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About NASA STEM Engagement

NASA investments in STEM engagement are focused on building a future STEM workforce, through program elements designed to bolster capacity and to attract, engage and enable students to move toward STEM careers through NASA-unique opportunities.

What We Do

NASA STEM Engagement Highlights

Find out how NASA’s STEM opportunities and activities in fiscal year 2023 enabled students and educators to engage with the agency’s most ambitious missions and programs.

Read NASA STEM Highlights 2023 about NASA STEM Engagement Highlights
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NASA STEM Impacts and Benefits

A Culture of Evidence

NASA has long held a culture of using evidence to inform its endeavors. As an Agency at the cutting edge of exploration, scientific discovery, and technological development, NASA believes that frequently and thoroughly examining and evaluating its programs, missions, and projects leads to future success. NASA STEM Engagement is dedicated to robust evidence-building practices. The Office of STEM Engagement employs a performance assessment and evaluation strategy consisting of three main components: performance activities, evaluation activities, and a learning agenda. This strategy is a crucial tool for systematically gathering evidence to identify the priorities and support decision-making that will help cultivate the next generation of explorers.

Learn More About STEM Impacts
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NASA Strategy for STEM Engagement

Build the Next Generation of Explorers

The 2022 NASA Strategic Plan Objective 4.3, “Build the next generation of explorers,” establishes the agency’s STEM engagement strategy. Given the Nation’s need for a skilled STEM workforce and projected demand, NASA clearly has a vested interest in attracting, engaging, and preparing its future STEM professionals.

2022 NASA Strategic Plan about NASA Strategy for STEM Engagement
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NASA STEM Projects

NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM)’s four integrated projects create pathways for students to enter the aerospace industry.

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Next Gen STEM

Prepares K-12 students to enter the aerospace workforce through strategic partnerships and competitive awards that build their STEM skills and capabilities so they can do the jobs needed in the growing aerospace economy.

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National Space Grant College and Fellowship Project

A national network located in all 50 states that fosters science and engineering training, research, and industry partnerships with the goal of cultivating a skilled, innovative talent pool to advance space exploration and innovations.

Two Students with goggles and white jackets with a college logo are working on a project.

Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research

Promotes the development of a highly skilled workforce by funding hands-on research opportunities that not only prepare students for STEM jobs, but also lead to technological and innovative breakthroughs.

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Minority University Research and Education Project 

Funds cutting-edge research that enables students at Minority Serving Institutions to gain the expertise America needs to remain a leader in aerospace and technology.

NASA EXPRESS Newsletter Sign-up

Are you looking for the latest NASA resources for teachers, parents, caregivers, and students? Subscribe to the NASA EXPRESS newsletter to get the latest NASA STEM opportunities delivered to your inbox every Thursday.

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