Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Research and Development

Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Research and Development is sponsored by AFOSR. AFOSR solicits research proposals in areas critical to Air Force needs, including military simulation technologies.

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) 2. Funding Opportunity Number 3. Funding Opportunity Title Research Interests of the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) 4.

Types of Instruments Awarded Research and Development contracts, grants and cooperative agreements "Amendment 0002 to Initial Announcement" 6. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Numbers This announcement remains open until superseded.

White papers and proposals are reviewed and evaluated as they are received and may be submitted at any time; however, there is an initial preference for white papers over full applications/proposals. The white paper submission process is discussed in sections IV and V of this BAA.

Proposals will be due according to specific instructions contained in a separate Request for Proposal (RFP) notice resulting from favorable white paper evaluations or calls issued against this BAA. Calls may be placed against this BAA and specific information related to due dates will be provided in each call.

The calls may also include specific terms which apply to the call such as further technical details, cut-off date for white paper and/or proposal submission and any pertinent clauses, such as available Government Furnished Property (GFP) or specific Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) requirements.

Proposals or white papers submitted in response to calls should be submitted according to directions contained within each individual call and in accordance with this BAA. Late bid and proposal provisions (in accordance with (IAW) Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) 52. 215-1(c) (3)) will apply to this BAA.

2 USAFA’s Research Laboratory is announcing to business and academia the intent to solicit proposals for USAFA research efforts through this BAA. This strategy provides USAFA an acquisition tool with the flexibility to solicit proposals and make awards to develop technologies to meet present and future Air Force research needs as technology issues are identified. USAFA invites white papers and proposals for research in many broad areas.

These areas are described in detail in Section I, Funding Opportunity Description. Additional information regarding USAFA Research Centers, Departments and Institutes may be found here . USAFA is seeking unclassified research white papers and proposals that do not contain proprietary information.

Requests for white papers/proposals are also transmitted via calls which may be published separately from the BAA at various times during the open period of the BAA (note: the first call may be published with the BAA). At this time, it is anticipated awards will be made in the form of grants, cooperative agreements or contracts.

USAFA reserves the right to select and fund for award all, some, or none of the white papers and/or proposals in response to this announcement. All awards are contingent upon funds availability for the program areas identified. Unless specifically indicated in a RFP or a call, cost sharing is permitted and encouraged, but not required.

This announcement will remain open until replaced by a successor BAA or until it is cancelled. White papers and proposals may be submitted at any time. Awards based on responses to this BAA are considered to be the result of full and open competition.

Small businesses are encouraged to submit white papers against any Research Center’s Areas of Interest described within this BAA. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code, unless otherwise stated in the BAA amendments shall be: 541711, Research and Development in Biotechnology and 541712, Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology).

The size standard for both NAICS codes is 500 employees. White papers and proposals submitted in response to this BAA shall be in accordance with the requirements of this BAA and its appropriate amendment(s). Interested offerors should be alert for any BAA amendments, calls, or other changes to the requirements of this BAA or its subsequent amendments.

Amendments to and/or calls on this BAA will be posted to the FedBizOpps. gov and/or Grants. gov website and published when they occur.

Interested parties are encouraged to periodically check these websites for updates and amendments. USAFA will not issue paper copies of this announcement. The costs of white papers and/or complete proposals in response to this BAA are not considered an allowable direct charge to any award resulting from this BAA or any other award.

Technical and cost proposals, or any other material, submitted in response to this BAA will not be returned. 3 I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION .....................................................................

5 a. Research Centers ..................................................................................................................... 5 1.

Aeronautics (Aeronautics Research Center) ............................................................................ 5 2. Aeronautics (High Performance Computing Research Center) ...............................................

6 3. Astronautics (Space Systems Research Center) ....................................................................... 7 4.

Biosystems, Microbial Fuel Cells/Microbial Solar Cells and Microbial Extremophiles (Life Sciences Research Center) ....................................................................................................... 8 5. Chemistry (Chemistry Research Center) ................................................................................

