Holiday Closure - Sunday March 31

Please note that all TADL network libraries will be closed on Sunday March 31, 2024.

Exolab

Exolab 2020

What is an ExoLab? ExoLab is an experiment platform that brings together classrooms, three TADL libraries and the International Space Station in a collaborative investigation of the effects of microgravity on living things.

ExoLab Mission 7: The effect of microgravity on Nitrogen-fixing bacteria with cowpeas (aka black-eyed peas).

Join our ExoLab experiment here:

Important Dates: 

The experiment launched on 2/15/2020 aboard NG-13 and will return on 4/2/2020 aboard SpX-20. Following installation on the International Space Station, it will run for 7 – 8 weeks and then be moved to cold storage until return on the Dragon Capsule.

February 15th at 3:43 p.m. Watch the NG-13 launch from Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia on  NASASpaceFlight

The week of February 24th: The ExoLab and ISS Above displays are unveiled at TADL Main, East Bay, and Kingsley libraries.

March 3rd @ 6:30 pm: Astronaut Greg Johnson presentation at the Main Library.

April 2nd: ExoLab 7 returns to Earth (approximate).

 

Image removed.ExoLab Programs at TADL Main Library (February & March): tadl.org/events

  • February 8th: Blast Off! event in Youth Services. Make your own craft rocket, planet Earth, learn about ExoLabs, or watch Storytimes in Space (from the ISS).
  • February 15th: Plant Life event in Youth Services. Explore the nature of plants with us and what plants need to thrive and feed us on planet Earth and beyond.
  • March 5th: Life on the ISS. Youth Services.
  • March 19th: Plant Life in Space. Youth Services.
  • Regular Full STEAM Ahead and MakerSpace programs in February and March will be space- and ExoLab-themed. At our March 17th MakerSpace, we will design our own space mission patches, like the one Magnitude created for the ExoLab 7.

3 important goals of this experiment:

  1. This experiment further explores from earlier ExoLab missions the potential of sustainably cropping in space. 
  2. We will make steps in evaluating if legumes could be potential food crops for human space exploration. If successful, other crops that are nitrogen intensive to grow will have a natural source of nitrogen through the production of excess fixed nitrogen by the Rhizobial nodules of legumes. 
  3. Finally, elevated temperature and carbon dioxide levels on the International Space Station (ISS) will also provide insight into how this important symbiosis may be affected by climate change.

Who can be involved?

  • Anyone, as well as educators and students!
  • ExoLabs are typically distributed in schools across the United States, Canada, South Africa and Germany. TADL is the first public library Magnitude.io has worked with and we are excited to test the public side of citizen science and space curiosity here. 
  • We will collaborate with these schools, through the Magnitude.io platform, in the investigation of the effects of the microgravity environment. Students and the public are able to compare the experiment onboard the International Space Station alongside their own classroom or public library lab, as well as the labs in other schools in the network.
  • Traverse-area educators and community members who are interested in getting involved can sign-up here:

Thank you to Magnitude.io and grant sponsor Michigan Space Grant Consortium for making this amazing space science opportunity a reality.

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