Description:

       HEMISPHERE will become an integral part of the space physics communities education and outreach activities at the pre-college level and will enable High School students to participate meaningfully in space physics research. In addition to space physics, the students will be designing a magnetometer, engaging them in the engineering process.

Hemisphere is a Distributed Research Center. Setting the stage for a unique type of learning experience. It's not just for the top scientists and engineers, but for students of all ages.  What separates Hemisphere from being a collaborative classroom to a D.R.C. (Distributed Research Center) is that we are exploring, learning, improving , evolving, and doing actual research. Our students aren't simply building a predetermined instrument, and recording prerecorded data. They are actively involved in the engineering design process, and a critical part of a scientific research team.  The bottom line is that " professional " scientists and engineers don't have all the answers.  It will only be through the combined effort of each member of our student research team that we can hope to reach our full potential.

  The magnetometer development has four phases:

Phase 1: The Quebec Incident was a real world,  space physics and engineering problem. It helps the students answer the "Why"  type questions, and gives a focus and reference to the design and development of the magnetometer.

Phase 2: In the first stage of phase 2, you will break the magnetometer down into its key components. You will then perform labs to understand and test those components. In the second stage of phase 2, you will be assembling the key components into the magnetometer.

Phase 3: In the first stage of phase 3, you will be testing , and evaluating the assembled magnetometer. In the second stage of phase 3, you will be  deploying and evaluating the data from the magnetometer.

Phase 4: Redesign the magnetometer to improve performance.  As we are establishing our benchmark array, we will be continuously working to improve its performance, and capability. As is often true in scientific research, the answers we get today will open the door to more difficult questions tomorrow.

Your time each day can be broken down into three interlinked elements:

 Element 1: Activities,  We have developed an engaging sequence of activities.  The activities are designed to teach the concepts which are utilized in the operation of the magnetometer. These activities will start in phase 1 from the very basics of engineering and physics.  They will advance to development and deployment of a magnetometer.

Element 2: Discussions As you do the Activities, you will need to acquire new skills, and knowledge. You will be gathering new information. The discussions are designed to support the activities.  

Element 3: Notebook and Assessment. As you do the activities and acquire new knowledge you will be recording it in your digital notebook. Every aspect of your progress should be recorded in your digital notebook. This notebook will be used to assess and document the students progress.

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