PIM was one of the selected 21st Century Community Learning Center sites in North Carolina for the NASA/STEM Engineering Design Challenge! This partnership between 21st CCLC and NASA brings “engaging and authentic hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and citizen science experiences to middle school students (grades 5–8).” (from application)
“Students from 21st CCLC sites participating in the [Engineering Design Challenge] will develop solutions to challenges similar to real-world problems that NASA scientists and engineers face.” Students engaged in experiential and inquiry-based learning activities in science, practiced skills and conducted scientific investigations of their environment. Students also had multiple opportunities to interact with NASA scientists and engineers to discuss their project’s solution or protocols while also learning about educational pathways involving STEM and exciting STEM careers!
Speaking with NASA!
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Education, developed four unique science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) challenges and one Global Observations to Benefit the Society (GLOBE) Science Investigation. Projects that our students are worked on are:
• Design a Crew Exploration Vehicle — Students design and build a CEV model to safely transport two astronauts to the Moon, Mars and beyond.
• Packing for the Moon — Help design a plant growth system to be transported and used to grow food for astronauts on long-duration missions.
• Parachuting Onto Mars — Help design a device that slows the descent of a spacecraft or probe while protecting its cargo for a successful landing.
• Why Pressure Suits? — Help design a pressure suit that protects pilots and astronauts from the dangers of low- pressure environments
Each STEM challenge is based upon real mission data and experiences that occur during human and robotic exploration of the solar system and the GLOBE investigation focuses on science protocols. These content opportunities are designed for grades 5-8, and connect students in 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLCs) with NASA scientists and engineers, who discussed proposed challenge solutions and science protocols in real time with the students. Each content opportunity comes with an educator guide, introductory videos, and resources to help educators conduct the opportunity and engage students. Participating sites create and submit brief videos showcasing their responses to the challenge or investigation. U.S. Department of Education leaders and NASA scientists and engineers then select student videos to highlight in a culminating live Web event or to be showcased during state-based culminating experiences.
Students worked on these projects during the school year, leading up to their submission of their projects this February to the NASA scientists and engineers for consideration.
Skills cultivated through the study and practice of science, technology, engineering and math (the STEM fields) are vitally important to our nation’s economic future. Unfortunately, many of our nation’s students lack critical STEM skills, especially those in certain minority populations or from economically disadvantaged school systems. Nor is a lack of proficiency the only challenge – many American students also lack interest in pursuing STEM fields. Some of our country’s highest-performing students have been gravitating away from science and engineering toward other professions. The shortage of students with skills such as critical thinking and problem solving is a problem in communities, districts and, ultimately, job markets across the U.S. — but students at SYSTEM After School program are part of a national effort to help solve this problem. The goal of the Department’s partnership with NASA is to provide access to high quality, meaningful experiences in science, technology, engineering and math, improve students’ skills in these areas and demonstrate the relevance of STEM to daily life. It’s an important step toward helping the U.S. remain a global leader in science, engineering and innovation by preparing students with the skills they need to thrive in an increasingly complex world.
We are incredibly proud of our participants and the work they accomplished in this program! We also want to say thank you to NASA and 21st CCLC of North Carolina for helping make this possible.
Thank you!!
