Young science students are often told that their body and everything around them is made of stardust. The statement is meant to evoke wonder and challenge their conceptions about the origins of matter and life on our planet. While the statement is true, it is an oversimplification of many profoundly complex processes that began billions of years ago in the deep recesses of our universe.  The issue of the origin of matter and life on Earth is problematic as it cannot be honestly addressed without acknowledging the perspectives of the  religious and non-scientific communities who hold radically different opinions as to the origin of life and matter. Science educators find ourselves in a precarious position as we attempt to teach evolutionary theory without disrespecting the views of our diverse student populations.  This is indeed a difficult proposition because technological improvements in   spectroscopic methods and space / ground based telescopes have given researchers in the fields of  astrochemistry, molecular astrophysics, and astrobiology the ability    to investigate the farthest reaches of our galaxy.   We now know of more than 120 chemicals that exist in the Interstellar Medium: many of which are prebiotic and ( under the correct conditions) able to catalyze essential biotic functions.  Recent discoveries of these and other organic molecules in the Dense Interstellar Medium along with new understandings of the functions of RNA suggest that the origin of the prebiotic molecules that spawned life on our planet may in fact be extraterrestrial.
One of the  molecules that has provoked intense speculation of the role of space borne prebiotic compounds is the diose glycolaldehyde. Glycolaldehyde is of importance because it is a precursor to more complex sugars which are essential components in the structrure of DNA.  Glycolaldehyde was detected in a Dense Molecular Cloud located towards the Galactic Center Source Sgr B2 (N) in 2000 by James Hollis, Lovas and Jewell with the NRAO 12 meter radiotelescope. The molecule was identified by  the presesence of five rotational transitions between 71 and 104 GHz (1).  The discovery was verified by Hollis et. al. in 2003 (2)  using the Green Bank 100 m telescope. 
As science educator, I find the work of astrochemist to be an invaluable addition to my understanding of chemical processes that inform many of the concepts that I teach in my chemistry classroom. Their work also helps me bridge the gap between those who  accept a scientific explanation of the origin of life and those that do not. Being able to discuss  the "gaps" and new discoveries in our knowledge of the origin of life and matter helps me to create a learning enviornment where all points of view are respected and included.  Such a classroom is not governed by a need to prove or disprove theories, rather it  is a place where discourse and inquiry are the norm.
This webproject will explore the technology of astrochemisty and the spectroscopic methods used to explore the presence of glycoladehyde within  the Interstellar Medium.