NASA Science Events and Activities
Let NASA bring the universe to you!
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. Check out these events and activities for educators, families, and students in kindergarten and up.
Upcoming Events & Activities
June 20-22: Middle School Science Summer Camp at Choctaw Cultural Center, Oklahoma
The NASA Science Activation program’s Native Earth | Native Sky project invites all rising middle-schoolers to a Science Summer Camp at the Choctaw Cultural Center in Durant, Oklahoma. From June 20-22, 2023, up to thirty learners will experience the new Native Earth | Native Sky Choctaw Nation middle school earth-sky curriculum.
If your middle schooler is interested in attending, please fill out the Science Summer Camp Application.
June 27-29: Virtual Field Trip Workshop for Educators
If you’re a formal/informal educator or subject matter expert who wants to take your learners on an incredible virtual adventure, the Infiniscope project has an amazing summer workshop for you.
Virtual field trips enable students to explore the world around them free from the limitations of traditional field trips. This free workshop will give you the tools you need to deliver place-based education that’s accessible to all your learners.
- Date: June 27-29, 2023
- Time: 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. ET
- Learn more and register.
Infiniscope is a NASA-funded project that is transforming Earth and space science education and empowering educators through the creation of high-quality adaptive digital learning experiences, educator professional development, a community of practice, creative tools for designing digital content, and a robust set of educator resources.
June – November: Culturally Inclusive Planetary Engagement Workshops (In-Person)
NASA Science Activation’s Planetary Resources and Content Heroes (ReaCH) team invites planetary scientists and astrobiologists (including graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, engineers and technicians) and informal (out-of-school time) educators to apply to attend a Culturally Inclusive Planetary Engagement professional development workshop.
During the workshop, scientists and educators are paired together and supported in bi-directional conversations around diversity and inclusion in engaging Black and Latinx audiences in planetary science. Participants also co-create and lead hands-on activities during a public engagement event following the workshop held in collaboration with a local youth-serving organization. These events allow workshop participants the opportunity to practice engagement strategies discussed in the workshop.
Workshop Dates & Locations:
- June 8-10 | Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana
- June 22-24 | SETI Institute in Mountain View, California
- August 17-19 | Pérez Art Museum in Miami, Florida
- September TBD
- September/October TBD
- November 2-4 | Puerto Rico
On-Demand Events & Activities
Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA Program Cookbook
Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA is a project within NASA’s Universe of Learning that empowers libraries and community-based organizations to engage girls and their families in exploring the wonders of NASA science and celebrate the contributions of women to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM).
The Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA Program Cookbook has been designed to guide educators in creating their events. It includes “recipes” about different astrophysics-related topics with sample scenarios, accessibility tips, information on how to request a subject matter expert for the events, and much more!
Access the Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA Program Cookbook
James Webb Space Telescope STEM Toolkit
The James Webb Space Telescope will be a giant leap forward in our quest to understand the universe and its origins. Webb will examine every phase of cosmic history from the first luminous glows after the Big Bang, to the formation of galaxies, stars, and planets, to the evolution our own solar system. NASA has put together a Webb STEM Toolkit so that students can participate in the excitement of the James Webb Space Telescope too! Whether you’re a student ready to learn or an educator looking to #UnfoldtheUniverse with your students, this Toolkit contains wonderful resources, activities, videos, lesson plans, and more.
Access the James Webb Space Telescope STEM Toolkit
Explore Planetary Defense
Did you know that NASA has an entire office dedicated to defending our planet?!
Asteroids and comets have slammed into planets, moons, and asteroids throughout our solar system, including our Earth. NASA scientists and engineers are studying asteroids and comets, where they are, and how to deflect them from Earth in the future.
In fact, in November 2021, NASA launched the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) – the first-ever spacecraft designed to impact an asteroid as a test of technology. But don’t worry – DART’s target asteroid is NOT a threat to Earth. DART is targeting an asteroid system that’s a perfect testing ground to see if intentionally crashing a spacecraft into an asteroid is an effective way to change its course, should an Earth-threatening asteroid be discovered in the future.
Families and informal-educators can help learners discover how planetary scientists explore the characteristics of asteroids and comets using candy bars, dry ice, and more with these hands-on, interactive asteroid/planetary defense activities and resources from the Lunar & Planetary Institute.