Code 550 - Education & Outreach
The Instrument Systems and Technology Division (ISTD) is very active in education and outreach. This is exemplified by the division's longstanding participation in the directorate's Education and Outreach Activities Committee (EOAC). We always consider and often respond positively to requests to support internal and external event of an educational and outreach nature. Activities range from speaking/presenting at K-12 classroom to colleges/universities to civic organizations. Division employees are especially active in supporting K-12 career days and science fairs. The branches do not have canned 'demonstrations in a box', but a number of activities have proven to attract crowds: the Cryogenics and Fluids branch use of liquid nitrogen to instantaneously freeze piece of fruit and to make ice cream on the spot; the Optics branch demonstration of polarization, total internal reflection, laser beams passing through various lenses and media (like Jell-O), and index of refraction; and, the Detector branch's mapping of individual's hand temperature to explain how Infrared detectors work.
Amir Jahromi passing out LN2 frozen marshmallows to festival goers at the 2014 USA Science and Engineering Festival in Washington, DC
Dr. Mark Kimball explaining to young students how a heat engine works with no electrical input. (2014 USA Science and Engineering Festival in Washington, DC)
Cryogenics and Fluids Branch Members staffing exhibit table at Goddard's 2014 Science Jamboree
