Steven Smith, an Education Specialist from NASA's STEM Program, discusses unique opportunities for students in the lead-up to humanity's return to the Moon. The podcast covers projects and challenges available to students, the importance of STEM education, diversity and representation, various STEM programs for different age groups, COVID-19 adaptations, and collaboration in the astrophysics community. They also touch on potential scientific discoveries from Moon and Mars samples, support for Mars sample return mission, and clarification about conditions on Venus surface.
NASA's STEM program offers unique opportunities for students to get involved in humanity's return to the moon through projects like designing flagpoles and participating in the MicroG Neutral Buoyancy Experiment Design Teams.
The Artemis program aims to be inclusive and diverse, actively engaging young women and girls as well as historically marginalized communities to ensure representation in space exploration.
NASA's STEM program emphasizes collaboration, encouraging students from various disciplines to work together, learn from failure, and foster critical thinking skills and creativity.
Deep dives
NASA STEM Program and Opportunities for Students
NASA's STEM program is offering various opportunities for students to get involved in humanity's return to the moon through the Artemis program. These opportunities include working on projects such as designing flagpoles for the moon and participating in the MicroG Neutral Buoyancy Experiment Design Teams. Students can test their projects in the same Neutral Buoyancy Lab that astronauts use for training. The program aims to inspire and engage students in STEM fields and provide them with hands-on experiences and real-world challenges.
Representation and Inclusion in the Artemis Program
The Artemis program, named after the Greek goddess of the moon, aims to be inclusive and diverse, with a focus on representation. NASA is working towards sending the first woman and the first person of color to walk on the moon. The program is actively engaging young women and girls, providing resources and opportunities for them to pursue STEM and participate in space exploration. Efforts are also being made to reach out to historically marginalized communities, such as Native American and minority groups, to ensure that everyone feels welcome and empowered to be a part of this monumental endeavor.
Fostering Collaboration and Embracing Failure
NASA's STEM program emphasizes collaboration over competition, encouraging students to work together and share their ideas and expertise. Many of the programs and challenges promote collaboration between schools and involve students from various disciplines, not just STEM-related fields. Additionally, the program recognizes the importance of learning from failure and views it as a valuable part of the innovation process. Students are encouraged to take risks, try new things, and learn from their mistakes, fostering critical thinking skills and creativity.
Native American Culture Celebrates Identity
Native American tribes embrace their cultural identity, often translating their tribe name to 'the people.' For example, the Cherokee Nation and Telekwa of Loma celebrate STEM Day annually, inviting thousands of children to participate. This cultural celebration highlights the importance of cultural identity and encourages young Native Americans to engage in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
NASA's STEM Education Programs Across Age Groups
NASA's STEM education programs cater to a wide range of age groups, providing engaging and educational opportunities. The programs for elementary, middle, and high school students are based on hands-on activities aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards and the Common Core curriculum. College students participate in real-world projects, such as designing prototypes for space-related challenges. Additionally, NASA offers resources, webinars, and events for educators and parents to facilitate STEM learning at home. International students can also explore NASA's programs and internships, fostering collaborations and global space exploration efforts.
Steven Smith, an Education Specialist from NASA's Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (or STEM) Program, joins Planetary Radio to share some of the unique opportunities available for students in the lead-up to humanity's return to the Moon. Then Bruce Betts, the chief scientist of The Planetary Society, pops in for What's Up and a new random space fact.