The Vermont Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) has received a 2010 Consortium Development Competition Award of $185,000 from the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) to fund a research project entitled: "The Vermont Frozen Landscape Monitoring Project."

"This is an exciting project at the intersection of NASA research interests and a critical Vermont concern," says Dr. William Lakin originator of the grant request. "It is also a clear indication that NASA recognizes the quality of the research teams being developed by the VTSGC with our Space Grant faculty research funding."

This project will involve faculty and student researchers at the University of Vermont, Vermont Technical College, and Lyndon State University. Drs. Jeff Frolik and Chris Skalka, in the UVM CEMS School of Engineering will led the project together with Dr. Beverley Wemple from UVM Arts &Sciences, and Dr. Jennifer Pontius of the UVM Rubenstein School. Additional faculty and students from VTC and Lyndon State will complete the project research team.

"The University of Vermont is proud to have the VSGC receive continued support from NASA," says Bernard "Chip" Cole, Interim Dean of the UVM College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences. "This award demonstrates both the strength of Vermont's academic researchers and the interdisciplinary capabilities of our research teams."

The VSGC is based within the University of Vermont’s College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences (CEMS) and is overseen by Director and Professor William D. Lakin of CEMS, who is also Project Director for Vermont’s NASA EPSCoR Program.

VSGC is dedicated to encouraging students at all levels to take more mathematics and science courses and to consider careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) areas. VSGC was established in 1992 as part of NASA's National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program. Affiliates include Vermont academic institutions, professional organizations, private sector companies, and community organizations interested in the enhancement of scientific and technical education and the promotion of research in aerospace-related areas.

VTSGC has now received full funding for three proposals submitted for the CDC competitions, which include the 2007- Arctic Sea Ice Buoy, the 2009-CubeSat Lunar Lander, and the 2010 submission for research for theVT Frozen Landscape.

The award will support two GRA's and three REU's for UVM graduate and undergraduate students as well as fund a senior design project in CEMS mentored by Jeff Frolik.

For more information contact William Lakin.