Description:

For seminar 8 (May 13, 2009), the American Physiological Society provided our featured expert, Dr. Jim Pawelczyk, Associate Professor of Physiology, Kinesiology and Medicine at Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Pawelczyk has had extensive experience as an astronaut and researcher on the effects of microgravity on the human body.

Missions to Mars would require humans to travel well beyond the current record of 15 months by a Russian astronaut, and doubling that length to nearly 30 months. Factors such as the environment, bone repair and growth, radiation, psychological stamina, and other influences play a critical role towards achieving this goal. Data from previous missions such as the International Space Station and Skylab have helped in determining how to address these challenges, but Pawelczyk points out the need to inspire today's students to realize the solutions and possibilities of such travel since they will be our astronauts, engineers, and scientists of tomorrow.

The National Science Teachers Association and NSDL present a monthly series of web seminars for the 2008-2009 school year for teacher professional development that showcase NSDL experts and resources.

• American Physiological Society
• Seminar reference list of online materials discussed in the seminar
• Powerpoint Slides of Presentation and Seminar Archive

Be sure to check out the archive from this year's seminars.

Description2: Date: Wednesday May 13, 2009
Time: 6:30-8:00 p.m. Eastern
Title: APS: Studying the Human Physiological Limits of Exploring Mars
Presenters: Dr. Jim Pawelczyk.