Expanding NASA Opportunities for Underserved Communities Summit — Seattle, 2018

Whether you are a classroom teacher or work with after-school and out-of-school programs, the Expanding NASA Opportunities for Underserved Communities Summit will help you create and implement new hands-on learning opportunities for students underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

The summit will be held in Seattle from July 10 – 14, 2018. Lodging and meals will be provided for all participants at no cost. Travel assistance is also available. Please visit our new page to learn more details.

NESSP STEM Educator Summits apply a co-creation model wherein participants first understand education gaps, then develop methods for creating culturally relevant STEM activities infused with NASA science, to engage and successfully prepare underrepresented students through academic excellence for high wage and high demand careers. Summits will also include training for educators to offer week-long, NESSP-funded summer camps in their community.

Preference will be given to educators who commit to facilitating a summer camp in their community, and educators that can demonstrate the ability to recruit a high number of underserved students (i.e. students underrepresented in STEM and students receiving free or reduced-fee lunches) to participate in a summer camp.

Camp facilitators will be provided with camp curriculum, required materials, and access to a network of subject matter experts. Lead camp facilitators will receive a $1,500 stipend to compensate them for their efforts. Camp para-educators will receive a $1,000 stipend. Camp facilitators will commit to securing the location for the summer camp, recruiting students, facilitating the summer camp, and returning all loaned materials and required reporting.

Topics will include training for facilitating student learning activities involving LEGO® Mindstorm Robotics and Rocketry, examples of making cultural connections to the material, and an overview of related NASA Missions. For a an overview of the summit and NGSS alignments, please see NGSS-STEM Educator Summits. A full agenda will be posted in the near future.