Simulation on Mars - Mars Desert Research Station ERAU Crew 160 Rotation

The Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) is a research program which is owned and operated by the Mars Society. MDRS is a space analog facility located in Hanksville, Utah that hosts field seasons that are two weeks long where professional scientists as well as undergraduate students may attend. The relative isolation of the facility allowed for rigorous field studies for research in a two week simulation that acts as if the crew members are conducting a real expedition on Mars. Participants are assigned specific roles and tasks that are typically aligned with their research topics as well as their educational backgrounds. Six students were selected from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to attend in December of 2015. Two main studies were conducted at the station which included memory tracking in isolated environments which included survey questions as well as timed puzzles to observe any consequences, and monitoring solar radiation levels and the corresponding consequences on personality/characteristic

The Mars Desert Research Station - ERAU Crew 160 Expedition

The Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) is a research program which is owned and operated by the Mars Society. The MDRS is located in Hanksville, Utah which hosts simulations that are typically two weeks long for professional scientists and engineers as well as college students of all levels, in training for human operations specifically on Mars. This space analog facility is in isolation, allowing for rigorous field studies regarding research that represents a true mission as if the crew members are conducting a real expedition on Mars. Participants are assigned specific roles and tasks that are typically aligned with their research topics as well as their educational backgrounds. Six students were selected from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to attend in December of 2015. Two main studies were conducted at the station which included memory tracking in isolated environments and the monitoring of solar radiation levels with the corresponding consequences on personality/characteristic traits. The results showed that the isolated environment as well as social factors may have attributed to the data obtained, including induced stress that may have occurred from daily tasks

Alternative Spring Break – Costa Rica

Currently, Embry-Riddle students not in a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field do not have the opportunity to use the scientific method and see real world applications. Therefore, we are purpose to send a group of seven students to Costa Rica on an alternative spring break trip to help with sea turtle research. The trip will be broken into three major learning objectives: expose students to the scientific method, environmentalism/conservation, and volunteerism. Students will be expected to attend pre-trip workshops on the learning objectives and apply them to their trip through journaling. This opportunity will give students exposure to the research methodology and a chance to see how individual’s acts can have a positive impact on the world in which they live