NASA EXPRESS -- Your STEM Connection for Dec. 18, 2025

Check out NASA's latest STEM opportunities and learning resources.

NASA STEM Engagement Make a STEM Connection: Winter Solstice On Sunday, Dec. 21, Earth will reach the point in its yearly orbit where the North Pole is tilted farthest away from the Sun. In the Northern hemisphere, this is the shortest day of the year and marks the official beginning of Winter. Celebrate the start of the new season with the activities and resources below. Videos: Solstice Animations Activity: Seasons Greenings Crossword: Earth's Seasons and the Sun NASA Space Place: All About Seasons NASA Spotlite Video: What Causes Seasons Activity: Great Lakes Seasonal Puzzle Storybook: The Mystery of the Missing Hummingbirds Visit the NASA STEM Search to find more activities and resources. Professional Development Opportunity Webinar: 3D Thursdays for Rural Educators – My NASA Data Event Date: Thursday, Jan. 8, at 8 p.m. EST Contact: Rachael.Arens@ops.org   Join NASA’s Science Mission Directorate for a monthly series that connects rural educators to resources, networking, and professional development opportunities.   This month’s webinar will feature Angela Rizzi, a lead on the My NASA Data Team. The My NASA Data website provides a user-friendly interface to visualize and analyze NASA Earth-observing datasets, along with standards-aligned lesson plans, activities, and other resources that connect NASA mission data to Earth System Science phenomena for grades 3-12. Click here to register to attend. Funding Opportunity NASA Science Activation Program Information Session: Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at 2 p.m. EST Notice of Intent Deadline: Monday, Jan. 26, 2026 Contact: lin.h.chambers@nasa.gov   NASA’s Science Mission Directorate is seeking proposals for collaborative projects that seek to connect NASA science with people of all ages and backgrounds in ways that activate minds and promote a deeper understanding of our world and beyond.   This proposal opportunity is open to U.S. organizations and institutions. A wide range of award sizes is expected, and awards are planned for up to a 5-year period of performance.   Click here to see full proposal guidelines. More to Explore What similarities can we find when we compare the extremely big to the incredibly small? A new collaboration between NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and Nikon Small World looks for the answer using imagery from some of the worldʼs most powerful telescopes and high-powered modern microscopes. What does the eye of a fruit fly have in common with the remains of an exploded star? Can a cell line look similar to a planetary nebula? Visit the new Micro to Macro website to find answers to questions like these and explore the world and universe around us like never before. Marvel at awe-inspiring images, learn about the technology used to capture them, and dive deeper with related activities. Click here to get started. Be a Virtual Guest at the Artemis II Launch and Sign Up to Receive the Artemis II STEM Learning Pathway Newsletter No later than April 2026, the Artemis II mission will launch a crew of four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the Moon. You're invited to join NASA as a virtual guest for the mission. Virtual guests will receive communications about launch schedule changes, information about launch-related activities, and access to curated STEM resources.   Are you ready to sign up? Click here to register to let NASA know that you’re hosting a watch party, virtually participating, or would like to receive the Artemis II STEM Learning Pathway, an add-on at the bottom of the registration page. Partner Opportunities 2026 Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award Nomination Deadline: Friday, Dec. 26 Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum: Teacher Innovator Institute Application Deadline: Friday, Jan. 23, 2026 2026 Department of Energy Scholars Program Application Deadline: Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 Want to subscribe to get this message delivered to your inbox each Thursday? Sign up for the NASA EXPRESS newsletter at https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/nasa-express. Are you looking for NASA STEM materials? Search hundreds of resources at https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/search. Check out the ‘Science for Everyone’ website! Science starts with questions, leading to discoveries. Visit https://science.nasa.gov/for-everyone. To view the site in Spanish, visit https://ciencia.nasa.gov. Are you looking for more NASA prizes, challenges, and crowdsourcing opportunities? Visit https://www.nasa.gov/get-involved/ to find ways to contribute to NASA’s work. Share This Email Share This Email Share This Email NASA Office of STEM Engagement We are engaging students in NASA’s exciting missions, broad range of careers, and unique opportunities. Visit nasa.gov/learning-resources/  Follow Us on Social Media The National Aeronautics and Space Administration As explorers, pioneers, and innovators, we boldly expand frontiers in air and space to inspire and serve America and to benefit the quality of life on Earth. Visit nasa.gov Follow NASA

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