NSSTI's Mobile Earth and Space Observatory (MESO) is an earth and space science S.T.E.M. laboratory being developed in collaboration with the Colorado Springs Science Center. Beginning in 2017, MESO will deploy to underserved Colorado middle schools to engage and excite students underrepresented in STEM higher education programs and career fields, teachers, and local residents with hands-on educational and research activities focused on earth resources, solar energy, air quality and atmospheric studies (including detection and monitoring of forest fires), and weather/climate.

Phase I:

Acquisition and Modification of Vehicle: Phase I is well underway: the purchase has been completed, and modification begun to create a one-of-a-kind specialized vehicle to serve as a traveling optical and solar observatory, weather station, and atmospheric monitoring station. $35,000 will bring Phase I vehicle modification to completion, including installation of a roll-off roof and drop-down telescope mount.

Mobile Lab Vehicle: GMC Van already purchased

Phase IIA:

Equipping Mobile Observatory: MESO will be outfitted with a variety of scientific instruments to allow instruction, hands-on scientific observation, and data collection relating to earth and space sciences. Central to the MESO suite of equipment are the following:

14” PlaneWave open truss optical telescope, used to instruct astronomy and astrophysics. Cost: $15,000.

Two 102mm (4”) Lunt Hydrogen-alpha Solar telescopes for solar observations Cost: $4,000 each, with mounts and Carts costing $3,000 each. Cost $14,000.

Your help is needed now to bring this game-changing mobile STEM laboratory to completion, and to add $2,800 in special solar instrumentation needed for MESO to deploy to Sutton, NE with graduate student interns to make scientific observations of the total solar eclipse which will occur on August 21, 2017.

We’ll employ a digital globe, weather station/weather balloon, climate monitoring equipment, portable planetarium, telescopes, and scientist educators, to create a working science laboratory at the school to provide direct application of the scientific method and hands-on research immersing students in STEM disciplines. During the summer, MESO will connect with the general public through participation in events such as the Colorado Springs Science Festival, where the science and technology can be showcased. Unique to this mobile lab will be the capacity to serve as a remote tasking command center for Pikes Peak Observatory, when it becomes operational. In the meantime, the mobile laboratory will support the Pikes Peak region with technology demonstrations and astronomical observation to educate and inform the general public and tourists when not deployed to schools.

NSSTI is a participating in the process for design and development of a new Pikes Peak Summit House and interpretive displays to inform the general public and tourists on the significance of Pikes Peak historically, culturally and scientifically. Independent studies have validated the benefits of Pikes Peak for optical observing. NSSTI is also a member of the national Mobile Laboratory Coalition, which has validated the efficacy of mobile labs for engaging students in science and sparking an interest that leads to STEM-related careers, preparing them to become the technology workforce of the future.

NSSTI has purchased a vehicle for modification into a mobile laboratory and observatory, and is currently modifying it for its intended uses. We will to use grants from local benefactors and educational foundations to install a slide-off roof and telescope mount, and to acquire scientific and educational components and curriculum to allow it to perform its mission. We have an 8” telescope and mount we plan to upgrade to 14”.