Education & Outreach
ISGC’s Education & Outreach Program
The ISGC’s Education and Outreach (E&O) program merges informal education and pre-college programs to serve education affiliates and their audiences. It includes awards for STEM projects from outreach affiliates that support NASA’s Exploration Systems Development (ESDMD), Space Operations (SOMD), and ISGC missions. Funded projects align with NASA/ISGC missions, aim to become self-sustaining, and link to the ISGC Strategic Plan.
ISGC Strategic Plan, Education and Outreach Objectives
To support pre college educators through professional development, pre-service and in-service training to improve education in Iowa that will encourage and inspire students to enter and remain in STEM disciplines; to enhance public awareness, scientific literacy, understanding of reasons for exploration, daily benefits to humanity, and appreciation for sciences and technology based on NASA’s on-going strategic plan objectives.
Conduct and support pre college professional development activities for STEM educators in hands-on curriculum which will help inspire, educate, and employ the next generation of explores; to promote a strong STEM educational base in Iowa and make curricular connections with NASA educational materials, opportunities, and expertise; by increasing public awareness of tangible daily benefits to humanity from NASA advancements.
Conduct and support various engaging and educational activities to promote students’ learning in STEM related areas.
Build strategic partnerships and linkages between STEM formal and informal education providers and, through hands-on, interactive educational and inspirational activities, engage students, educators, families, the general public an all agency stakeholders to increase Americans’ science and technology literacy, reasons for exploration, and engagement in aeronautics, space, and science.
Funding Opportunities
Education and Outreach for Affiliate Science Centers and Museums
- Deadline: September 23, 2023
- Released: August 19, 2024
2023-2024 Request for Proposals – RFP including appendices
Education and Outreach – Professional Development (PD)
- Deadline: April 18, 2025
- Released: November 15, 2024
2023-2024 Partner Schools Program (PD) – In-person NASA Center options returning.
Please stay tuned and check back for details on pending opportunities for PD.
Supported STEM Programming
The following programs are supported by the ISGC. Explore their websites below.
NASA Learning Opportunities
K-12 Student Opportunities
There are many opportunities for students K-12 students including exhibitis, in-home learning, and different NASA programs to get involved in.
NASA NextGen STEM
Find Next Gen STEM learning opportunities for students in multiple settings – in school, afterschool programs informal institutions like museums and science centers, and at home.
NASA Connects
Connecting Our NASA Network of Educators Collaborating Together in STEM) Next Gen STEM presents NASA’s new community of practice designed specially for educators to access the latest NASA STEM resources and collaborate with other educators. Elementary, middle, high school and informal educators can learn together about NASA missions and opportunities using this exciting online resource.
NASA STEM Resources
NASA invests in our nation’s future workforce by providing unique STEM opportunities
to students, educators, and institutions.