STEM Engagement at NASA – NeRDs Moonbase

Texas High School Aerospace Scholars: A Launchpad for Future Innovators

March 17, 2025 NeRD

NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement at Johnson Space Center offers Texas high school students a unique gateway to the world of space exploration through the High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS) program. This initiative gives juniors hands-on experience, working on projects that range from designing spacecraft to planning Mars missions. Nearly 30 participants who have been hired by NASA in the past five years are HAS alumni. Their stories highlight the program’s impact on students—inspiring innovation, fostering collaboration, unlocking their potential as they move forward into STEM careers. Discover how the…

University High Knows the Answers at NASA JPL Regional Science Bowl

March 3, 2025 NeRD

3 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) A team from University High School of Irvine, California, won the 2025 regional Science Bowl at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory on March 1. From left, co-coach Nick Brighton, sophomores Shloke Kamat and Timothy Chen, juniors Feodor Yevtushenko and Angelina Yan, senior Sara Yu, and coach David Knight. NASA/JPL-Caltech In a fast-paced competition, students showcased their knowledge across a wide range of science and math topics. What is the molecular geometry of sulfur tetrafluoride? Which layer of the Sun is…

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…