Science Activation Stories

These highlights illustrate the range of activities conducted by the Science Activation collaborative network that reach learners of all ages using NASA Science-funded experts, content, or authentic experiences.

Watch How Students Help NASA Grow Plants in Space: Growing Beyond Earth

2 min read

Since 2015, students from across the USA have been partnering with scientists at NASA to advance research on growing plants in space, ultimately to feed astronauts on long-distance space missions, as part of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s Growing Beyond Earth…

Article5 days ago

Kites in the Classroom: Training Teachers to Conduct Remote Sensing Missions

3 min read

The NASA Science Activation program’s AEROKATS and ROVER Education Network (AREN), led by Wayne Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA) in Wayne County, MI, provides learners with hands-on opportunities to engage with science instruments & NASA technologies and practices in authentic,…

Article1 week ago

Educator Night at the Museum of the North: Activating Science in Fairbanks Classrooms

2 min read

The NASA Heliophysics Education Activation Team (NASA HEAT) set out to activate science in Fairbanks classrooms in early October at the University of Alaska’s Museum of the North annual Educators’ Night. This free Fall semester event introduces educators and school…

Article1 week ago

Europa Trek: NASA Offers a New Guided Tour of Jupiter’s Ocean Moon

3 min read

NASA Science Activation's Solar System Treks collaborated with Astrobiology SciComm Guild SMEs to create enhancements to the Europa Trek portal.

Article1 week ago
Screenshot from video featuring SME Corey Twine sitting in front of his exercise equipment with his name and title, Astronaut Strength and Conditioning Specialist from NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

How Do Astronauts Get in Shape? – New “Ask SME” from NASA eClips

2 min read

The NASA Science Activation program’s NASA eClips project, led by the National Institute of Aerospace (NIA), aims to increase Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics (STEM) literacy and inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists by providing effective web-based, standards-aligned,…

Article3 weeks ago
A group photo of all the organizers and participating educators in front of the NASA logo

Connected Learning Ecosystems: Educators Learning and Growing Together

3 min read

On August 19-20, 53 educators from a diverse set of learning contexts (libraries, K-12 classrooms, 4-H afterschool clubs, outdoor education centers, and more) gathered in Orono, Maine for the Learning Ecosystems Northeast (LENE) biannual Connect, Reflect, & Plan Connected Learning…

Article4 weeks ago
Two male cadets wearing solar viewing glasses stare with excitement into the distance.

GLOBE Eclipse and Civil Air Patrol: An Astronomical Collaboration

3 min read

The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a volunteer organization that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force. The organization has an award-winning aerospace education program that promotes Science, Technology Engineering, & Mathematics (STEM)-related careers and…

Article4 weeks ago
3 teachers at the GMRI summer institute look at a series of NDVI data on small individual maps. One of the teachers is pointing at the small maps, and another had Google Maps open on their nearby computer. In the background, another group of teachers looks at the same data.

Science Activation’s PLACES Team Facilitates Third Professional Learning Institute

5 min read

The NASA Science Activation program’s Place-Based Learning to Advance Connections, Education, and Stewardship (PLACES) project supports middle and high school educators to engage students in data-rich Earth science learning through the integration of NASA data sets, images, classroom lessons, and…

Article4 weeks ago
A standing adult who appears to have dropped a ball leans over a large pan on the floor, which holds different colored materials and the ball. Two smiling adults in the background watch.

Culturally Inclusive Planetary Engagement in Colorado

2 min read

In August 2024, the NASA Science Activation program’s Planetary Resources and Content Heroes (ReaCH) project held a Culturally Inclusive Planetary Engagement workshop at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics in Boulder, Colorado for the planetary science community. These workshops…

Article4 weeks ago
Dark sky background with list of the new VALUE Bundle themes, Earth’s Moon, Explore Planets, Forces of Flight, Magnets, Planets, and Plants.

New NASA eClips VALUE Bundles for Learners with Varied Needs

2 min read

The NASA Science Activation program’s NASA eClips project, led by the National Institute of Aerospace (NIA), aims to increase Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics (STEM) literacy and inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists by providing effective web-based, standards-aligned,…

Article1 month ago