Aquarius featured in Earth Science Summer Educator Institute at NASA's JPL - 07.17.2013

In July 2013, Aquarius participated in a week-long Earth Science Summer Educator Institute entitled “Stability and Change in Earth Systems," held at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Thirty-five, 4th, 5th and 6th grade teachers from seven school districts in Southern California participated. The Institute was facilitated for JPL by the K-12 Alliance/WestEd.

Scientists and outreach specialists from several NASA missions, including Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE), GRACE Follow-On, Ocean Surface Topography Mission/Jason-2, Jason-3, SMAP (Soil Moisture Active Passive), Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2, and AirMOSS (Airborne Microwave Observatory of Subcanopy & Subsurface Mission) presented mission information, and educational activities tied to the Next Generation Science Standards, which the teachers will integrate into lessons and activities in their classrooms.

Dr. Jorge Vazquez gave an Aquarius science overview presentation and also helped with hands-on demonstrations of the "Effects of Temperature and Salinity on Density and Stratification" and "Convection." In addition, the educators are being trained to use two Aquarius on-line tools: "Analyzing Monthly Environmental Data" and "Spatial Patterns of Salinity, Temperature, and Density."

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