The N.C. Space Grant provides a close-to-home opportunity for students and faculty members to research the unknown outside the atmosphere.

Funds from the National Aeronautical and Space Administration and state appropriations benefits research projects conducted through 11 universities throughout the state, including three recently added universities — Appalachian State University, Elizabeth City State University and University of North Carolina at Asheville.

“Research is a major priority on this campus,” Brian Dennision, campus director of the N.C. Space Grant at UNC-A, said.

Dennision said he felt the N.C. Space Grant will help the UNC-A campus build onto current and future research being conducted by the university.

UNC-A is working closely with the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute in the development of radio astronomy. The project will combine two large radio telescopes into a single instrument to enhance the ability to measure weak radio signals, according to Dennision.

“We will be doing a lot of research,” Dennision said.

N.C. State is the leading campus in research and projects compared to the other universities in the program, according to Fred DeJarnette, campus director of the N.C. Space Grant.

“NCSU has been an active member of the N.C. Space Grant since the creation in 1991,” DeJarnette said. Since then, the University has been involved in several projects concerning science and technology.

DeJarnette mentioned a current project by two faculty members and students to create “tumbleweed for Mars.” Instruments, developed through the project, will use the winds on Mars to measure temperatures and other scientific information about the planet.

Marc Fischer, the state associate director, said he finds the N.C. Space Grant contributes to educational and unique learning experiences, especially in math and science.

“These experiences allow the students to explore their career interest in a meaningful manner,” Fischer said.

Students have been affected by the impact of opportunities offered through the space grant.

James Oxendine, a senior in material science engineering, interned with NASA for two summers in a similar program provided by the N.C. Space Grant for undergraduate students.

“I thought I would be a paperboy,” Oxendine said, “but I actually got to work on projects along with the professionals.”

Oxendine said the LOLA camera he worked on will soon be used to take pictures of the moon’s surface to provide maps of topography. The maps then will be used to develop ways of humans landing on Mars.

Brown recommends “all students to look for opportunities” through the unique chances to work with science and technology offered by the N.C. Space Grant.

Students without science or mathematical majors are invited to apply for funding to research.

“There are many fields that students can be involved in,” DeJarnette said.

Through research grants for faculty and students applying for fellowships, internships and scholarships, “now everyone has an opportunity” to explore the fields of science and math, according to Dennision.

“N.C. Space Grant gets students directly involved,” Dennision said.