Welcome to the RealWorld-InWorld NASA Engineering Design Challenge! In this unique education initiative, high-school-aged students work cooperatively as engineers and scientists to solve real-world problems related to the James Webb Space Telescope.

After exploring and designing solutions face-to-face in the RealWorld (Phase 1), interested teachers/coaches register teams of 3-5 high-school-aged students to be considered to continue their work InWorld (Phase 2), in a virtual world setting.

Participating college students build InWorld teams by selecting from registered teams and their teachers/coaches. Professional engineers and scientists are available for each InWorld team. In this virtual world setting, newly formed teams use 21st Century tools to refine designs and create 3D models of the Webb telescope. InWorld participation is limited to U.S. citizens.

The Challenge:

The James Webb Space Telescope will look backwards in time, seeking clues to the origins of Earth and life in the Universe. There are many challenges to designing this telescope.

Students will try to answer one of these two questions relating to the Webb telescope:

How can you design a shield to protect the Webb telescope?
How can you deliver the Webb telescope to space using existing rocket technology?

Project Background:

The James Webb Space Telescope is the next generation deep space imaging system. Visit the Webb telescope home page to learn more about the science and technology behind this revolutionary telescope.

Getting Started:

Visit NIA Universe:

The RealWorld-InWorld Public Space is under development. All registered users may explore this world, and others, as a tourist.

As a tourist, you will not be able to build and interact in this setting, but you will be able tour and explore several NIA Universe Worlds.

Once InWorld teams form, each member of the InWorld team will become a citizen in NIA Universe. Citizens can build, interact and collaborate with other citizens in this virtual world setting.

Press Room

These assets can be used to enhance RealWorld-InWorld (RWIW) communications, promote the RWIW NASA Engineering Design Challenge, and to encourage teachers, high-school-aged and college students, and professional mentors to participate in this challenge. These items are approved and ready for use:

1. Logos and Banners	Graphics for use in all communications.
2. Business Card	A double-sided, take-home card for audiences.
3. Description	A concise description of the initiative and Challenge.
4. Fact Sheet	The most relevant and important facts in the least amount of space.
5. FAQs (or dynamic page)	Anticipated, frequently asked questions.
6. Teacher E-Flyer	Colorful, one-page pamphlet targeted at teachers and students.
7. College Student E-Flyer	Colorful, one-page pamphlet targeted at college engineering students.
8. Mentor E-Flyer	Colorful, one-page pamphlet targeted at mentors
9. Invitation
9. Invitation	Direct invitation to teachers to register and participate.
10. News Release	A release emphasizing the unique virtual reality component.

As other items become available they will be added here.