Once a student enters high school, the focus for learning in science inevitably shifts to subject-based classes and curricula. Educators are now ready to present real scientific data to students, with real results. The Cassini Mission is and will deliver a plethora of data back to Earth throughout its mission to the vast Saturnian system. With its sophisticated and cutting-edge instruments, the Cassini-Huygens mission will uncover so many mysteries about interstellar space, the vast planet of Saturn, its atmosphere, and its many moons, including Titan. This data is prime educational material for high school educators, as it is data that is recorded and measured.

The 9-12 program will encourage guided training and provide image-processing software to aid in the education of analyzing real mission data. To achieve this, the Cassini Education Program has partnered with several organizations aimed at providing this technology for 9-12 students. For example, the Space Science and Education Working Group has partnered with the Education Program to facilitate student interpretation of the data received from the Cassini Mission and enrich the scientific investigation of the data.

The 9-12 Program will be built on 3 different levels.

• Novice - students will observe and gain comprehension using units created for the program

• Apprentice - students will learn methods of analysis and practice application on simulated data sets

• Journeyperson - students will participate in in-depth data analysis of real mission data in partnership with Cassini mission scientists.