As a NASA visitor center and recognized leader in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in the hampton roads region of virginia, the virginia air & space center (VASC) is…

As a NASA visitor center and recognized leader in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in the hampton roads region of virginia, the virginia air & space center (VASC) is uniquely positioned to further NASA S strategic goal #6 (share NASA with the public, educators, and students to provide opportunities to participate in our mission, foster innovation, and contribute to a strong national economy). The focus of the project is to educate and inspire teachers, students and life-long learners to embrace NASA STEM content. VASC will do this by delivering NASA STEM content in a series of harmonized components. First, stemtastic teacher institutes and education modules: (a) a series of four five-day professional development institutes for educators, featuring subject matter experts in climate change, atmospheric science, human exploration and robotics which will result in the (B) development of new education modules disseminated through in-school programs, on-site visits and summer camps serving our target audience of primarily underserved populations in grades 4-9. And second, stemtastic exhibits and demonstrations: (a) new interactive, state-of-the-art exhibits relating to the same NASA content will serve students and the general public (B) mobile demonstrations will provide traditionally underserved schools in the region with state-of-the-art technology through in-school programs, summer camps and programs at VASC. All project components will be developed using NASA content. A robust evaluation plan will be implemented by the project team and external evaluator in each project area to evaluate the success of the project. Adjustments will be made along the pipeline to increase effectiveness in reaching the target audience. Together, the proposed project components will promote long-term growth and sustainability on many levels. This project will increase awareness of NASA activities, while educating and inspiring students to train for career fields that are critical to future economic growth of the country in general, and NASA S future missions in particular. By focusing on topics including climate change and space exploration, the participants will gain an appreciation of the importance of promoting sustainable solutions to the challenges faced locally and across the globe. The programs, techniques and tools developed by the project will be shared with other institutions to promote the expansion of knowledge about best practices in providing STEM education in both the formal and informal settings. But perhaps the most important contributions to growth and sustainability will come from bringing together, at the VASC, people from different STEM communities: public school teachers, informal educators from VASC and virginia space grant consortium (VSGC), NASA educators and scientists, university faculty and aerospace contractors. By sharing the programming and exhibits developed through this program, stemtastic: NASA in our community, has the potential to reach countless educators, students and museum visitors throughout the U.S.