Christin Mcneil’s Post

Community College Students: The deadline to apply for Mission 1 of the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) is June 10! NCAS has 3 sequential missions. Mission 1 is a 5-week, self-paced online course. Students will gain a broad knowledge of what NASA has in its current plan and how they can play a role. STEM based activities embedded in the online course include live and recorded subject matter expert lectures, interactive multimedia on NASA content, interactions with fellow aerospace scholars, knowledge assessments including a final project, and guidance and support from trained professional educators. To complete the NCAS application: 1. Sign up or Log in to the NASA STEM Gateway. 2. Explore Opportunities for College STEM Experiences. 3. Apply for NCAS Mission 1: Discover. You will need to provide: - Contact information. - Community college transcripts (official or unofficial) must include the following: - - Your name. - - Your school’s name. - - 9 credits of college STEM courses, either completed or in-progress. - - Proof of current enrollment. - 300-word (max) explanation of why you want to participate in NCAS. For more information, visit: https://lnkd.in/eyjcmeSS

Explore STEM education resources from our federal partners! In addition to The National Institutes of Health, you can find innovative materials to engage K-12 students in health science from NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, the Smithsonian Institute, and much more. Find it on our NIH STEM teaching resources website through the link in the comments. #STEM #ScienceEd #FedSTEM

Are you aware of any engineering programs that require summer readings for incoming freshmen? If so, I have a recommendation for you. My memoir, "The Boy Who Reached for the Stars," could be an excellent addition to their reading list. The book tells the story of my journey as an immigrant to NASA and beyond as an engineer. It could inspire and motivate the next generation of engineers.

NASA is leading the charge in STEM education through innovative partnerships that inspire students and educators around the world. These collaborations are not just about space exploration; they’re about cultivating the next generation of scientists, engineers, and thinkers. Here’s how they’re making an impact: 🌍 Global Reach: By teaming up with international organizations, NASA expands its educational resources to students across the globe, making STEM accessible to diverse communities. 🚀 Engaging Curriculum: NASA’s partnerships provide unique, hands-on learning experiences, from interactive workshops to virtual missions that captivate students’ imaginations and encourage critical thinking. 👩🚀 Inspiring Future Leaders: Collaborations with universities and schools foster mentorship opportunities, connecting students with NASA experts and giving them insights into real-world applications of STEM fields. 📚 Resources for Educators: NASA offers a wealth of educational materials and training for teachers, empowering them to inspire their students with the wonders of space and science. 💡 Fostering Innovation: These partnerships encourage creativity and innovation, allowing students to explore problem-solving techniques that are essential for future careers in science and technology. By harnessing the power of collaboration, NASA is not only advancing space exploration but also igniting a passion for STEM learning that will resonate for generations to come. Check out this great piece from the NASA STEM Team for more! #STEMEducation #NASA #GlobalPartnerships #InspireTheFuture #SpaceExploration

Recently, I presented at the International Conference on Environmental Systems (ICES 2024) about Space Tech Camp, a project that Greg Walsh and I carried out at The University of Baltimore in 2022 with Baltimore City Public Schools students, with the help of Baltimore Museum of Industry and the support of a grant from NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration. If interested, please contact us for more information. Title: Engaging High School Students through Space Tech Camp: An Experience Report Abstract: During the summer of 2022 and with the support of NASA's OSTEM through a MUREP PSI grant, we organized a summer camp experience called Space Tech Camp, a one-week experience dedicated to STEM engagement. The initiative included 18 students in Grades 10 and 11 in the Baltimore City Public Schools System. The students spent a week learning about the Artemis program, living and working in Space, and got to experience an augmented reality application as a way to simulate what future generations of astronauts may experience. They also designed and ran simple experiments related to what they learned during the week utilizing the Scientific Method and Design Thinking. This paper describes the structure and pedagogical foundations of Space Tech Camp. We also report high-level feedback that we received from students and other personnel involved with the experience. Overall, the initiative was successful and helped students learn about STEM, Space exploration, and college readiness. Read the article here:

For our latest collaboration with NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), we're on a journey to revitalise their flagship Education site, an invaluable resource for tens of thousands of educators, students, and space enthusiasts to explore and learn about science and space.   We worked closely with JPL’s in-house team to run a discovery project. Here’s a snapshot of the outcomes so far: • By analysing the user experience on the current site, we identified gaps in awareness and discoverability of JPL's educational resources. • Through interviews and research, we gathered rich insights about what educators need and want, shaping our approach to meet these needs effectively. • We tested designs and assumptions with educators, helping inform the design direction - e.g. moving away from traditional filters like grade and subject, focusing instead on practical needs like the lesson duration and materials required. • We made use of NASA JPL’s Design System to spin up design prototypes quickly within a framework that meets JPL’s brand guidelines and standards. • The new technical architecture will align closely with JPL’s main Wagtail CMS-powered website, driving further efficiencies. • A roadmap has been supplied for the reimagined website, taking into account JPL’s in-house development expertise. Development and mission launch expected in 2024. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/ee48fUY6 #NASA #JPLEducation #STEM #DigitalTransformation #UserExperience #WagtailCMS

Check out this article on our Astronaut Scholars from one of our original partner universities, University of Central Florida!

In case you are interested 

[MaxIQ Space and Partners to Launch Student Payload on ASRI’s Phoenix Test Flight in December 2024] MaxIQ Space, a leader in space-focused STEM education, has partnered with Parklands College and the Sakhikamva Foundation to launch a 1U payload aboard the Aerospace Systems Research Institute’s (ASRI) Phoenix hybrid rocket. The test launch, scheduled for December 2024, is a significant milestone for space education and commercial ventures in Africa, marking a critical step in South Africa’s growing space industry. The primary objective of this project is to provide students from Parklands College, Christopher Robin Pre-Primary, and the Sakhikamva Foundation with hands-on experience in space science. The students will develop and test a scientific payload utilising MaxIQ Space’s advanced modular electronic components known as “X-chips.” These components include sensors for air temperature, humidity, pressure, volatile organic compounds, light intensity, accelerometer data, and GPS. The payload integration follows a “slice” concept that measures 96mm x 96mm, with the 1U CubeSat form factor able to accommodate up to nine slices. The Phoenix rocket, developed by ASRI at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), is part of South Africa’s journey towards developing its orbital launch capabilities. This test launch is a stepping stone for an even more ambitious mission planned for mid-2025, when students will launch a payload to the International Space Station (ISS). That mission, organised by MaxIQ Space in collaboration with Princeton University and NASA, will involve participants from 16 institutions globally, further highlighting these educational initiatives’ global reach and impact. Source: https://lnkd.in/eNySGddh #galaxyaerosgh #space #spaceexploration #SpaceNews

Via Anatomage. Future Workforce Development and the status of STEM Education. “The U.S. Bureau of Statistics projects that by 2032, the STEM workforce will be expanded with more than 4 million jobs. 3.5 million2 of those will need to be filled by 2025 and 1.4 million computer engineers, scientists and technicians’ jobs are at risk of remaining unfilled. These numbers highlight an urgent need to increase the STEM workforce.” https://lnkd.in/eTEUKJBs #stemeducation #workforcedevelopment #jobs #innovative #research #opportunity NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory NASA Glenn Research Center The City University of New York The Geological Society Geological Society of America #machinelearning #robotics #pythonprogramming #infrastructure