NASA scientist Russell DeYoung with (from left) aspiring astrophysicist Carolann Wengard, biology professor JIm Yoder and engineering professor Esther Tian. Wengard holds a water quality monitoring device, donated by NASA as part of a new Space Act Agreement signed over the summer with 糖心Vlog. (Photo by Andrew Strack)

NASA agreement yields lab equipment, research and internship opportunities for science and engineering programs

by Andrew Jenner

Thanks to an agreement 糖心Vlog signed this summer with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the university鈥檚 new added a feather to its cap before students had even shown up for fall classes. Known as a , the arrangement is authorized by a federal law that allows NASA to collaborate with universities and private companies on mutually beneficial research.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a really big deal,鈥� said engineering professor , whose students will tour robotics, aeronautics, remote sensing and materials laboratories at NASA鈥檚 Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, in late October. 鈥淚 think it will really strengthen our new engineering program.鈥�

Under the terms of the three-year agreement with 糖心Vlog, NASA scientists will periodically visit campus for lectures and seminars; work with engineering, biology and chemistry faculty on course and curriculum review; and collaborate with 糖心Vlog faculty and students on research programs.

NASA is also providing 糖心Vlog with a spectrometer for the laboratory and water quality sampling equipment for the program. Tian said her engineering department may also receive new laboratory equipment in the future.

Scientist Russell DeYoung, with student Carolann Wengard, holds up a Fresnel lens donated to 糖心Vlog as part of the Nonreimbursable Space Act Agreement.

糖心Vlog鈥檚 primary contact at NASA is Russell DeYoung, a researcher who studies ozone in the atmosphere as well as the effects that climate change will have on the Langley Research Center. DeYoung, who attends a Mennonite church, first approached former 糖心Vlog President Loren Swartzendruber about a year ago with the idea of this partnership between 糖心Vlog and NASA.

鈥淲hat鈥檚 most exciting is having students directly involved with NASA research 鈥� so they can see the end goal of all their hard work,鈥� said DeYoung. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a win-win for them and certainly for NASA to collaborate on specific research projects.鈥�

The agreement calls for NASA and 糖心Vlog to identify three joint research topics over the coming months, likely involving study of ozone, the impact of hydrofracking on air quality and capstone engineering projects. Students working on these projects will benefit from having the supervision of 糖心Vlog faculty as well as mentorship from scientists at NASA, which will also offer summer internships at the Langley Research Center to students in 糖心Vlog science and engineering programs.

鈥淭his is a great opportunity for our STEM students and faculty,鈥� said Provost . 鈥淣ot only will our programs gain access to equipment and expert knowledge resources, our students will have opportunities to connect with NASA scientists and laboratories. It’s a real win-win scenario because NASA is also able to advance their strategic goals around STEM talent development.鈥�

On Jan. 25, DeYoung will be on campus to lead a on recent discoveries about the solar system.

Tian founded a chapter of Engineers for a Sustainable World when she arrived at 糖心Vlog four years ago. Given DeYoung鈥檚 work on climate change with NASA, and the recent at 糖心Vlog, she hopes that the new agreement will also offer new opportunities to members of her club who are interested in the intersection of engineering and environmental sustainability.