~Science majors leave their mark on Mars: as 0 The names of nine students were scheduled to land on Mars in 2003. Drs. Ed Wilson and James Mackey, physical science professors, and nine science majors visited the Jet Propul– sion Labor~tory in Pasadena, Calif. and the NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, Calif. Aug. 4-1l. Members of the group had their signatures scanned on a microchip that NASA planned to attach to the Mars lander. "It wascool to know that our names would be traveling to Mars on the space craft that we were able to see," senior Ryan Williams said. "We were also able to watch them assemble the landers that w ill hold the two roversdeparting forMars in2003," Wilson said. "The rovers will explore the surface of Mars." NASA p lalU1ed to recover thech ips from Mars and display them in the Sophomore Blake Hirschelder concen– trates while performing a simple distilla– tion experiment during an organic chemis– try lab. Labs helped students get a hands– on feel for the subject matter. (Photo by Lindsey Taliaferro) Freshman Monica Carroll pours a solu– tion to be heated over a Bunsen burner. During this lab, students analyzed how much copper was found in a nickel. (Photo by Rachel Miller) _ . 176 academics Smithsonian Institution. The trip brought valuable lessons, Wilson said. "Itwas a learn– ing experience for only think of space," senior Adam Jacoby said. "They are doing so much research there that affects our day to day life, like world preserva– all of us," Wilson said. "It was amazing to hear these physicists speakon their spe– cialty in their own environment. We heard one speak on h is stud y of grav ity waves "Thetripreallyshowed me that the research I tion a nd th e chemistryofour atmosphere." The Arkan– sas SpaceGrapt Consortium sponsored the trip. University studen t s worked on am doing is important outside of school." -Ryan Williams, rightinfrontofthe space craft that would be testing his theory in space next year." The students met with scientists and visited laboratories to learn about the latest developments in the field. "When people think of NASA they Junior Bill Ganus, senior Ali DeLukie and junior Amanda Ger1ach listen to a presenta– tion at the Jet Propulsion laboratory in Pasa– dena, Calif. Students working on the NASA research projecttraveledtoCalifomiatomeet with leadingscientistsAug. 4-11. (Photocour– tesyof Dr. Ed Wilson) senior Wilson's super:,ision. NASA- related research under "Going to visit the actual research sites gives the students a better appre– ciation for the type of research that NASA does," Wilson said. "OUf country has a tremendous investmen t in the scientific world. OUf trip made the students excited to get started on thei r research back at schooL" While on the trip, they had time to explore the coastline as well. "Wegottotravel upthecoastlineof California and see San Francisco as wellasLosAngeles,"Jacobysaid. "We went to Montgomery Woods, the red– wood forest and saw the tallest tree in the world." Williams worked on developingan instrument to measure the chemicals in rocket exhaust plumes. "The trip really showed me that the research I am doing is important out– side of school/' Williams said. "[ think the trip ultimately helped me set goals to achieve once Jam fin-..... ished with school and ready for....6reer," Williams said. -Klrrle O/./ti/e ...
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