10 6. Computer Science (Academy Center for Cyberspace Research) ........................................... 10 7.

Engineering Mechanics (Center for Aircraft Structural Life Extension) ............................... 11 8. Laser and Optical Physics (Laser & Optics Research Center) ...............................................

12 9. Physics (Space Physics & Atmospheric Research Center) .................................................... 13 10.

Center for Physics Education Research (CPER) .................................................................... 14 11. Academy Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research (UAS) .....................................

15 12. Center of Innovation (COI) .................................................................................................... 16 13.

Civil and Enviromental Engineering Research ...................................................................... 17 14. Electrical and Computer Engineering Research .....................................................................

18 15. K-12 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) Research & Outreach ................ 19 16.

Center for Space Situational Awareness Research (Department of Physics) ........................ 19 b. Research Institute ..................................................................................................................

20 1. Institute for Information Technology Applications ............................................................... 20 2.

Institute for National Security Studies ................................................................................... 22 3. Eisenhower Center for Space and Defense Studies……………….

……………………….. 22 c. Other .......................................................................................................................................

23 1. Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership .............................................................. 24 2.

Department of Foreign Languages and the Office of International Programs ....................... 24 3. Interdepartmental Program of Operations Research and Analytics .......................................

24 II. AWARD INFORMATION ................................................................................................ ...

25 III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION ......................................................................................... 26 IV.

APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION ................................................... 27 4 V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION .....................................................................

39 VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION .............................................................. 43 VII.

AGENCY CONTACTS ......................................................................................................... 43 5 I. Funding Opportunity Description The USAFA invests in an active research program for three main reasons.

First and foremost, research significantly enhances the cadet learning experience. Our research is done by, for and with cadets who work alongside fellow cadets and faculty mentors. Research provides cadets with rich independent learning opportunities as they tackle ill-defined problems and are challenged to apply their knowledge and abilities.

Second, our research program provides opportunities essential for faculty development. Research broadens and deepens the experience base of the faculty. This infuses current, relevant, state-of-the-art and cutting-edge applications and examples into the curriculum.

This also helps our faculty remain current in their respective fields. Third, at USAFA we strive to conduct research to enhance the ability of the Air Force to perform its mission. There are ongoing research projects spanning topics as diverse as super hypersonics, cyber security, spatial disorientation, athletic performance and homeland defense.

This BAA is located at the FedBizOpps. gov and Grants. gov website(s).

Research areas of interest to the USAFA’s Research Center Directors are described in detail in the sub-sections below. 1. Aeronautics (Aeronautics Research Center) The Aeronautics Research Center (ARC) performs a range of aeronautical research tasks in support of Air Force (AF), Department of Defense (DoD), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and other government and commercial sponsors.

Making use of the highly diverse and advanced experimental facilities housed in the USAFA Department of Aeronautics, the ARC pursues a range of aeronautic and propulsion research efforts. The research program in this center is geared toward providing all undergraduates with a rich, relevant research experience while answering critical research needs of our highly varied customer base.

Researchers may expect extensive access to premier facilities, tremendous latitude of pursuits and single-minded focus on research tasks, but must seek to incorporate student participation in their projects, typically two to four students per semester.

Substantial effort in this center is directed toward the solution of multi-disciplinary problems which may require skills beyond classical aeronautics disciplines, including plasma and laser physics, optics, automatic controls and applied mathematics.

The ARC, in partnership with the USAFA Modeling and Simulation Center, is a leader in the complementary employment of experiment and simulation to solve complex fluid, aerodynamic and control problems. Current research strengths include several complementary thrusts. Closed loop flow control efforts focus on aero-optic control and control of flexible structures under aerodynamic 6 loading.

There is extensive effort in the development of automatic control algorithms and techniques, experimental flow control methodologies, fluid-structure interactions and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Well-developed and modern force and moment measurement capabilities in low speed (M < 0. 1) and subsonic (up to Mach 0.

6) wind tunnels are employed in the investigation of numerous air vehicle modifications as well as development of new aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) designs. Flight test of small air vehicles can be arranged using USAFA facilities. A Mach-6 Ludwieg tube is now available, complementing an existing Mach 4.

4 blow down facility for supersonic and hypersonic investigations, emphasizing shock wave-boundary layer interactions. Operating engines, including an F-109 turbo fan and several internal combustion engines, are used for fuels and flow quality investigations, with a current emphasis in ejectors, ducted fans, and propellers for small air vehicles.

Researchers are encouraged to propose topics in these areas and other allied aeronautics subjects. A list of current and available research facilities can be found here . Thomas E.

McLaughlin, Ph. D. Director, Aeronautics Research Center Department of Aeronautics E-mail: Tom.

Mclaughlin@usafa. edu 2.

Aeronautics (High Performance Computing Research Center) The High Performance Computing Research Center (HPCRC) is a multi-disciplinary center which shares a dual mission of providing high performance computing resources to USAFA cadets and research/teaching personnel, as well as conducting physics-based modeling and simulation research tasks in support of AF, DoD, NASA and other government and commercial sponsors.

Making use of distributed/shared memory computing systems and a dedicated research network, the Center pursues a range of computational research efforts. The research program in this center is geared toward providing undergraduates with scientific computing experience supported by the DoD High Performance Computing Modernization Program and projects which answer critical research needs of our highly varied customer base.

Researchers may expect extensive access to premier facilities, tremendous latitude of pursuits and single-minded focus on research tasks, but must seek to incorporate cadet participation in their projects, typically two to four cadets per semester.

The HPCRC, in partnership with the USAFA Aeronautics Research Center, is a leader in the complementary employment of experiment and simulation to solve complex fluid, aerodynamic and control problems. Current fluid/aerodynamic research interests include: a. Massively-separated flow aerodynamics, including turbulence modeling, b.

Chemical, oxygen, iodine laser operation optimization, c. Reduced-order modeling for aircraft stability and control characterization, d. Fluid-structure interaction as applied to aero-elasticity, 7 e.

Non-equilibrium gas dynamics typical of high-altitude, rarefied flows as well as high-speed atmospheric re-entry, f. Gas turbine propulsion devices (including inlets, compressors, turbines and nozzles), high-speed propulsion devices such as ramjets and scramjets, g. Other topics of interest involving the use of high performance computing resources for the solution of complex scientific and engineering problems.

The HPCRC also works in partnership with other USAFA academic departments and research centers to develop computational simulation capabilities using high performance computing (HPC) resources. Current research interests in this area include: a. Development of tools and techniques to ease the delivery of HPC services to users and researchers without a significant computational background (including undergraduate students), b.

Development of software methods, processes, tools and utilities to solve complex science and engineering problems using HPC resources (including General Purpose Graphical Processing Units or GPGPUs), and c. Development of parallel software processes and tools to improve maintainability, efficiency and scalability. Director, High Performance Computing Research Center Department of Aeronautics E-mail: Andrew.

Lofthouse@usafa. edu 3. Astronautics (Space Systems Research Center) The Space Systems Research Center performs a wide range of activities involving the design, assembly, integration, test, launch and flight of small satellites and sounding rockets to conduct research for the AF and the DoD.

This unique program blends science, technology and organizational skills like none other at the USAFA. The Center is currently operating FalconSAT-3 (launched 2007) and developing FalconSAT-6 (to launch 2017) and FalconSAT-8 (to launch in 2019), which host DoD Space Experiments Review Board-approved experiments. Other research areas are educational nanosatellites of the CubeSat form factor.

Designing a satellite is a complex, multi-disciplinary undertaking requiring expertise across a number of technical disciplines. The Department of Astronautics, in partnership with the Space System Research Center, aims to extend this expertise through researching and applying design experiences and examples to support the AF and DoD. Currently available facilities, instrumentation and research efforts can be found here .

Todd Nathaniel, Lt Col, Ph. D. Director, Space Systems Research Center Department of Astronautics E-mail: Todd.

Nathaniel@usafa. edu 4. Biosystems: Energy Transformation Mechanisms involving Microbial Fuel Cells, Extremophiles, and Metabolic Regulation (Life Sciences Research Center) The Life Sciences Research Center’s (LSRC) primary mission is to support the Air Force’s research programs at the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) and Air Force Research Laboratories (AFRL) through faculty and cadet research efforts.

USAFA has a long-term vision to establish a multi-year alternative energy program of planning, research and infrastructure investment. The vision involves a basic research approach towards renewable energy alternatives such as solar electric, fuel cells, waste-to-methane and other multiple conservation efforts. Currently very little data exist regarding the full elucidation of energy transformation within biosystems.

Heretofore, an elegant model has not existed which could be further examined at the cellular/molecular level in terms of augmenting energy production in microorganisms. A deeper comprehensive investigation of the means by which photosynthetic organisms can be harnessed while capturing solar energy for conversion to chemical energy would be of value in emerging technologies such as bioelectrochemical systems.

Such systems involve further investigation of microbial fuel cells (MFCs), extremophiles, and metabolic regulation mechanisms. This research would be in direct support of the Air Force research objectives which include the “explo ration of natural and synthetic processes, mechanisms and/or pathways for understanding energy production in biosystems.

” To this end, our center is seeking potential research partnerships in advancing the aforementioned areas in terms of performance and sustainability. Given the recent high interest in the use of microbial fuel cells (MFC) in alternative energy production, the Life Sciences Research Center within the Department of Biology has developed a growing MFC research program.

Primarily, we are interested developing the growth and metabolic properties of certain microbial organisms for the purposes of optimizing MFC energy production. Ultimately, the center’s goal is to have these MFCs function on a sustainable basis through the use of photosynthetic organisms.

These types of fuels cells are known as Microbial Solar Cells (MSCs) which run in combination with varying photosynthetic organisms such as algae or cyanobacteria. Research efforts will focus on strain selection, cultivation and characterization to improve the overall metabolism of robust photosynthetic microbial cultures to increase renewable energy capability.

Additionally, the center is also interested in the extremophiles area (thermophilic, acidophilic, desert crust microbiota, etc.) and focused on discovering and understanding basic natural mechanisms used by organisms that could provide energy to small bio-sensing devices. This will enable the U.S. Air Force to employ biological systems with optimum performance and extended lifetimes.

As protein and nucleic acid molecules are increasingly used as catalysts, sensors, and as materials, it will be necessary to understand how one can utilize these molecules in extreme environments, with the ability to regulate the desired function as conditions change, and to store devices for prolonged periods of time.

Recently AFOSR has revealed a deepening interest in better understanding and elucidating select 9 protein mechanisms in desert crust enzyme regulation and preservation. Enzymes are able to lower activation barriers in a broad diversity of chemical transformations, and are capable of unrivaled reaction specificity and substrate affinity. Each of these assets can be uniquely leveraged in distinct biotechnological areas.

Further, key aspects of cellular substrate concentrations and perturbations in metabolic flow via electron transfer mechanisms are largely unknown. Emerging evidence indicates a critical, yet underappreciated, role for investigation within these cellular response mechanisms.

Areas of interest include; the mechanisms for survival and protein stability in extremophilic desert crust microbiota, and enzymatic engineering for faster catalysis in materials identification or degradation. Lastly, there is growing interest in establishing fundamental mechanisms of metabolic regulation by redox sensors in model systems.

One such approach could involve using bacterial, yeast and mammalian cell systems in parallel, to probe how cells respond to physiological changes brought about by varying O2 (for example, “Crabtree Effects” within yeast) and nutrient levels.

Specifically, interrogate the control mechanisms used by cells to regulate energy transformation when faced with dynamic redox conditions (e.g., fluctuating levels of energy carriers and/or O2), which despite extensive efforts remain largely uncharacterized.

Cognizant of the overall complexity of the regulation of central metabolism, efforts will be focused on a group of experiments that are primarily designed to reveal a subset of redox regulatory mechanisms at the level of the thiolome (-SH residues on cellular proteins) that appears to play significant roles in controlling metabolism as a function of cellular energetics.

Our primary goal within this area involves capturing new insights regarding regulatory mechanisms that are used to control metabolic enzyme activity as the levels of electron donors/acceptors are altered from select boundary conditions.

A proposed solution would include a commercial or academic partner with experience in conducting and participating in R&D relating to the previously mentioned areas along with placing an exceptional research scientist at USAFA with an extensive background in associated fundamental microbial mechanisms across the biotic-abiotic interface.

As on-site research is preferred, a PhD in biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, cell biology, bioengineering, or a related field for such research is highly desired. A recipient with prior experience with biological fuel cells (microbial and/or photosynthetic), extremophiles, or metabolic regulation would be ideal.

Collaboration is encouraged to include leadership and guidance on the research areas proposed for laboratory technicians/students, partner scientists, chemists and engineers on experimental work at the intersection of chemistry, biology, and biochemistry.

Because of the USAFA mission to prepare young men and women for leadership positions within the Air Force, cadet participation with researchers is expected as part of our independent study projects (499s) and cadet summer research program (visiting partner labs).

Additionally, there is potential for cross disciplinary involvement from a number of academic departments aside from Biology such as Chemistry (biochemistry), Engineering (model production), and Management (project analysis). Development of this research thrust may also result in potential collaboration opportunities with other academia, private companies and other Air Force research agencies.

10 Director, Life Sciences Research Center E-mail: Don. Veverka@usafa. edu 5.

Chemistry (Chemistry Research Center) The opportunity to participate in research by faculty, staff, and cadets is important to the overall mission of the USAFA. The Chemistry Research Center (CRC) provides for professional development of faculty members and resident researchers in addition to enhanced education of cadets through research programs in support of the AF as well as DoD Research and Development directives.

In order to accomplish a portion of this, the CRC has had proven success by external partnering with academia, industry, and national laboratories in order to leverage an expanding technology base.

Current topics of interest in the CRC are renewable materials, light harvesting organic electronics, fluoropolymer coatings, synthetic spice metabolites, green fluorescent protein-based sensors, energetic materials, carbon aerogels, and omniphobic composites. Research may take place on-site using the laboratories and analytical instrumentation located in the Department of Chemistry at USAFA.

A short description of the CRC research and capabilities is available here . Director, Chemistry Research Center E-mail: Scott. Iacono@usafa.

edu 6. Computer Science (Academy Center for Cyberspace Research) The Academy Center for Cyberspace Research (ACCR) conducts research in a wide range of research areas within the field of Computer Science in support of the AF, DoD and other government and commercial sponsors. The center seeks to develop cadets as cyber innovators by participation in and exposure to research projects in the domain of cyberspace.

All cadets in the Computer Science major receive research experience through independent studies, course projects and summer research opportunities. Current research focus areas for ACCR include cyberspace education and training, cyber-warfare topics and information assurance.

State of the art computing facilities are available to students and researchers for conducting studies in an isolated network environment running virtual machine software for rapid reconfiguration and testing. Parallel architectures are also available for studies using neural networks and parallel algorithms. ACCR is especially interested in research with 11 proposed student projects.

Current topics of interest include the Internet of Things, securing command and control of remotely piloted aircraft and satellite systems, cyber techniques for countering hostile unmanned aerial vehicles, automated characterization/decoding of radio frequency signals, Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition systems, jam resistance without shared secrets, vulnerabilities and defenses, identifying and categorizing malware, finding application and web vulnerabilities and cyber situational awareness.

Researchers are encouraged to propose topics in these areas as well as other cyberspace topics. Currently available facilities, publications and research efforts can be found here . Director, Academy Center for Cyberspace Research Department of Computer Science E-mail: Martin.

Carlisle@usafa. edu 7. Engineering Mechanics (Center for Aircraft Structural Life Extension) The Center for Aircraft Structural Life Extension (CAStLE) has a two-fold mission in support of aging structures and material degradation.

First, to perform a wide range of research and technology development projects focused on delivering critical science and technology (S&T) advancements required to understand material degradation in structures and systems to various government, academic and commercial sponsors.

Second, but no less important, to educate, train, inspire, and otherwise prepare future generations that might become the core of the S&T community within the government and the general professional population.

Making use of the expertise and extensive experimental and computational facilities housed in the USAFA Department of Engineering Mechanics and elsewhere, CAStLE pursues a range of research efforts in a wide variety of structural material degradation research fields. These fields include engineering mechanics, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, corrosion engineering, and material science.

CAStLE places more emphasis on applied research and that part of development not related to the development of a specific system or hardware procurement. CAStLE is a leader in the complementary employment of experiment and simulation to solve complex static stability, static strength, fatigue and fracture mechanics problems.

Current research strengths include advanced barrier coatings; static strength and static stability design and analysis; fatigue analysis; corrosion modeling, prevention and control; validation testing; analysis and methods development; computational structural and fracture mechanics; root-cause (failure) analysis; flight data acquisition system development, installation, maintenance and data analysis; educational curriculum and methodology research and development; structural risk analysis; and research tied to the USAF Aircraft Structural Integrity Program.

The interaction between corrosion, cracking, and other material degradation/damage mechanisms and their effect on structural integrity has been a long-standing interest of CAStLE. There is keen interest at the DoD-level in material degradation in structures —to include corrosion, cracking and other 12 service-related damage mechanisms.

In addition, there is DoD-level interest in educationally preparing and inspiring future generations to pursue technical careers which could address our nation’s S&T challenges. Examples of some past and current research efforts as well as cadet projects can be found Gregory A. Shoales, Ph.

D. , P. E.

, Director, Center for Aircraft Structural Life Extension (CAStLE) Professor of Engineering Mechanics Department of Engineering Mechanics E-Mail: Gregory. Shoales@us. af.

mil 8. Laser and Optical Physics (Laser & Optics Research Center) The Laser and Optics Research Center (LORC) performs a range of research tasks in support of the AF, DoD, DOE, National Science Foundation and other government and commercial sponsors. Making use of the extensive experimental facilities housed in the USAFA Department of Physics, the Center pursues a range of research efforts.

The research programs in this center are geared toward providing all undergraduates with a rich, relevant research experience while answering critical research needs of our highly varied customer base.

Researchers may expect extensive access to premier facilities, tremendous latitude of pursuits and single-minded focus on research tasks, but must seek to incorporate student participation in their projects, typically two to four students per semester. Current research areas of emphasis comprise five broad areas. In the atomic physics area, precision measurements of atomic properties are a primary focus of investigation.

These include measurements of atomic state lifetimes and branching ratios in alkalis such as cesium, sodium, potassium and rubidium along with alkaline-earth elements such as strontium which have atomic clock applications. Also the interaction of alkali atoms with inert gases is being studied for their collisional excitation transfer properties which are important to the operation of alkali lasers.

This area is closely related to our second area of emphasis: the study of diode-pumped alkali lasers (DPAL). Key objectives of the DPAL research program are investigating their potential for scaling to high average power, investigating various amplifier and resonator configurations and improving the spectral and spatial output characteristics of high power semiconductor diode pump sources.

Applications such as second harmonic generation and sum frequency generation are also part of this effort. Other gas lasers such as carbon monoxide lasers operating infrared wavelengths are also investigated.

Fiber laser research involves novel fiber designs including photonic crystal fibers and acoustically-engineered fibers for the suppression of non-linear effects in high-power fiber lasers, fiber components necessary for coherent beam combining, fiber laser and amplifier characterization, novel fiber manufacturing and processing methods, high-brightness, 13 efficient, wavelength-stabilized pump sources, modeling and simulation of fiber lasers and amplifiers and fiber laser applications including but not limited to remote sensing, tracking, directed energy weapons and communications.

High-performance imaging research is focused on novel wavefront measurement and manipulation techniques including holographic wavefront sensing and correction and photon sieve telescopes. Key objectives include developing and demonstrating imaging technology suitable for integration into rugged compact devices and aerospace platforms.

Nanomaterials research includes the application of novel materials structures for the manipulation of light including negative index materials, phonon-photon superlattices, tunable dielectrics, ferro-electric and ferro-magnetic oxides, surface plasmonics and black silicon for photo-detector and solar cell applications. Researchers are encouraged to propose topics in these areas and other related subjects.

Deputy Director, Laser & Optics Research Center Department of Physics (USAFA/DFP) E-mail: Martin. Johnson@usafa. edu 9.

Physics (Space Physics & Atmospheric Research Center) The Space Physics and Atmospheric Research Center (SPARC) studies the natural environment from the troposphere to the sun in support of AF, DoD, NASA, NSF and other government and commercial sponsors. Making use of the extensive experimental facilities housed in the USAFA Department of Physics, the SPARC pursues a range of efforts.

The research program in this center is geared toward providing all undergraduates with a rich, relevant research experience while answering critical research needs of our highly varied customer base.

Researchers may expect extensive access to premier facilities, tremendous latitude of pursuits and single-minded focus on research tasks, but must seek to incorporate student participation in their projects, typically two to four students per semester.

Substantial effort in this center is directed toward the solution of multi-disciplinary problems which may require skills beyond classical physics disciplines, including plasma and laser physics, advanced miniaturization techniques, use of Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems, development of miniaturized automated satellite constellations and advanced data mining techniques for large data systems.

The SPARC is a leader in the development of miniaturized payloads for small satellites, and the application of data provided by these payloads to relevant Department of Defense problems. SPARC research interests vary depending on the sponsoring agencies interests. Current research strengths include several complementary thrusts.

Space physics and space weather study the relationship of the space environment and the effects this environment have on mankind. Topics in space weather can range from experimental, such as developing 14 new instrumentation to measure the space environment, to theoretical, such as developing assimilative models which can be used to predict the space environment into the future.

Linked with space physics and space weather, the micro- and nano-satellite thrust develops aggressively miniaturized spacecraft for use in small inexpensive constellations devoted to exploiting the entire range of space activities of interest to sponsors. The applied physics thrust considers all applications of physics to the practical applications of technology of interest to sponsors.

In the past has included studies of plasma actuators, high speed spectroscopy in support of brief duration phenomena in the troposphere, mesosphere and the ionosphere, studies of the aurora and applications of weather modeling to highly dynamic small scale areas such as the USAFA. Finally, the Department supports a wide range of basic research in astronomy and astrophysics in support of the USAFA observatory.

Director, Space Physics and Atmospheric Research Center PH (719) 333-2460 (Desk), PH (719) 333-3510 (Front Office) E-mail: Matthew. Mcharg@usafa. edu 10.

Center for Physics Education Research (CPER) The Center for Physics Education Research (CPER) was founded in 1994 to build a USAFA center of gravity providing impetus, opportunities and tools for physics faculty at USAFA and nationwide, as well as engage in and apply Scholarship of Teaching and Learning-like (SoTL) research activities within the Department of Physics.

The CPER maintains extensive ties and collaborations with similar research programs nationwide. The primary goals of the CPER are to:  Engage in research initiatives that quantify gains in student understanding and appreciation of physics.

Efforts in this category leverage the random assignment of students within Core Physics sections to categorize and assess gains in performance of students within a single semester and across multiple semesters.

In addition to analyzing performance on standardized assessments, there is considerable interest in analyzing student response patterns, developing assessment rubrics and understanding prior student knowledge and correlating learning gains with other metrics such as instruction techniques and student engagement.  Develop and share tools for enhancing teaching and student learning in physics.

Of particular interest is the research and development related to pedagogical techniques and supporting tools for the Just-in-Time Teaching (JiTT) initiative, the signature CPER effort. This effort includes the extension of JiTT to develop student Self-Explanations under a Worked Example model of instruction.

Additional efforts include development of tutorials (to include computer simulations) for both beginning and intermediate physics students.  Maintain a