Mars Education Student Data Teams (MESDT)

What is MESDT?

Through the Mars Exploration Student Data Teams (MESDT), students (high school through college) join with Mars scientists to analyze real data from Mars. NASA and Arizona State University’s Mars Education Program is offering students nationwide the opportunity to be involved in authentic Mars research by participating in the Mars Exploration Student Data Teams (MESDT).

Teams of students in high school through college will have the opportunity to work with scientists, mission planners and educators on the collection and analysis of data as it is downloaded from instruments currently orbiting mars.

Overall, the goals of MESDT are to:

  • Expand the opportunity to perform authentic Mars research with high school students;
  • Provide education and outreach to as broad an audience as possible;
  • Include as many diverse groups as possible;
  • Take student-directed research to the next level.

There is no charge to participate in MESDT!

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Getting Started

This list gives you a general overview of what you will want to do as you get started in your participation of MESDT.

  • Teams must consist of at least 1 lead adult facilitator
  • All must be US Citizens
  • Form your teams. In creating teams, include as many students as possible. We encourage teachers to expand the group size to share the opportunity with as many students as possible – even if they aren’t your “best and brightest." We're looking for an interest in space, Earth science, or engineering. We’ve found a classroom-sized group is ideal, but smaller (and dedicated!) groups can thrive as well.
  • Download the MESDT application
  • Incorporate hands-on activities that will help your students develop their project
  • Participate in optional monthly teleconferences/video-conferences to increase teacher and student background knowledge about Mars

Forum

The MESDT Forum helps teams connect with each other and helps get important questions answered.

Go There Now

Links

Check here for Mars links that will help you with your work!

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
CRISM
HiRISE
THEMIS
TES
MSIP
NASA/JPL
Planetary Photojournal
Daily Martian Weather Report
ASTER Spectral Library

Software Requirements

• Daily access to email (both students and teacher);

• At least 1 Internet-connected computer (Mac or PC)

• Access to a telephone that can dial 1-800 numbers and has a speaker phone that can be muted

• Support of a school technology/computer officer or administrator Email: Both the teacher and the students should have daily access to email during the week since updates are sent out on a very regular basis and often require a response. Either school or personal accounts (such as Yahoo) are acceptable.