University of Houston-Clear Lake students will be free-falling this summer. Aileen Ebadat, Megan Ebadat, Sonya Morgan and Carolyn Jessop will be feeling zero gravity July 10ÐJuly 19 in the NASA Student Flight Program.

The Reduced Gravity Student Flight Opportunities Program gives undergraduate students the opportunity to successfully create, design, construct, fly and evaluate a reduced gravity experiment of their choice over the course of six months.

"The flight proposals are designed to motivate our scientists and engineers to continue in their specific disciplines," said Donn Sickorez, university affairs officer for Johnson Space Center. "If it motivates any of our scientists and generates new ideas then [the proposal] has done its job."

The acronym for the student's project is FINGER, which stands for finger-flexion investigation in gravitationally exempt realm. The purpose of the experiment is to discover the effects on the human body and to determine the effects of micro gravity on spinal cord excitability. To accomplish this investigation, they will do tendon taps and mild electrical stimulation.

"What our research project is saying is that if spinal cord excitability is compromised, then all the research in the area of exercise is not worth it because the exercises will be harder and harder for [the astronauts] and not be as effective," Aileen Ebadat said.

The student team consists of two sets of sisters. Aileen and Megan Ebadat are sisters and Sonya Morgan and Carolyn Jessop are sisters.

Aileen Ebadat is a pre-med student pursuing a bachelor's degree in biology, Megan Ebadat, a dual credit student, is pursuing an associate's degree in math and international business at San Jacinto College South.

Morgan is pursuing a bachelor's degree in biological science, has an associate's degree in chemistry and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa. Jessop is pursuing a bachelor's degree in finance and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa.

Aileen Ebadat credits her reflex idea to Rick Puzdrowski, assistant professor of biology, and Ron Mills, professor of biology and chemistry at UH-Clear Lake. They served as advisors throughout the project. Megan Ebadat also credits Catherine O'Brien and Cynthia Hoobler, biology professors at San Jacinto College South, with valuable assistance.

"When I started to do some research on the idea of reflex testing, I realized that not much had been done and [the idea of reflex testing] is still new," Aileen Ebadat said.

Jessop and Megan Ebadat are responsible for the outreach programs and public relations for the project. Meagan Ebadat maintains the ÔReflexions' Web site.

"We are required to have an outreach program as to how we are going to get the word out about our project. NASA is interested in recruits," Megan Ebadat said. "We are hoping talk to some high school students that are going into college next year who are interested in doing experiments. We will also be talking to the Girl Scouts to expose them to what we are doing. We want to get them interested in science and math."

"We will also have an exhibit in the Museum of Health and Science," Jessop said.

There are several steps required to get a proposal through the acceptance process. First, there is the competition step, which requires a letter of intent to submit a proposal, the proposal itself, and the evaluation of the proposal by NASA scientists and engineers. Second, there is the team selection. Lastly, there is the participation in which the actual flight takes place.

According to NASA, the actual plane that the FINGER team will be using is a KC-135, which is a four-engine turbo jet. The cargo bay test area of the plane is approximately 60 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 7 feet high. The aircraft is equipped with electrical power, an overboard vent system and photographic lights. Air and nitrogen sources are also available. Typical experiments usually last two to three hours and, in that time, the plane does 30 to 40 parabolas.

"The plane actually free falls for 20 to 30 seconds creating zero gravity," Morgan said.

One of the tests the FINGER team will undergo is going into a chamber with decreased air pressure to check their reactions.

As for other students thinking of submitting a proposal, the FINGER team has some encouraging words.

"Think research, do a lot of research to get an original idea and run with it," Morgan said. "For us it's more about pride, and as sisters we are doing something together."

"I think the team should be compatible and celebrate their victory," Jessop said.

Aileen Ebadat points out that to get this opportunity is a once in a lifetime experience.

"How many people can say I was a person who got to do zero g's?" Aileen Ebadat said. "How many people really have this experience? I can tell my kids that I experienced zero gravity. Never underestimate yourself."

Megan Ebadat agrees, "It's hard work but it's completely worth it. This really is a once in a lifetime experience."

Sickorez points out some things to consider before submitting a proposal for testing and evaluation.

"Choose something that you are curious about," Sickorez said. "If you have been wondering how something works, go with that idea. Look up the review of literature on your topic. Reasonable biographies are becoming more and more a necessity. Do the research on your idea at the library, not the Internet."

"Hopefully we will find ways to enhance the exercises done by the astronauts and make it beneficial while they are in space." Morgan said.

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