"Space Farming"
Plants are an important component for space-based and extraterrestrial life support systems. Just as they do on Earth, plants in a regenerative life support system can take carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and produce breathable oxygen through a process called photosynthesis. Through another process, called evapotranspiration, plants can produce clean, potable water. Of course, plants are also a source of food. So, in theory, plants could provide three essential elements needed for humans to live in space: oxygen to breathe, water to drink, and food to eat. Before plants can deliver these essentials, however, NASA must learn how to grow plants in space, and how to incorporate them and other biological components into life support system research facilities, here on Earth.  Check out the learning module.

"Rocks from Space"
Scientists who study our solar system look at rocks from space -- meteorite -- to reveal the secrets of its beginning. Many of these rocky space transients are as old as our solar system and hold valuable information about the processes and events that long ago transformed a nebulous cloud of gas and dust into the system of planets that we know today.  The presenters of this module are NASA scientists who are actively engaged in looking for clues about the history of our neighboring planets, including the search for evidence of life that may possibly exist on those remote locales, or that may have existed in the past.  Check out the learning module.

"X-38"
Astronauts who live and work aboard the International Space Station must have a means to return to Earth in case an emergency arises when the Space Shuttle is not present. To meet that need, an integrated team of designers, technicians, and engineers developed the X-38 as the “emergency lifeboat” for the International Space Station. As a spacecraft, the X-38 is both evolutionary and revolutionary. It is cleverly designed using older technology, off-the-shelf technology, and new technologies. Students will get a glimpse of the technical challenges faced by the X-38’s designers and the solutions they found.  Check out the learning module. 

"Space Food"
Astronauts who explore space are restricted to food items they can take with them. They do not have ports to call upon for fresh provisions nor do they have opportunities to cultivate or hunt their own foods. By learning how food is selected, transported, and prepared for missions of space exploration, we can better understand how nutrition is important not only for astronauts but for all humans as well. In this learning module, students will learn about the foods astronauts eat in space to maintain proper nutrition and how those foods have evolved over the past forty years.  Check out the learning module.

"Robotics"
We've all seen robots in movies, on televison, and in science fiction magazines, performing tasks that range from the mundane to the extraordinary. We often fail to recognize how robots and automated systems are already doing work for us and helping make our lives more convenient if not easier. NASA already uses robotics technology to great extent in its exploration of space and students and teachers can learn about NASA’s use of robots from professionals who are designing and building the robotic systems that will help humans explore the universe. Learn how NASA defines robotics, see how robotic systems are already widely used in the space program and what plans there are for future robotic applications.  Check out the learning module.

"BIO-Plex"
Earth is the only planet in our solar system capable of supporting human life. Its unique atmosphere creates a biosphere on the planet that provides the air, water, food, and other environmental necessities required for human existence. As humans venture away from Planet Earth to explore the vastness of space they will continue to require these vital resources if they are to survive.  At NASA’s Johnson Space Center, scientists, engineers, technicians, and other skilled professionals in the Advanced Life Support Program are already seeking the solutions to such challenges in a facility called BIO-Plex.  By participating in this distance learning module, students will receive a close-up look at BIO-Plex and will have an opportunity to learn why the BIO-Plex is critical to the future of human space exploration.  Check out the learning module.

"Effects of Space on the Human Body"
The human body is designed for and functions best in the presence of Earth’s gravity. In space, astronauts enter an environment we call microgravity, which affects the body in many way, including changes to the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and neurovestibular systems. As humans explore further into space, it is vitally important that we understand the effects of spaceflight on the human body and prevent or mitigate the adverse effects so that astronauts can spend longer periods of time in space.  Check out the learning module.

"Microgravity"
Join us on an expedition to the world of microgravity. Often misperceived as weightlessness or zero gravity, microgravity is the unique gravitational environment astronauts experience on a spacecraft orbiting the earth. It is a condition that challenges humans who work and live in space, and that benefits many types of scientific research by freeing it from restrictions imposed by Earth's gravity for thousands of years.  Once students are familiar with the basics of microgravity, they will connect to the NASA Johnson Space Center for a live interactive video teleconference. During the video conference, students will learn through real-time interactive demonstrations how certain scientific principles are altered in the microgravity environment. They will learn how the microgravity of space will be exploited aboard the International Space Station to open a new era of scientific discovery that will have important implications for life on Earth.  Check out the learning module.

"Globes, Maps and ISS"
In this module, the International Space Station becomes a means to teach basic geography skills. For the next 10 years the ISS will orbit Earth along a path inclined 51.6 degrees to the Equator, which will take it over practically all inhabited areas of our planet. By studying the movements of the ISS students will learn about maps and globes and their value as geographic tools. In a similar fashion, the participation and cooperation of nations from around the word provides an excellent backdrop for the identification of continents, countries, natural and human-made features, and culture.  Check out the learning module.

"Imagery from Space"
Many of us have seen photos of the Earth taken from the Space Shuttle and have marveled at their beautiful vistas. Such imagery will continue to be collected as the International Space Station becomes operational, providing a permanent platform for remote sensing. At NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, Earth scientists study images of Earth from geographic and scientific points of view, and their investigations reveal telling facts about our planet and its processes. Data acquired by astronauts and made available on the internet by NASA help the general public, city officials, etc. to make decisions about where to live, how to vote, where to build our communities, how to plan our future and much, much more. Scientists at the Johnson Space Center bring geography to life, giving it meaning beyond the rote memorization of countries and states and their capitals.  Check out the learning module.

"Careers"
The NASA Johnson Space Center Careers learning presentation provides students a look inside one of our country’s most high-profile organizations. During the event, students will receive first-hand information about NASA career opportunities straight from a NASA Human Resources representative. They will be able to ask questions, plus learn about the wide variety of occupations that help to make the human exploration of space a reality. They’ll also gain knowledge about education and training requirements, and even salary information as well.  Check out the learning module.

"Space Explorers"
Each month the Association of Space Explorers will arrange for a current or fomer astronaut to give a presentation on a topic of his or her choice.

"Astronomy"
The study of astronomy takes you to the farthest reaches of space and the innermost depths of matter and from the earliest beginning of time to the future billions of years from now. This presentation will introduce you to the wonders of the entire universe. We hope that this presentation will pique your interest in learning more about astronomy by taking a course, or reading about it, or searching the sky from your backyard with binoculars or telescope (or even better, at star parties on a mountain far from the city lights with your local astronomy club). 

"ISS Virtual Tour"
The ISS Virtual Tour is a live interactive video teleconference that showcases the International Space Station.  Before the video conference begins, students are provided with information about the origins of NASA, its mandate to explore space, the mission of the Johnson Space Center and a brief review of human space flight to prepare them for their visit.  During the video conference, students are introduced to the International Space Station's full-size training mock up. While inside one of the science research modules, they'll take part in an interactive discussion about the Space Station's purpose: the unique research environment it provides scientists. The ISS Virtual Tour also includes a visit to the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, a huge swimming pool where astronauts train to walk in space. You'll also see inside the Russian-built Service Module where the International Space Station's first permanent residents will live. Finally, we'll investigate the types of food astronauts eat in space and then close the tour with a question and answer session.  Check out the learning module.