Space Grant Undergraduate Research Interns, Alexus Cazares, and Cathryn Sephus, recently participated in a pilot program for the first Space Camp at Biosphere 2 (SCB2). The program, a collaboration between the University of Arizona, Biosphere 2, and Kyoto University, targets undergraduate and graduate students in STEM for a research-intensive, multi-cultural program in-situ at B2. The Space Camp consisted of a series of lectures and experiments on Earth, Lunar, and planetary systems, and utilized the unique biomes at Biosphere 2 including the ocean, desert, and rainforest biomes. Participants worked directly with Kyoto University (KU) students and specialized UA and KU faculty members, as well as one former Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut. UA Space Grant was proud to have Cathryn and Alexus represent them in the pilot program, and they provided valuable feedback in preparation of the launch of a 6-day program occurring in August 2019.

Biosphere 2 is one of the world's most unique Earth systems research facilities dedicated to the understanding of global scientific issues. It houses seven model ecosystems of the Earth and was constructed in Oracle, Arizona, in 1991. It is a glass and steel structure on 3.15 acres and has been owned and operated by the University of Arizona since 2011.