away from home, STEM on Station has opened a new student challenge, Student Payload Opportunity with Citizen Science, or SPOCS, and is now accepting proposals. 

Science aboard the space station has been a game-changer for researchers on the ground since its inception, and student research has often been included in the mix. The diversity of experiments performed aboard the orbiting laboratory, coupled with the unique microgravity environment found nowhere else on the planet, is critical to not only pushing the bounds of what we know here on Earth, but also helping us Earthlings explore farther into space than ever before. 

STEM on Station is inviting college students of the Artemis Generation to get in on the action, and will foot the bill for five payloads that will make the trip to and from the station. Specific to SPOCS, student teams are to propose research related to either bacteria resistance or sustainability and dedicate part of their proposals for plans to involve K-12 students (or a subset) as citizen scientists as part of their experiment, as well as engage communities in their work through educational outreach.

If you happen to be a college student or know any who may be interested to learn more about SPOCS, STEM on Station will host a series of webinars with NASA subject-matter experts. However, if you are unable to make any of them, recordings will be made available so you can catch up on all the details.

Wednesday, Feb. 12, 3:30-5 p.m. CST: General Overview of SPOCS and Space Station Research

Wednesday, Feb.19, 4-5 p.m. CST: Bacteria Resistance

Wednesday, Feb. 26, 4-5 p.m. CST: Sustainability Research

Already know you and your team are up for the challenge? Keep the following details handy:

• All teams must have a faculty advisor who is a U.S. citizen
• Participating students may be citizens of any country; however, only U.S. citizens will be allowed to attend the launch
• Letters of intent to participate are due by Feb. 21
• Proposals are due March 27 by 4 p.m. CDT

Visit www.nasa.gov/stemonstation/spocs for more details, and email your questions regarding SPOCS to jsc-stemonstation@mail.nasa.gov.

NASA astronaut Kate Rubins tests a student-designed zip tie cutter tool during training. The zip tie cutter went on to fly to the International Space Station and was used to perform intricate tasks during a series of spacewalks performed to repair the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer. Image Credit: NASA/James Blair