The office of stem engagement (ostem) seeks to: 1. Attract students to stem through unique learning opportunities that spark interest and provide connections to nasas mission and work 2. Engage…

NASA's Office of STEM Engagement awarded a $250K cooperative agreement to Orlando Science Center Inc. (doing business as New Orlando Science Center) on September 30, 2025, with a completion date of January 14, 2027. The award supports NASA's mission to attract students to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through unique learning opportunities that spark student interest and provide meaningful connections to NASA's work and strategic objectives. The contract carries no set-aside designation and will be performed in Orlando, Florida. Orlando Science Center, a tax-exempt nonprofit organization specializing in science literacy and STEM education, was selected based on its demonstrated expertise and established track record as a federal partner in advancing science education.

This cooperative agreement builds on Orlando Science Center's substantial portfolio of federal partnerships and STEM programming. The organization previously received a $795K NASA cooperative agreement in March 2022 for the National Engineering Design Challenge and maintains active funding from multiple federal agencies including the Office of Naval Research, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the National Endowment for the Arts. The center's programs focus on delivering authentic, hands-on learning experiences designed to engage students—particularly underserved populations—in STEM disciplines while fostering critical thinking skills. Through this new agreement, Orlando Science Center will leverage its existing community partnerships and educational infrastructure to expand NASA's reach in attracting the next generation of STEM practitioners.

The office of stem engagement (ostem) seeks to: 1. Attract students to stem through unique learning opportunities that spark interest and provide connections to nasas mission and work 2. Engage students in authentic learning experiences with nasas