Multinational Youth Studying Practical Applications of Climatic Events (M.Y. S.P.A.C.E.) Program is an international collaboration of students in grades 7-12 engaged in self-selected research projects on the local impact of global environmental issues. Students work with their own, trained teachers at their school sites using both locally generated and satellite-based remote-sensing data with support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and industry partners. Teams from each school meet at the annual Satellites & Education Conference to discover global trends in their collective data and present their findings. Students learn and practice techniques of scientific investigation; methods of data processing, analysis and interpretation; teamwork and leadership; and effective communication. They work with NOAA and NASA scientists and engineers an university researchers, experience university campus life, and learn of graduate research opportunities in Geosciences and Environment.
The M.Y. S.P.A.C.E. program has demonstrated a significant impact on the career goals of participating high school students. Surveys of the students conducted by their teachers before the students joined the program and by the conference at the conclusion of the program year clearly indicate decidedly increased interest in science, math, engineering, and technology (STEM) related careers. The results of surveys made of students in the 2011-2012 and the 2012-2013 program years are shown here.
| Before M.Y. S.P.A.C.E. | After M.Y. S.P.A.C.E. | Growth | ||
| Career Choices | STEM | 5 | 37 | + 640% |
| Medical-Related | 7 | 10 | + 43% | |
| Non-STEM | 4 | 3 | - 25% | |
| Undecided | 50 | 16 | - 68% |
The M.Y. S.P.A.C.E. Program is an initiative of the Satellites & Education Conference and produced by the non-profit Satellite Educators Association, Inc. (SEA). It is administered from the campus of California State University, Los Angeles. The M.Y. S.P.A.C.E. program is supported by NOAA, NASA, the Charter College of Education at California State University, Los Angeles, and SEA membership.
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The M.Y. S.P.A.C.E. Team investigates local impacts of world-wide environmental issues. Data sets from local teams are brought together at the annual Satellites & Education Conference for analysis, to search for trends and implications common to each local team. Regardless of the specific research theme for the year, the progression of reports since 2002 reflects year to year global change. M.Y. S.P.A.C.E. research conclusions speak of the importance of the oceans to understanding and monitoring the health of the entire planet and the extraordinary interrelatedness of all of Earth's Systems. Participating students become engaged in an on-going dialogue of stewardship and planning for a healthier Earth.
Some annual research themes of the past:
| 2018 | Heat Island Effects |
| 2017 | Health and Climate Change |
| 2016 | Land Cover/Land Use Change |
| 2015 | Global Cryospheric Changes |
| 2014 | Coastal Wind and Water Effects of Severe Storms |
| 2013 | Environmental Impacts of Particulate Aerosols |
| 2012 | Global Impacts of Ocean Temperature Changes |
| 2011 | Hurricanes and Microbursts: Using Satellites to Understand, Predict, Recover |
| 2008 | How Do Fluctuations in Ocean Temperatures Affect Coral Reef & Marine Life in General? |
| 2007 | Impacts of Changing Oceans |
| 2006 | Distribution of Earth's Energy Through the Oceans and Atmosphere |
| 2005 | Energy, Climate, and Life on Earth |
| 2004 | Hurricane Charley |
| 2003 | Using GIS to Analyze Local Climatic Events |
| 2002 | The Effect of Dust Storms on Climate in the Mediterranean |
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Cal State LA hosts the Satellites & Education Conference and its K-12 global environmental research component, the M.Y. S.P.A.C.E. program and has done so since 2002. The annual conference and M.Y. S.P.A.C.E. Meeting are headquartered in the Charter College of Education (CCOE) at Cal State LA with support from the College of Natural and Social Sciences and the College of Engineering, Computer Science and Technology. The College of Engineering, Computer Science and Technology is home to the Center for Energy & Sustainability while the College of Natural and Social Sciences houses the Center for Spatial Analysis and Remote Sensing (CSARS) lab and graduate studies in the geosciences.
"At Cal State L.A. it is believed that compassion and caring for one another are at the heart of what an education means.
"Founded in 1947, this University is committed to the well-being of the city and region and focused on becoming a powerful engine of social mobility. It is dedicated to providing an affordable, outstanding education to our students and ensuring that they leave Cal State L.A. with the expertise and accomplishments that will lead to further success.
"Cal State L.A.'s eight colleges are recognized for outstanding academic programs and professors who are renowned mentors and researchers. It was named by Washington Monthly as one of the top ten master's universities in the nation for our contribution to the public good. This exceptional honor is based on graduation rates, public service by the students, and research funding that supports transformative faculty scholarship.
"In addition, The Princeton Review has recognized Cal State L.A. for having one of the finest MBA programs in the country. The National Science Foundation has ranked this University as the top supplier of Latino science and engineering Ph.D. recipients among all undergraduate and master's degree universities in the continental United States." - William A. Covino, President
The Satellite Educators Association is pleased to be associated with and supported by such an excellent university.
For more information, visit the Cal State LA web site.
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M.Y. S.P.A.C.E. logo ©2002 TRB. Used by permission.
©Satellite Educators Association, Inc.
SEA Web Manager: SEA.Web@SatEd.org
Updated April 2021
