About Science Activation

The NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD) Science Activation (SciAct) program is a competitively-selected network of collaborative projects that seek to connect NASA Science with people of all ages and backgrounds in ways that activate minds and promote a deeper understanding of our world and beyond, with the ultimate Vision: 

To increase learners’ active participation in the advancement of human knowledge. 

Explore the SciAct program’s annual Impact Reports.  

We Connect and Collaborate: A Collective Impact Approach

Since its inception in 2016, the SciAct program has adopted a collective-impact, network-of-networks approach. A small group at NASA serves as the “backbone organization” that supports, leads, and coordinates collaboration across a cooperative, nationwide network of 50 competitively selected SciAct teams and NASA infrastructure activities. These teams of community-based learning providers, educators, and experts, work together to connect people of all ages and backgrounds with NASA science experts, exciting NASA content, and authentic science experiences. 

Through values-based decision making and community building, intentional and independent evaluation, efficient coordination of mutually reinforcing activities, and open and continuous communication, SciAct works to activate minds, deepen understanding of our world and beyond, and create learner pathways to STEM careers. 

Explore Science Activation Teams

We Reach and Engage: Learners Across the Nation and Beyond

In 2023, the Science Activation program facilitated 65 million learner interactions in the United States and 10 million abroad. The program is now working to bolster its already impressive reach and engagement successes through enhanced communications and social media strategies that leverage NASA’s extensive networks. As one example, the SciAct communications and project teams collaborated to compile and organize a wealth of back-to-school resources for teachers in August 2022 and again in 2023. These campaigns help expose millions more potential learners and educators to NASA science learning resources.

Explore the Science Activation Interactive Reach Map

We Leverage: 525 Partners

SciAct achieves its impressive nationwide and international reach in two primary ways:

1. Teams enter into cross-collaborations within the program to leverage each others’ assets and expertise. This reduces any duplication of effort and promotes efficiency to accomplish shared goals.
2. Teams engage in strategic partnerships with additional community-based and audience-based organizations to support institutional, state, and local efforts to optimize the taxpayer investment. Each team selects and develops those relationships that help them best achieve their objectives and meet the needs of all learners. Since the beginning of the SciAct program in 2016, these partnerships have more than doubled, with teams reporting 525 active external partners in 2022. 

Leveraging partnerships and collaborating both internally and externally amplifies SciAct’s impact for learners across the Nation and enables connections in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 4 U.S. territories. 

Explore the Science Activation Partner Map

We Inspire: Learners and Scientists

NASA and NASA-funded scientists work with SciAct, both behind the scenes and interacting directly with people of all ages and backgrounds, to share the story and adventure of NASA Science. Throughout 2022, more than 745 subject matter experts participated in and helped produce accurate, compelling, and innovative SciAct events and products—giving learners the opportunity to learn from and work hand-in-hand with real scientists in inspiring and engaging ways.

Explore the Science Activation Subject Matter Experts Map

We Innovate: Evidence-Based Learning Solutions

Since SciAct began, our teams have reported 140+ peer-reviewed publications documenting evidence-based solutions for reaching and motivating people of all ages and backgrounds so that others can benefit from our lessons learned. To date, these publications have been cited more than 1400 times. The h-index of the collection is 19, meaning that 19 of the publications have been cited at least 19 times.  The most cited publication, on the topic of virtual field trips, has itself been cited more than 150 times.

Explore SciAct Peer-Reviewed Publications

We Provide: Learning & Educational Resources

SciAct offers a range of resources and opportunities that invite learners of all ages to participate in authentic science. The SciAct Catalog of Learning and Educational Activities & Resources from NASA (LEARN) Science provides a searchable, filterable collection of over 1000 resources to support learners in a variety of learning contexts.

Explore LEARN Science Resources & Other Collections

We Empower: Reaching Everyone

Since it began, SciAct has been committed to sharing NASA science with as many people as possible. SciAct brings new people to the process of science via projects and activities specifically designed to support people based on geographical regions and specific audience segments, as well as projects that are broadly open and accessible to everyone.

Explore Science Activation Areas of Focus for Broadening Participation

Foundation

The SciAct program has been based on expert guidance from the National Academies. A workshop in 2014 informed the initial design of the program.  An expert committee reviewed the program in 2019, and provided a report with recommendations to guide the project into its second phase. One of those recommendations led to the engagement of a portfolio evaluation team which developed guiding tools including logic models for the program. Another committee of experts reviewed the program again in 2023/24 and issued a report to guide the 3^rd phase of SciAct.

View SciAct Logic Model

History

SciAct represents a culture change from the previous model (in effect 1993-2014) in which each science mission devoted 1% of its budget to education and public outreach.  While that model resulted in some impactful work that was well-tied to NASA mission science, it also eventually led to silos and duplication.

SciAct began with a stand-alone Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN), then moved into the Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) omnibus solicitation. SciAct solicitations and selections are summarized below.