NASA Science Events and Activities

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Let NASA bring the universe to your home! We’re inviting every student, educator, and lifelong learner to share in the excitement of scientific discovery and space exploration through unique opportunities from NASA’s Science Activation Program—a community-based approach to connect NASA science with learners of all ages.

Below you will find a current roundup of fun and engaging educational activities for families and students in kindergarten and up.

October 2021

October 1 – 31

Urban Heat Island Effect Campaign

Calling all educators and students – Help NASA discover how the land cover of the ground affects its surface temperature this October as GLOBE Mission Earth investigates, "How does surface cover affect surface temperature?" Information on how to participate, including a teacher guide, protocol, and data sheets, can be found here.

 

Oct - Nov 11 (on demand)

Virtual Webb STEAM Day: A STEM + Arts interactive experience

NASA invites learners of all ages, including students and teachers, to a virtual interactive learning experience about the James Webb Space Telescope ahead of its upcoming launch in December.

  • This virtual interactive event is available at https://go.nasa.gov/WebbSTEAMDay 
  • Hear pre-recorded talks about Webb’s early design; the critical three-week period after launch; learn how Webb will extend the scientific discoveries of other NASA missions, starting with the release of stunning images six months after launch; talks by scientists and former Webb program interns, and more.  
  • Visit the press release for more information.

 

October 21 at 5:30 p.m. EDT 

Ask The Astronomers Live Chat: Your M87 Galaxy Images

This is a monthly live chat event featuring two professional astronomers who discuss and take audience questions on a topic that is timely and relevant to current astrophysics news. The discussion is facilitated by host Phil Lamarr.

  • The Oct. 21 event announces the standout entries of NASA’s Astrophoto Challenges held earlier this year.
  • Two guest astronomers, Alyssa Pagan of AURA/STScI and Angelo Ricarte of Harvard-Smithsonian CfA, will share and discuss the standout entries during the live chat.
  • The event website is here and the hashtag is #AskTheAstronomersLive
  • Join us on YouTube

 

October 23 from 1-2:30 p.m. EDT 

Physics in an Astronomy Context: A Workshop Series Register Here (Free)

Hosted by the AAPT/Temple team of the NASA Heliophysics Education Activation Team, this workshop provides scientific background (a "mini" presentation on the relevant astronomy), an opportunity to work through student materials, and a chance to connect with like-minded educators. These activities are appropriate for introductory physics (high school, college, intro university). There is no cost to attend workshops!

 

November 2021

November 24

The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) is NASA's first flight demonstration for planetary defense. Prior to DART’s launch in November, explore some of the asteroids in our solar system:

  • Find a story in the rocks. Virtually examine some asteroids (and even some pieces of Mars!) with the Astromaterials 3D Interactive.
  • Virtually fly around and explore the potentially hazardous near-Earth asteroid Bennu with NASA Treks, then 3D print your very own asteroid Bennu with NASA’s 3D Resources!
  • Where are all the small worlds? Explore the skies to discover and visit asteroids (and other planetary bodies) in this interactive online experience from Infiniscope. Available in English or Spanish.

 

December 2021

December 18

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope: Launch Date

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope will be the largest, most powerful and complex space telescope ever built and launched into space. It will fundamentally alter our understanding of the universe. Celebrate the upcoming launch with these offerings: