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Dr. Anuradha Dujari is a tenured professor of science education at Delaware State University (DSU). Delaware State University is a Historically Black College/University (HBCU). Dr. Dujari has several years of experience in teaching a diverse group of students and has served as Education Graduate Program Director. She teaches a variety of undergraduate science courses to non-majors and graduate courses in science education. She teaches both pre-service and in-service teachers and supervises student teachers in practicum and student teaching experiences.

She is a mentor to several STEP scholars and faculty advisor for the NASA Pre Service Teacher Preparation Program (PSTP) for the DSU students. Her students presented a poster at the NASA/PSTP Conference this February. Some of her students will attend the Teacher Institute offered by NSU/NASA this summer. Additionally, Dr. Dujari was a reviewer for the selection of Educator Astronauts. Minimum Qualifications Panel.

Dr. Dujari is active in professional organizations such as NSTA/SCST and has served on editorial/advisory panels of several journals. She has reviewed proposals for NSF. She is the recepient of DSU Faculty Excellence Award in 2002. She has chaired various committees including Personnel and Graduate Committees and served on numerous college wide committees. She has procured various grants to further the professional development of colleagues and school science teachers. She developed two modules for middle schools aligned with Delaware Science Standards.

2004 Project Description

Dr. Dujari, Professor at Delaware State University will be working on a protocol for students to detect soil moisture. Soil moisture is an important research area for NASA for which HYDROS mission will be collecting data. The HYDROS mission, scheduled to launch in 2009, will use the microwave remote sensing of soil moisture in order to gain a more accurate global mapping of soil moisture and freeze/thaw at a higher spatial resolution. This data will be used to better understand the links between global water, energy and carbon cycles.

Modules for formal education of students are being developed at present. A handheld radiometer is in the process of development by a NASA scientist to collect data on soil moisture in the field. This radiometer will be used by students for data collection as prescribed in the protocol. The protocol will be similar to what is currently being used in GLOBE. The protocol will be aligned with the National Science Education Standards and the data will be deposited for future use by scientists. GLOBE protocols are hands on-minds on science investigations which give the students an opportunity to actively do science as scientists do. Developing an understanding of science concepts and science process skills in students are important objectives and are in alignment with NASA.s educational goals and visions. This summer project seeks to fulfill those goals and visions.