On Saturday, an annular solar eclipse will cross North, Central, and South America. Make the most of this rare event with NASA learning resources including activities, citizen science opportunities, and more.
Put safety first with training about the science behind this type of eclipse, how to view the eclipse safely, and activities to engage others. | | Professional Development Opportunities | | Are you looking for new ways to engage students in STEM learning? Join us for grade-specific educator professional development sessions to learn about the new NASA SPARX (Sparking Participation and Real-world eXperiences in STEM) project. | |  | Sessions Dates: Monday, Oct. 16, and Tuesday, Oct. 17 For grades 6-8, NASA SPARX challenges students to become engineers to help the AstrobioBot rover complete its mission on Mars. Participants will build wheels and robotic arms, design devices and tools to search and explore, and learn about the difficulties encountered when landing on other worlds. Registration closes on Sunday, Oct. 15. Click here to register. | | | | Session Dates: Wednesday, Oct. 18, and Thursday, Oct. 19
For grades 9-12, NASA SPARX challenges students to find innovative ways to use NASA technologies to solve problems within their communities. NASA technologies that benefit life on Earth in the form of commercial products are called spinoffs. Participants will explore NASA technologies, propose a spinoff of their own, and develop a prototype as part of an engineering design challenge. Registration closes on Tuesday, Oct. 17. Click here to register. | | | | Do you have questions about SPARX or these information sessions? Contact the SPARX team at SPARX@mail.nasa.gov. | | Audience: Educators of grades 6-12 The NASA eClips team invites you to engage your students in producing NASA Spotlite videos. These short (90-120 second) student-produced videos allow learners to actively confront and disprove science misconceptions. Attend one of the upcoming informational 45-minute webinars to learn about forming a Spotlite Production Team: -- Wednesday, Oct. 18, at 2 p.m. EDT -- Thursday, Oct. 19, at 11 a.m. EDT -- Monday, Oct. 23, at 5 p.m. EDT Participants will learn the five steps to make an engaging Spotlite video and how to integrate this project-based, real-world, authentic design challenge into their programs. Click here to register. | | Webinars Presented in English and Spanish – In the Clouds: Taking Cloud Observations for NASA Audience: Kids ages 5-13 and their families Spanish Webinar Date: English Webinar Date: Have you noticed how many different types of clouds can appear in the sky? Did you know that each one has its very own name? Learn all about these puffy giants with NASA scientist Marilé Colón Robles and discover how clouds affect you and the world around you every day. After this session you and your family will be able to name different types of clouds, understand which ones bring rain and snow, and discover how they change throughout the year. This webinar will be presented in Spanish and English. Click the webinar dates above to register to attend. | | The latest NASA eClips newsletter has resources to help K-12 educators throughout the new school year. Engage your learners in one of our two new Spotlite Design Challenges: “Can Plants Dance?” and “Solar Eclipse Chasers.” But first, explore NASA resources to prepare for the upcoming solar eclipses. | | Audience: Educators of grades K-8 NOAA and NASA’s Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) is an advanced series of polar-orbiting environmental satellites that supports global observations and forecasts. Encourage students to do their own observations of the nature around them with this downloadable journal. Filled with guided observation prompts, this nature journal is a tool that can be used to explore the outdoors and be more mindful of the environments, habitats, and weather in our own neighborhoods. | | Audience: Educators of grades 5-12 NOAA and NASA’s Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) provides data and imagery to scientists, businesses, planners, and government agencies so they can make maps with helpful information. Known as Geographic Information Systems, these GIS maps can be used to keep track of events, facts, activities, objects, and more. In this activity, students are introduced to the process of making a basic GIS map that documents tornado touchdowns. | | Audience: Students enrolled at Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU), Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions (NASNTI), and student members of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) Notice of Intent Deadlines: Moon and Mars Tracks – Friday, Oct. 20 Gateway Track – Monday, Dec. 18 The annual First Nations Launch competition offers student teams the opportunity to demonstrate engineering and design skills through direct application in high-powered rocketry. Teams are guided through the engineering process on one of three tracks (Gateway, Moon, and Mars) to design, build, and fly high-powered rockets. Don’t have any engineering, design, or rocketry skills yet? Students from all majors can sign up for the no experience necessary Gateway track where they’ll receive all the instruction and support they need to design, build, and fly their first rocket. Teams also give back to their communities by conducting outreach and serving as role models to inspire the next generation of explorers. The competition is managed by Wisconsin Space Grant and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. | | Notice of Intent Deadline: Sunday, Oct. 22 Entry Deadline: Feb. 1, 2024 The 2024 Breakthrough, Innovative and Game-changing (BIG) Idea Challenge seeks proposals from student teams demonstrating inflatable technologies, structures, and systems for lunar operations (exclusions apply). Selected teams will receive $50,000 to $150,000 to bring their ideas to life. When selecting proposals, NASA is looking for a variety of diverse perspectives. A goal is to expand submissions from new institutions, diverse teams, interdisciplinary teams, and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). | | Event Date: Tuesday, Oct. 24-Wednesday, Oct. 25 This virtual event invites faculty and administrators from Minority Serving Institutions and Historically Black Colleges and Universities to network with federal government representatives, NASA center leads, and NASA prime contractors to introduce and build relationships to enhance partnerships and maximize opportunities.
The event will include technical workshops to assist participants in strengthening their organization's readiness to apply for NASA funding. | | Opportunities With Our Partners | | Webinar Date: Tuesday, Oct. 24, at 6 p.m. EDT | | Webinar Date: Thursday, Nov. 9, 8 - 9:30 p.m. EST | | Entry Deadline: Sunday, Nov. 12, at 11:59 p.m. EST | |
Are you looking for NASA STEM materials to support your curriculum?
Find NASA science resources for your classroom. The NASA Science Activation (SciAct) program connects diverse learners of all ages with science in ways that activate minds and promote a deeper understanding of our world and beyond. https://science.nasa.gov/learn
Check out the ‘Explore NASA Science’ website! Science starts with questions, leading to discoveries. Visit science.nasa.gov. To view the site in Spanish, visit ciencia.nasa.gov. | | Visit NASA STEM Engagement on the Web: | | | | | | |
