Explore Astrobiology and Life in Extreme Environments
If there is life beyond our planet, what does it look like? Astrobiologists explore that question in part by looking at how organisms have evolved to live in the most extreme environments on Earth.
We will survey locations on Earth where conditions approach the limits of survival – places like Antarctica’s ancient red waterfall, the deadly Crystal Caves in Mexico and the Challenger Deep. Students will learn about adaptations that allow organisms to live in these harsh environments. They will get an introduction to microscopy and examine extremophile microbes such as diatoms, tardigrades and nematodes. We will also look at conditions on some of the potentially habitable planets that astronomers have discovered. Students will design a planet that could sustain life and plan an astrobiology mission to Mars. This inspiring course will prepare students for further studies in astronomy, microbiology and related fields.
What You Will Learn
- Learn about the characteristics of potentially habitable planets beyond Earth
- Explore the conditions that are necessary for life to exist
- Survey extreme environments on Earth, including the Challenger Deep, polar deserts and Crystal Caves of Mexico
- Learn about the adaptations that allow life to survive in these extreme places
- Get an introduction to microscopy and examine extremophile organisms
- Review the history of NASA’s efforts to find extraterrestrial life
- Design a planet that could sustain life and plan an astrobiology mission to Mars
Return to the Sally Ride Science Junior Academy website here.
Course Number: WKSP-90059
Credit: 0.00 unit(s)
+ Expand All
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7/6/2020 - 7/10/2020
$200
In-class
San Diego
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-
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CLASS TYPE:
In-class, Traditional Classroom instruction
Zoumplis, Anna
Anna Zoumplis has been teaching elementary school students for over 32 years. She received her Masters degree in Anthropology from the University of Warsaw, Poland in 1978 and has since worked as a research assistant at Princeton University before beginning her long career in elementary education. Anna's favorite subject to teach is science with a particular interest in space/astrobiology. She was selected to participate in multiple teaching workshops at NASA Langley Research Center where she developed curriculums designed to encourage enthusiasm for science, technology and interplanetary exploration. Anna also loves art and when she's not teaching she can be found painting outside.
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-
POLICIES:
1st meeting mandatory.
Early enrollment advised.
No UCSD parking permit required.
No visitors permitted.
Pre-enrollment required.
No refunds after: 6/29/2020.
-
NOTE:
This is an elementary school level course.
| DATE | DAY | START | END | LOCATION |
|---|
| 7/6/2020 | Mon | 9:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | Room 114, UCSD Extension University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Dr., San Diego |
| 7/7/2020 | Tue | 9:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | Room 114, UCSD Extension University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Dr., San Diego |
| 7/8/2020 | Wed | 9:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | Room 114, UCSD Extension University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Dr., San Diego |
| 7/9/2020 | Thu | 9:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | Room 114, UCSD Extension University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Dr., San Diego |
| 7/10/2020 | Fri | 9:00 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | Room 114, UCSD Extension University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Dr., San Diego |
-
7/6/2020 - 7/10/2020
$200
In-class
San Diego
-
-
-
CLASS TYPE:
In-class, Traditional Classroom instruction
Zoumplis, Anna
Anna Zoumplis has been teaching elementary school students for over 32 years. She received her Masters degree in Anthropology from the University of Warsaw, Poland in 1978 and has since worked as a research assistant at Princeton University before beginning her long career in elementary education. Anna's favorite subject to teach is science with a particular interest in space/astrobiology. She was selected to participate in multiple teaching workshops at NASA Langley Research Center where she developed curriculums designed to encourage enthusiasm for science, technology and interplanetary exploration. Anna also loves art and when she's not teaching she can be found painting outside.
-
-
POLICIES:
1st meeting mandatory.
Early enrollment advised.
No UCSD parking permit required.
No visitors permitted.
Pre-enrollment required.
No refunds after: 6/29/2020.
-
NOTE:
This is a middle school level course.
| DATE | DAY | START | END | LOCATION |
|---|
| 7/6/2020 | Mon | 1:00 p.m. | 4:00 p.m. | Room 114, UCSD Extension University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Dr., San Diego |
| 7/7/2020 | Tue | 1:00 p.m. | 4:00 p.m. | Room 114, UCSD Extension University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Dr., San Diego |
| 7/8/2020 | Wed | 1:00 p.m. | 4:00 p.m. | Room 114, UCSD Extension University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Dr., San Diego |
| 7/9/2020 | Thu | 1:00 p.m. | 4:00 p.m. | Room 114, UCSD Extension University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Dr., San Diego |
| 7/10/2020 | Fri | 1:00 p.m. | 4:00 p.m. | Room 114, UCSD Extension University City Center, 6256 Greenwich Dr., San Diego |
There are no sections of this course currently scheduled. Please contact the Pre-College Programs department at 858-534-0804 or precollege@ucsd.edu for information about when this course will be offered again.