Tomoko Bell, PhD
2024 seed grant awardee
Project description
Developing computer-based STEM camp educational material to visualize possible human migration to Mars
This project will develop an interactive STEM curriculum for middle and high school students, exploring human migration to Mars through analog studies of Earth caves. Central to the curriculum is a Cherokee girl who explores caves and leads a Mars migration project, introducing key scientific concepts while honoring Cherokee cultural beliefs. This interdiciplinary/interactive curriculum will introduce an important concept of analogue study to K12 students.
It will debut at PARI's space camp: Above and Beyond Mission Control: Martian Frontier summer STEM camp, with potential adaptations for other camps. This curriculum aims to spark interest in STEM careers and support NASA’s Transform to Open Science initiative.
Target Audience Age
| 0-4 | 5-10 | 11-14 | 14-18 | 19-22 | 23-26 | 27-99 |
NASA division
Planetary
Grant status
Learning Context
Digital Learning
Neighborhood /
Community
Informal /
Out of School
Home / Family
Citizen Science
Formal Education
SME bio
Our hope is to ignite their curiosity and passion to science, so we can assist raising future generation of scientists who are mindful.
Tomoko Bell, PhD
Developing computer-based STEM camp educational material to visualize possible human migration to Mars PIAssistant Professor, Division of Science and Mathematics
Newman University
Dr. Tomoko Bell is an Assistant Professor of Science and Mathematics at Newman University. Originally from Tokyo, Japan, she holds a Ph.D. in Earth and Planetary Science from the University of Tokyo. Her research explores extremophiles, marine biology, and the search for life on other planets. Passionate about making science inclusive, she has worked as a Subject Matter Expert for NASA’s TOPS initiative and participated in NASA’s Biosignature Ideation Lab and JPL Planetary Science Summer School. Dr. Bell is committed to empowering students through STEM education and inspiring the next generation of scientists.
SciAct Team
Smokey Mountain STEM collaborative description
The Smoky Mountains STEM Collaborative is a STEM education ecosystem project serving learners in the southern Appalachians of western North Carolina.
They work with learners from a diverse population, including enrolled members of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians and many first-generation college students. These learners are underrepresented not only in STEM fields, but higher education in general. Their continuing mission is to expand and engage the region's public schools, tribal schools, community colleges, and universities in a cohesive, learner-centered STEM ecosystem that leverages Subject Matter Experts (SME's) and science centers to achieve NASA's mission to help learners of all ages "do" science in their own communities.
This [project] supports our needs by connecting local partners with subject matter experts - something that continues to be a challenge for our boots-on-the-ground crew due to the time and connections required to facilitate meaningful work.