In 2004 Orion’s Quest piloted the first of four C. elegans studies with 12 schools from around the country participating.  Because the Space Shuttle program was grounded at that time, OQ Missions I and II were Earth based studies.  With the resumption of shuttle flights in 2005 the C. elegans investigation was delivered to the International Space Station and became space based.  During OQ Missions III and IV nearly 10,000 students contributed to the research of NASA scientist Dr. Cassie Conley and Dr. Nate Szewczyk.  Using thousands of photographs downlinked from space and from a ground based comparison study students analyzed changes in the population and growth rates of the C.elegans and submitted their data to the Principle Investigators for the study.  (See OQ Mission III description for additional details).        

Now, using all curriculum materials and photographs obtained from that original study, this VIRTUAL MISSION allows students to:

• Learn about a model organism (C. elegans) being used by NASA to gain valuable information about the effect of prolonged stays in space on humans.      
• Discover new computer software and apply it to the counting and measuring of worm populations using photos from the original space and ground based comparison studies.
• Learn firsthand what real world researchers do in gathering and evaluating data.         
• Apply the scientific method to authentic space-based investigations.
• Use the internet to access information and data, and submit findings to the databases of Orion’s Quest scientists.
• Explore beyond the normal classroom curriculum.

Beginning fall of 2008 this mission is available at anytime for participating teachers.  The program can easily be adapted to any setting where internet connectivity is available including, classroom investigation, after school clubs, homework activity, extra credit option, summer program, or other.  Students will receive Certificates of Participation.