PoSSUMs Experiment!

Twenty four citizen scientists with Project Possum gathered this week to do scientific research at the Canada’s National Research Council ‘s facility in Ottawa. Final Frontier Design’s spacesuit and multiple experiments went up on a series of parabolic flights each providing both lunar and microgravity environments for about 15 seconds at a time. 

In addition to experiments from MIT, NRC and the PoSSUM scientists We had some experiments from our PoSSUM 13 participants! PoSSUM 13 is a program for students around the world.  

PoSSUM 13 is named in honor of the Mercury 13, the woman who went through the same tests as the US’s first Astronauts known as the Mercury 7. Each PoSSUM research team was female led. This year’s contest winner was 16 year old Ivanna Hernandez from Colombia.

Ivanna has an avid love of science. This time she was able to share her love of science with her friends! Their experiment proposal was chosen out of those submitted and Ivanna flew to Canada for the tests. 

In Ottawa at Canada’s National Research Council’s facility Ivanna and her mother were introduced to the joys of practical research. 

After trainings and practice runs it was time to fly! Ivanna boarded the plane to do her research. 

After flying Ivanna said it was an amazing experience. She enjoyed doing practical research and meeting the citizen scientists involved in Project PoSSUM. 

She is looking forward to working with the results of her experiment. Through everything she is she is hoping to inspire other students in Colombia. 

You can keep up to date on Ivanna through her blog!