NASA Science Events and Activities

Let NASA bring the universe to you this Spring!

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.

May Events & Activities

Now – June 30th: NASA Space Place Art Challenge!

Do you love making art and using your imagination? So do we! Every NASA mission starts with a creative idea about how to explore something in a new way.

For this new challenge, we’d like to challenge young explorers to think about and draw a space-related situation each month. And after the month is over, we’ll select a few imaginative drawings to be featured on the NASA Space Place website!

So, get ready to exercise that creative brain of yours!

Learn more on the Space Place website.

May 2 – July 31st: NASA’s Astrophoto Challenges

Join NASA's Universe of Learning for an exciting opportunity to use real astronomical data and tools to create your own images of the eruptive Eta Carinae star system and the nebula in which it resides - the Carina Nebula. Use your images to explore the impact of Eta Carinae in the environment of the Carina Nebula, or just create an image that you think is beautiful. You can capture your own real-time telescope image using the MicroObservatory robotic telescope network. You can also work with an archived set of data files taken with 3 multi-wavelength NASA space telescope missions (Hubble, Chandra, and Spitzer) and two ground-based telescopes (NOIRLab's Schmidt and Carnegie's Magellan).

The NASA’s Astrophoto Challenges provide learners of all familiarity levels authentic experiences using real astrophysics data, including those from NASA space-based missions. Participants engage in the scientific practices of a scientist through accessible data tools and experiences while they create and share their composite images.

The challenges also feature short videos by professional astronomers. These subject matter experts provide science content knowledge of Eta Carinae and the Carina Nebula as observed across the electromagnetic spectrum. Submit your creations to the challenges and they may be highlighted as standout entries commented on by scientists.

Join the NASA's Astrophoto Challenges (Starting May 2nd!)

Learn more about other opportunities to discover the universe for yourselves on NASA's Universe of Learning website.

May 21 – Physics in an Astronomy Context: Monthly Virtual Workshops for Physics Educators

NASA’s Heliophysics Education Activation Team (HEAT), the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), and Temple University recently put together a free, monthly, virtual workshop series for high school and undergraduate-level introductory physics teachers. These workshops began in February and will continue through May 2022. There is one remaining sessions:

May 21 - Exploring Physics and Space Science with AAPT DigiKits

Time: 1 – 2:30 p.m. ET
Register

Learn more about the AAPT/Temple/NASA HEAT collaboration.

May 28 – Integrative STEM Education Best Practices Virtual STEMinar Series for Educators Next Topic: 5E, 6E, 7E Lesson Models: What's the Big Deal About "E's?

This specially designed professional development STEMinar series focuses on Technology and Engineering Education best practices for leading Integrative STEM Education (I-STEM Ed). The 5E instructional model has been the foundation for constructivist learning for more than 4 decades. Reinforce and strengthen your understanding of the 5E model and its 6E and 7E model derivations. During this STEMinar, you will get a sneak preview of NASA eClips' revised engineering design packets and the role they play to propel 6E and 7E learning. (Presented by: Sharon Bowers, Joan Harper-Neely & Betsy McAllister.)

On-Demand Events & Activities

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, which launched successfully in December 2021. Learn about: