During 2005, a team from Western Oregon University was selected to participate in NASA's Reduced Gravity Student Flight Opportunities Program (RGSFOP). In a combined research effort with a team from Oregon State University, the WOUMFT and OSUMFT conducted a Physics Feasibility Test of a Zero Criticality Rotating Fluidized Bed Space Reactor. As required by the RGSFOP, in addition to designing, constructing, and presenting the experiment, the team members were also full time undergraduate students.

In a follow-up experiment for the 2006 RGSFOP, one 2005 WOU alum, Mandy Martin, will accompany the OSUMFT conducting the experiment.

This year, the WOUMFT is developing a project for the 2008 RGSFOP (Proposal due: Oct. 2007) and is currently seeking sponsorship to fund the following endeavors: project assembly, travel, the creation of outreach opportunities for elementary, middle, and high school students, presentations to the academic community, professional societies, and the general public.

If you are interested in participating in our outreach programs, sponsoring our team, or just have general questions, please feel free to contact us.