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Thursday, July 31, 2008

Astronauts and Cosmonauts at the UW

The Association of Space Explorers is holding its annual Planetary Congress in Seattle, September 15 to September 20, 2008, titled Exploring Space - Inspiring Planetary Stewardship.

The University of Washington is pleased to participate in the Planetary Congress by hosting panel discussions on Tuesday, September 16, 2008, in Meany Hall. Please mark your calendars for these exciting events:

-- Astronauts and cosmonauts from Europe, Russia, Canada, and the United States will discuss their countries' space programs during the Space Program Review panel from 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
-- Panelists will discuss the effects of space and air travel on human health during the Human Health for Long Duration Exploration seminar from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The presentations are free and open to the public. They are sponsored by the School of Medicine, College of Engineering, and Office of the President. This is only the third time since 1985 that the Planetary Congress has been held in the United States. Please contact Gail Gautestad at 206-616-9733 with questions about the panel presentations at the University of Washington.
From: Dean Paul Ramsey, School of Medicine and Dean Matt O'Donnell, College of Engineering


posted by Kristen Bergsman at 10:08 AM | 0 comments

Friday, July 11, 2008

Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter in the Mountains






A hike last weekend reminded me how the seasons all collide together in the mountains. This time of the year, it is spring! You can tell because the skunk cabbage and trillium are just starting to bloom, the lady fern is unfurling its fronds, and the creeks and waterfalls are swollen with snowmelt.

No, wait, it is summer. The sure sign is the alpine fields covered in wildflowers and that honeyed-sweet smell that the air gets as you cross a high elevation meadow.

Just kidding! It's fall. A crisp breeze blows down the valley forcing you to shrug on a sweater.

Wait, it's winter. Snow fields dot the landscape starting at surprisingly low elevations and then, completely consume the trail so that the only choice is to turn back toward home. It is my favorite season in the mountains: Spring/Summer/Winter.


posted by Kristen Bergsman at 11:52 AM | 0 comments

Finding Nature in NYC






There's nothing quite as satisifying, and at the same time strange, as fulfilling my nature-lust in New York City.

In early June, I got to put a great big checkmark on one of the items on my life list: a trip to the American Museum of Natural History. For five hours, I prowled the halls and exhibits of the museum, drunk from the detailed dioramas, articulated skeletons, fossils, gemstones, replicas, and so much more. It was spectacular.

A few days later, a NYC friend and I made our way to Evolution Nature Store in SoHo where I had a very unusal shopping list: muskrat skull, native silver nugget, dried starfish, fossilized sand dollar, butterfly wing, and a slab of slate filled with ammonite fossils. Ah, heaven!


posted by Kristen Bergsman at 11:42 AM | 0 comments

Monday, July 07, 2008

Plants in Space Design Challenge

PLANTS IN SPACE (K-12)
Plant growth will be an important part of space exploration in the future. NASA scientists anticipate that astronauts may be able to grow plants on the moon, and the plants could be used to supplement meals. Through the NASA Engineering Design Challenge, K-12 students will design, build, and evaluate lunar plant growth chambers. They will also receive cinnamon basil seeds flown last year on the space shuttle Endeavour and test lunar growth chambers by growing and comparing both space-flown and Earth-based control seeds. To register and receive more information, click here.
From: NASA


posted by Kristen Bergsman at 3:19 PM | 0 comments