K-12 students will make complementary measurements of the atmosphere from the ground. They will measure the amount of UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface using small, hand-held instruments costing around $40. They will also measure particulates in the atmosphere around their schools—a good indicator of pollution. These measurements will be gathered in a database that will be accessible by other students in the region and the world.

"As a result of Citizen Explorer research, students will be able to make their own determinations of ozone levels and take their research into consideration when hearing stories regarding skin cancer and other health effects," said one fifth-grade teacher. The Citizen Explorer Mission is being put together by the Colorado Space Grant Consortium, led by the University of Colorado. The support network for the mission is an exceptional group of colleges and universities, industry partners, university faculty and students, amateurs, K-12 educators, and government supporters. To learn more about the Citizen Explorer Mission, visit the following website: citizen-explorer.colorado.edu.