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 three mini-mission options: Artemis ROADS mini-mission, Icy Worlds mini-mission, and James Webb 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 mini-mission info session.

What Mini-Mission are available?

We are no longer accepting new applications for 2024 summer mini-missions. Applications for 2025 mini-missions will open in the spring of 2025.

Artemis ROADS Mini-Mission

The Artemis ROADS mini-mission is a weeklong set of activities based on NESSP’s 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 national challenges. Students will complete hands-on activities to help them learn about NASA’s current Artemis missions, which will put humans back on the Moon!

Grade Levels: 3-12

Suggested Length: 5 days

Resources:

ROADS on Icy Worlds Mini-Mission

Students will spend the week completing a series of hands-on activities that mimic aspects of planning a rover mission to an icy world like Europa. The activities are a mix of science and engineering with lots of hands-on, student-led activities.

Grade Levels: 3-12

Suggested Length: 5 days

Resources:

James Webb Mini-Mission

Learn about the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) with hands-on NASA-themed activities.

Grade Levels: 6-10

Suggested Length: 3 days

Resources: