Aerospace Exploration

GUIDE TO AEROSPACE EXPLORATION

The Basics  WHO: High school students and their teachers (9th - 12th grade)  WHAT: A competition to create an innovative product for use in aerospace exploration  HOW: It’s all online with professional guidance, and the opportunity to attend the Summit at NASA  WHY: Contribute to aerospace exploration and development!

The Competition  STEP ONE (8/1/09 – 12/15/09) 1. Register individually 2. Create/join a team  STEP TWO 1. Use online resources to learn about aerospace products and exploration  STEP THREE (12/15/09 Deadline) 1. Submit Competition Documents: Technical Concept Report, Business Plan, Graphic Concept Representation TEAMS WHO GAINED HIGHEST SCORES OUT OF 25 POINTS WILL BE SELECTED AS FINALISTS AND NOTIFIED BY JANUARY 8, 2010

Selecting Finalists & Other Info  Selecting Finalists

1. Finalists will be scored on Technical Concept Report, Business Plan, Graphic Concept Representation

 Receive

1. Matching Grant (2/19/10): Conrad Foundation will provide each Finalist team with a grant in the amount equal to what they have raised through their online profile up to $1000. 2. Recognition certificates, Promotional media opportunities, Invitation to the Innovation Summit and Final awards competition

 Online Information

1. Teams will also have the opportunity to raise money through their profile donation page until 2/19/10 2. Teams will have the opportunity to recognize any of their sponsors on their online profile

Finalists Program  STEP ONE (1/8/10-3/26/10)

1. Finalists are required to fill out an acknowledgement form (for coaches to fill out), create a video (information on team’s concept) and logo, Team profile information (overview of team and their project for team to reach out to public and gain votes for final awards), Blog Posts (at least three posts of the teams’ journey with the competition) 2. Next Step Plan (3/26/2010): To describe how students will use the $5,000 if they win, included in the plan is: Statement of Work, R&D Process, Itemized Budget, Timeline (Advisers will assist with Next Step Plan) 3. Teams are provided with a professional team of advisers to help refine both their project and presentation

 STEP TWO (4/8/10-4/12/10)

1. Attend and Present at the Innovation Summit at NASA Ames Research Center, Mountain View, California PETE CONRAD SCHOLARS ARE SELECTED BASED ON HIGHEST SCORES OUT OF 90 JUDGING POINTS AND 10 PUPBLIC VOTING POINTS (100 TOTAL). THEY WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE SUMMIT

Selecting Pete Conrad Scholars & Other Info  Selecting Pete Conrad Scholars 1. Laureates will be scored on their Technical and Business presentations at the Summit, and their Next Step Plan and Public Vote

 Receive

1. $5,000 Next Step Grant, Recognition Medallions, School Plaque, Promotional Media Opportunities, Presentation Invitations, Portal Consideration, Sigma Xi Associate Membership

Laureate Team Rules 1. Laureate Acknowledgement Form 3. Portal Request 5. Phase A Report (results of summer work and next steps in their project due 9/17/10)