US Education Department And NASA Team Up To Engage Students In STEM

The US Department of Education and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have joined hands to engage students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education through after-school programs. The initiative aims to engage nearly 1,000 students in over 60 cities across US 10 states.

NASA and the US Department of Education launched a program at Wheatley Education Campus in Washington, DC. The program will unlock limitless opportunities for students to explore, innovate, and thrive in STEM fields, a report by NASA said.

NASA, Glenn Research Centre in Cleveland will contribute NASA-related content, academic projects, in-person staff training, continuous program support, and opportunities for students to interact with NASA scientists and engineers. Under this program, students will use critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills to solve real-world challenges that the engineers and scientists of NASA may face.

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NASA’s STEM program is divided into 3 categories – For students, educators and college and universities

• For students, the STEM program is split in 4 groups: Space to Play (Grade K-4), Out-of-this-World Stuff (Grade 5-8), Experience NASA (Grades 9-12) and Explore Opportunities (College Students).
• For educators, the STEM program is divided into three categories – Grade K-4, Grades 5-8 and Grades 9-12.

Reportedly, NASA in collaboration with the education department, aims to create a brighter future for the next generation of explorers. NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy said, “We are committed to support after-school programs across the country with tools to engage students in the excitment of NASA. Through STEM investments like this, we aspire to ignite curiosity, nurture potential and inspire our nation’ future researchers, explorers and innovators”.

In 2023, NASA and US Department of Education signed an MoU to strengthen collaboration and expand efforts to increase the accessibility of high quality STEM and space education to students and schools across the US in 2024. NASA Glenn signed a follow-on space Act Agreement in order to support the 21st Century Community Learing Centres.