ABOUT RSI
The Rice Space Institute ("RSI") has taken a central role in fostering programs that make Rice University internationally known in all areas of space research. As a world leader in space weather research, in plasma environments of distant planets, and in solar research, RSI invests in efforts to further development of new ideas and generate advanced research projects at the frontiers of knowledge. RSI proudly fosters involvement of undergraduates in its space research, and the Texas Space Grant Consortium regulraly recognizes the accomplishments of its talented undergraduates. RSI also partners with other Rice institutes to advance space as part of the larger research endeavor on campus.
In addition to enganging undergraduates, RSI has a strong tradition of bringing high caliber graduate students to study at Rice's multi-institutional and interdisciplinary setting. Outside the hedges, RSI has parnered with NASA's Johnson Space Center and other NASA sites, with the Lunar and Plantetary Institute, and with the Soutwest Research Institute in San Antonio and its broad array of space-linked research projects. Linkages with Texas A&M and Prairie View A&M have enabled the opportunity to participat ein the solar telescope initiative, which whilll provide Rice access to an exciting research and teaching facility once funded.
RSI's hallmark is its focus on public outreach. For such community programs, it boasts parnerships with the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences, Baker Institute for Public Policy, the Hubble Science Institute and others. Many major activities, including the 2002 World Space Congress and the 2006 Sally Ride Festival to attract girls into science and engineering, are joint efforts of the Baker Institute and RSI. This partnership garners high visibility that is reflected in the resulting leadership in space policy. Research in space is inherently multinational: Tex-Mex Bilateral Astronomy Conferences are a traditions, and RSI researchers are engaged in multiple international space missions and organizations.
Another feature of RSI's public outreach is Rice's on-campus observatory that draws visitors from all across the region. Space travel and space research have inherent drama and engage the imagination of K12 students in space exploration. These include a seires of CDs as part of its "Public Connection" outreach program and a traveling planetarium with productions that can be shown in a wide range of venues. The "Image" outreach program is part of a large research effort to see the Earth's magnetosphere--its new CD is available for educators to provide information on space weather and its effects, advancing the best of recent advances in space science.
RSI is a dynamic leader in gathering the community interested in space, in both research and education. As an advocate and catalyst for these endeavors, RSI enthusiastically seeks innovation funds and teescope and research facilities for its faculty and students
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