New NASA after school program engages students with STEM learning

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - A new program from NASA is launching to get more students excited about science and space education.

“Students across the country are going to be getting a whole lot more opportunity now to try science and space programs now with the start of this collaboration,” Cindy Marten, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education said.

“We are introducing students to learning about Stem and in a context that’s really exciting for them in providing hands on experiences for them to explore,” Kris Brown, Deputy Associate Administrator for STEM Engagement at NASA said.

At the Wheatley Education Campus in Washington, middle schoolers got a chance to learn about space and have a little bit of NASA fun.

The students are part of a lift off of a new after school STEM program that the space agency is launching nationwide with the Department of Education.

The goal is to get kids engaged and excited about science, technology, engineering and math.

“They’re building, using aerodynamics, using science and technology and engineering and mathematics through virtual experiences using the goggles,” Marten said. “But then they’re building airplanes, they’re looking at aerodynamics. And a partnership with NASA is incredible for kids to actually get to see what it’s like to work in the sciences field.”

The program will bring hands on learning and real-world problem solving activities to students with content from NASA.

It also gives students the chance to interact with the agency’s scientists and engineers.

The program aims to reach around a thousand students across 60 locations in 10 different states in underserved and underrepresented communities, all to inspire the next generation of explorers and scientists.

“We want to see that kids are seeing that they have pathways into high quality jobs and careers where they can make a positive contribution to our community and to society,” Marten said.

States will have to apply for the program which will be part of the federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers initiative.

The schools who win the program will be announced in November.

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