STEM Engagement at NASA – NeRDs Moonbase

NASA Inspires High School Engineering Club

February 14, 2025 NeRD

2 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) The engineering club from Palmdale High School in Palmdale, California, visits NASA’s Armstrong Research Flight Center in Edwards, California. The students took a group photo in front of the historic X-1E aircraft on display at the center. NASA/Genaro Vavuris A group of enthusiastic high school students recently visited NASA to learn about facilities and capabilities that enable the agency’s researchers to explore, innovate, and inspire for the benefit of humanity. Engineering club students from Palmdale High School in California…

NASA Brings Space to New Jersey Classroom with Astronaut Q&A

February 5, 2025 NeRD

(Jan. 13, 2025) Astronaut Nick Hague swaps samples of materials to observe how they burn in weightlessness. Credit: NASA Students from the Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School in Somerset, New Jersey, will have the chance to connect with NASA astronaut Nick Hague as he answers prerecorded science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) related questions from aboard the International Space Station. Watch the 20-minute space-to-Earth call at 11:10 a.m. EST on Tuesday, Feb. 11, on NASA+ and learn how to watch NASA content on various platforms, including social media. Media interested…

NASA International Space Apps Challenge Announces 2024 Global Winners

January 16, 2025 NeRD

6 Min Read NASA International Space Apps Challenge Announces 2024 Global Winners The 2024 NASA Space Apps Challenge was hosted at 485 events in 163 countries and territories. Credits: NASA NASA Space Apps has named 10 global winners, recognizing teams from around the world for their exceptional innovation and collaboration during the 2024 NASA Space Apps Challenge. As the largest annual global hackathon, this event invites participants to leverage open data from NASA and its space agency partners to tackle real-world challenges on Earth and in space. Last year’s hackathon…

High School Aerospace Scholars Propel STEM Leaders Forward

January 13, 2025 NeRD

NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement at Johnson Space Center in Houston offers students a unique gateway to opportunity through the High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS) program. The initiative provides Texas juniors with hands-on experience in space exploration, working on projects ranging from rocket building to problem-solving in collaborative teams. The stories of HAS alumni highlight the program’s impact, showcasing how it has opened doors to diverse careers in STEM and inspired graduates to empower others. Johnson Community Engagement Lead Jessica Cordero, who served as the manager of the HAS program…

High School Aerospace Scholars Launches Dreams, Inspires the Artemis Generation

January 6, 2025 NeRD

To put boots on the Moon—and keep them there—will require bold thinkers ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. That’s why NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement at Johnson Space Center in Houston is on a mission to empower the next generation of explorers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Through the High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS) program, Texas juniors have the opportunity to immerse themselves in space exploration through interactive learning experiences. “HAS is such an important program because we introduce students to the multitude of careers and experiences…

Astronomy Activation Ambassadors: A New Era

December 31, 2024 NeRD

Learn Home Astronomy Activation… STEM Engagement at NASA Overview Learning Resources Science Activation Teams SME Map Opportunities More Science Activation Stories Citizen Science 3 min read Astronomy Activation Ambassadors: A New Era The NASA Science Activation Program’s Astronomy Activation Ambassadors (AAA) project aims to measurably enhance student Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) engagement via middle school, high school, and community college science teacher professional development. In 2024, AAA transitioned its focus to the development of an Astronomy Academy with varying levels of extent and intensity available to more…

NASA, Notre Dame Connect Students to Inspire STEM Careers

December 20, 2024 NeRD

2 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) Rebecca Anderson, a junior enrolled at the Portage School of Leaders High School in South Bend, Indiana, spent time with NASA Glenn Research Center’s Daniel Sutliff, an acoustic engineer, on the campus of the University of Notre Dame on Nov. 7, 2024. Students witnessed the operation of the Advanced Noise Control Fan owned by NASA and on loan to the university for STEM experiences. Credit: Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame High school students in Indiana are contributing to NASA’s…

NASA Names New Leader of STEM Engagement

December 16, 2024 NeRD

Portrait, Elaine Ho, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani) NASA Administrator Bill Nelson announced Monday Elaine P. Ho will serve as the next associate administrator of NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM), where she will lead the agency’s efforts to inspire Artemis Generation students and educators in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The role, based out of the agency’s headquarters in Washington, is effective immediately. Ho also will remain the associate administrator for the agency’s Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity while…

NASA Accelerates Space Exploration, Earth Science for All in 2024

December 6, 2024 NeRD

With a look back at 2024, NASA is celebrating its many innovative and inspiring accomplishments this year including for the first time, landing new science and technology on the Moon with an American company, pushing the boundaries of exploration by launching a new mission to study Jupiter’s icy moon Europa; maintaining 24 years of continuous human exploration off the Earth aboard the International Space Station, and unveiling the first look at its supersonic quiet aircraft for the benefit of humanity. The agency also shared the wonder of a total eclipse…

NASA Experts Share Inspiring Stories of Perseverance to Students

December 2, 2024 NeRD

3 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) A group of middle school students engage with a model aircraft while learning from NASA experts in the model lab at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California during an event hosted by NASA’s California Office of STEM Engagement. NASA/Steve Freeman In celebration of National Aviation History Month, experts from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, spoke with middle school students during a recent event hosted by NASA’s California Office of STEM Engagement. NASA Armstrong employees…