Mini-Missions

NESSP’s mini-mission program offers curriculum and supplies to educator-led activities across the northwest region. Our mini-missions work well in a variety of situations from summer camps to Scouting activities to after-school programs.

What is a Mini-Mission?

NESSP Mini-missions are summer experiences led by local educators and community members. NESSP provides suggested activities, supplies, training/support, and instructor stipends. Instructors make the schedule, find a place to host, and recruit students. This year, NESSP offers two mini-mission options: Artemis ROADS mini-mission and ROADS on Icy Worlds mini-mission. Please check out the links below to learn more about each mini-mission and the resources available! We also recommend you review these slides or this recording from our 2024 mini-mission info session.

What Mini-Mission are available?

Applications for 2025 mini-missions will open in April of 2025.

Artemis ROADS Mini-Mission

The Artemis ROADS Mini-Mission is a weeklong series of hands-on activities inspired by NESSP’s 2022-2023, 2023-2024, and 2024-2025 national challenges.

Students will explore NASA’s Artemis missions, which aim to return humans to the Moon, by completing hands-on activities tasks designed to enhance their STEM skills and understanding of space exploration.

Grade Levels: 3-12

Suggested Length: 5 days

Resources: 

ROADS on Icy Worlds Mini-Mission

The ROADS on Icy Worlds Mini-Mission is a weeklong series of hands-on activities designed to simulate the planning of a rover mission to an icy world like Europa.

Students will engage in a mix of science and engineering challenges, working through hands-on activities that mirror real-world mission planning and exploration.

Grade Levels: 3-12

Suggested Length: 5 days

Resources: