Students at Metropolitan Community College in Omaha are participating in a unique national program that will see their scientific research launched into orbit. As part of the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program, teams are designing microgravity experiments, with one ultimately being selected to fly to the International Space Station.
This initiative, known as Mission 21, provides a rare opportunity for community college students to engage in high-level, hands-on scientific research that has real-world applications beyond Earth's atmosphere. The program connects educational institutions with space industry organizations to foster the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Key Takeaways
- Metropolitan Community College in Omaha is one of a select group of schools participating in the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program.
- Student teams are developing experiments to study the effects of microgravity on various materials and biological processes.
- One winning experiment from the college will be selected to launch to the International Space Station as part of Mission 21.
- The program aims to provide invaluable, hands-on research experience typically unavailable at the community college level.
A Gateway to Space for Community College Students
At Metropolitan Community College (MCC), the laboratories are buzzing with an energy that extends far beyond the campus grounds. Students are meticulously designing and proposing experiments, not for a typical class project, but for a mission destined for the International Space Station (ISS).
MCC's participation in the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP) marks a significant step for the institution. It is one of only a few dozen schools nationwide chosen for Mission 21, placing its students in an elite group with a direct line to orbital research.
The program challenges student teams to think like professional researchers. They must conceptualize, design, and propose an experiment that can operate within the unique conditions of microgravity. The goal is to explore how zero gravity affects everything from chemical reactions to the behavior of living cells.
The Challenge of Microgravity Research
Designing an experiment for space is a complex task with strict limitations. Each proposed project must fit inside a small, specialized capsule, a fluids mixing enclosure (FME) mini-laboratory. This constraint forces students to be innovative and precise in their scientific approach.
Kendra Sibbernsen, a scientist and instructor at the college, highlighted the program's structure. "This is a program where Metro has said that they would assign a competition for student teams to design experiments," she explained. The competitive nature ensures that the proposals are well-researched and scientifically sound.
"One of those will be sent to the International Space Station. Actually doing science is incomparable; it's amazing to think about an experiment from the ground up."
This process provides an experience that textbooks cannot replicate. Students learn about formal proposal writing, experimental design, and the rigorous review process that defines professional scientific endeavors.
From Classroom to Orbit
The Student Spaceflight Experiments Program is a U.S. national STEM education initiative. Since its inception, it has provided more than 100,000 students across the country the opportunity to design and propose real microgravity experiments for flight to the ISS.
Fulfilling a 'Kid's Dream' Through Science
For many students involved, the program is more than just an academic exercise; it's the realization of a lifelong fascination with space. The opportunity to contribute to a real space mission has been a powerful motivator.
Carrin Ledwich, a student at MCC, shared her enthusiasm for the project. "I think it’s really cool that we get the opportunity to do something like this, especially at a community college here in Omaha," she said. The accessibility of such a high-caliber program at the community college level is a key aspect of its impact.
Ledwich's sentiment captures the excitement that permeates the project teams.
"I think that it’s super cool, kind of like a kid’s dream to, like, do anything to do with space. So yeah, I’m excited to see what can happen."
This sense of wonder is coupled with serious scientific inquiry. The students are not just dreaming; they are actively working to solve complex problems and contribute new knowledge to the scientific community. Their work could have implications for future space travel, materials science, or medicine.
What is Mission 21?
Mission 21 is the twenty-first flight opportunity offered through the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program. It represents a partnership between educational institutions, space industry organizations like NanoRacks, and NASA. The program's core objective is to inspire and engage the next generation of scientists and engineers by providing authentic research experiences.
The Broader Impact of Hands-On Learning
The SSEP initiative at MCC demonstrates a modern approach to STEM education. By moving beyond theoretical classroom learning, the program immerses students in the practical realities of scientific research. This hands-on experience is critical for developing problem-solving skills and a deeper understanding of the scientific method.
The process includes several key stages:
- Experiment Design: Teams brainstorm and develop a viable microgravity experiment.
- Proposal Writing: Students must write a formal proposal outlining their scientific objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes.
- Peer Review: A local review board at MCC vets the proposals, selecting the top candidates.
- National Selection: The top proposals are sent to a national review board, which makes the final selection for the flight to the ISS.
This structure mirrors the process used by professional scientists seeking research grants and opportunities. According to educators involved, this experience is invaluable for students planning to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
Later this year, one experiment from MCC will be officially selected for Mission 21. That winning project will be prepared for launch, eventually joining other experiments aboard the ISS, where astronauts will conduct it on behalf of the students. For one team from Omaha, their work will not just reach for the stars—it will orbit among them.