Grants and Contributions

To support business needs while recovering from COVID-19

Based on recent advances in analytical optical spectroscopic techniques using laser ablation, a more compact and versatile instrument will be developed in this project, which combines LIBS (Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy) and LAMIS (Laser Ablation Molecular Isotopic Spectrometry) technologies. It will allow analysis without sample preparation with the instrument at a distance from sample.

It will provide isotopic analyses with precision in future exploring extraterrestrial environment missions as well as other fields such as nuclear science, geology and archeology among other emerging needs of the marketplace.

The primary challenge is to determine the best implementation of combining the LAMIS method with LIBS (and possibly Raman operation) to determine isotopic elemental composition and quantification for different targets.

Supporting this technology development and pioneering this field will place Canada in an excellent position for future space exploration missions to the moon, asteroids, comets, Mars as well as other astro-biologically targeted missions.

The project “Mars in Your Own Backyard” is a
space-themed education program for youth in
grades 5-12 that provides fun, interactive,
and multi-sensory engagement activities to
transfer knowledge of the Canadian Arctic's
features that make it an effective planetary
analogue environment. Students will learn
curricular topics focused on space
environmental science by identifying, for
example, key features of rocks and minerals
that may be analogous to the Moon and Mars.
They will also learn about how to live in
space, with curriculum topics focused on
biology, arts, environmental science, such
as basic life support, food production and
radiation protection.

"Mission on the Moon: An Educational Program for Canadian Youth" is a highly authentic and accessible learning experience for Canadian youth in the intermediate grades (grades 6 to 9) that explores Lunar Space Science through creative implementation of robotics that simulates a lunar rover. The six-module program will be appropriate for use in a diversity of learning contexts ranging from formal classroom instruction to informal camps and community organizations and it will consist of a comprehensive package including interactive and engaging modules for learners, an educator guide, and professional learning sessions.

“Moon Mission: Lunar Rover Planning and Piloting Experience” is a competition-based national project that will challenge students in grades 6 to 9 to design a lunar rover research mission and then to command a simulated rover expedition challenge. The initiative will include a Mission Goals challenge and a Rover Control challenge. To support participating teams as they write their research proposals and prepare for the competition, the project will develop and update a collection of online lessons and engaging activities that encourage students to understand the goals of both the Lunar Gateway and Lunar Surface Exploration.

“Classroom SpaceFarers: Lunar Gateway AI + Robotics” is a three-year undertaking that will involve Canadian youth (grades 6 to 9) and their educators in three activities: Code in the Stars campaign that will engage educators (virtually through a campaign, and directly through educator training events/professional development); a Lunar Gateway Pitch that will directly target students through a national pitch experience; and the Classroom SpaceFarers: an AI-Enabled Robotics Residencies, a deep impact, multi-day experience in ten sites. The three phases build upon each other, with deeper engagement and impact on the participants at each phase.

This project aims to inspire youth by increasing their awareness, interest, knowledge and experience in STEM using space-related content by providing a 3D and interactive gaming experience based on lunar rover missions. This will encourage exploration, discovery, resource management, and critical decision-making; framed within the concepts of conservation and sustainability, as a way to
engage and build agency within the fields of space STEM.

The first of its kind in Atlantic Canada, ATLAS will offer learning experiences in AI, software, and hardware development, instilling a range of mathematics, computer science and engineering skills.

This project aims to work with local young people to develop new hands-on exhibit content and programming that will increase their awareness of and the engagement in Canadian space science and technologies. The secondary school students will design and install an exhibit component with the goal of communicating the role of robotics in space to younger children and then they will work with the museum staff to apply the new-found knowledge towards designing and delivering space STEM programming for children from grades four to nine.

This contribution agreement allows a team of scientists based at Université de Montréal to continue its involvement with JWST scientific operations by supporting the Canadian scientific community in the use of JWST, the analysis of its data, as well as in the communications activities related to scientific outreach.