Theresa Oehmke, PhD
2025 Seed Grant Awardee
Project Description
Space Turbulence
Space Turbulence: Elucidating the Sun-Earth Connection through Digital Learning Experiences is a project aiming to develop heliophysics education digital learning tools for learners in upper-level high school and beyond. Space Turbulence will create an interactive heliophysics lesson following NASA HEAT’s framework for heliophysics education for advanced learners with topics focusing on plasma and solar wind. These topics align with the UNH-lead NASA mission, Helioswarm.
At UNH, Helioswarm is based out of the Space Science Center (SSC). This center will be the focal point of the digital learning tools created. The heliophysics education lesson will be embedded within a “go at your own pace” virtual tour hosted by SciAct team Infiniscope. Within the virtual tour, we will embed “Interview a Scientist” activities highlighting SMEs from the SSC. Throughout the process, best practices will be maintained so we can share these with other researchers and faculty members in the community.
Target Audience Age
| 0-4 | 5-10 | 11-14 | 14-18 | 19-22 | 23-26 | 27-99 |
NASA Division
Heliophysics
Grant Status
Learning Context
Digital Learning
Neighborhood /
Community
Informal /
Out of School
Home / Family
Citizen Science
Formal Education
SME Bio
One major outcome I’m hoping to accomplish is to have more NASA SMEs explain turbulence and its importance to the public. Turbulence is essential for life, and I would love for people to understand the benefits of turbulent flow!
Theresa Oehmke, PhD
Space Turbulence PI
Assistant Professor
University of New Hampshire
Dr. Theresa Oehmke is an Assistant Professor at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) in the Mechanical Engineering Department. Her research area is the transport of particulates and contaminants in turbulent flows. She recently finished a postdoctoral position as a Postdoctoral Diversity and Innovation Scholar at UNH, also in Mechanical Engineering. She received my PhD at UC Berkeley in Environmental Engineering, and was advised by Professor Evan Variano.
SciAct Team
Infiniscope Description
Infiniscope is a NASA-funded project that is transforming Earth and space science education and empowering educators through the creation of high-quality adaptive digital learning experiences, educator professional development, a community of practice, creative tools for designing digital content, and a robust set of educator resources.
