Background
A digital twin is a virtual representation that serves as the real-time digital counterpart of a physical object or process. The first practical definition of digital twin originated from NASA to improve physical model simulation of spacecraft in 2010. There is renewed interest at NASA in digital twins for applications in aircraft design, astronaut health, climate modeling, and more.
Capstone
The goal of this capstone is to create a digital twin testbed of a to-be-determined simple system that can be used initially for demonstration purposes to the public and key stakeholders, and then later as a testbed for experimentation and research on various techniques including artificial intelligence, machine learning, virtual and augmented reality.
Depending on research needs, students will conduct the research and development off-site while Glenn Research Center (GRC) COVID 19 remote working protocols are in place and on-site once student access to GRC resumes for a minimum period of two years, part time during academic school year and full time during the summer. Students will complete an application for selection to interview with the NASA Subject Matter Experts. Once selected students complete the interview, final selections based on interview results will be determined.
Student and Teacher Requirements
The development for this capstone is done in collaboration with the NASA Glenn GVIS (Graphics and Visualization Lab) off-site while GRC COVID 19 remote working protocols are in place and on-site once student access to GRC resumes. and students will utilize existing hardware and software required for the successful completion.
Since this capstone will be worked on-site once student access to GRC resumes there are additional requirements and expectations of students and teacher mentors as follows:
Student Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Must be a High School Student and be at least 14 years old
- Must have a minimum 3.2 cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale
- Must be provide a teacher letter of recommendation
- Must provide certification of parent or guardian signatures and High School Counselor or Principal grade point average verification.
- Must be available to conduct research on site once student access resumes at NASA GRC for a minimum period of one year, part time during academic school year and full time during the summer
- Must provide a manuscript at the conclusion of the capstone in the format set forth by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
- Must be able to arrange transportation to and from NASA GRC once student access resumes
- Must agree to adhere to all NASA GRC safety and security requirements
- Must provide own lunch when working on-site.
- Must work the hours and days mutually agreed upon with the assigned NASA mentor
Teacher Role and Expectations
- Ensure student exhibits the maturity to display proper decorum in a professional environment
- Monitor student progress on research and engineering project for the duration of the capstone
- Complete the 5 Hour Professional Development if not previously completed
- Assist student with understanding the research and engineering project
- Assist student in communicating with researchers and engineers for clarification when questions arise
- Assist student with the research manuscript in the format provided by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
- Provide a brief Educational Impact Statement (no more than 500 words)
Key Dates
- January 31, 2022 –Applications are available
- February 25, 2022 – Application deadline, applications are due
- March 3, 2022 – Students notified of results and scheduled for interviews
- March 17, 2022 – Final selections are made, students notified of results
Applications and Forms
Contact Information
Gerald Voltz
Education Program Specialist
GRC-Ed-Opportunities@mail.nasa.gov
(216) 433-6656
This content is part of Glenn High School Capstones.