NASA Engages Connecting Communities With Space And STEM Experts

NASA Engages, NASA experts, STEM education, space exploration, Artemis Generation, public engagement, STEM outreach, NASA speaker bureau, NASA community events, science education

Discover how NASA’s new platform, NASA Engages, connects communities with experts in space exploration and STEM fields. Learn how to bring NASA to your neighborhood and inspire the next generation.

NASA’s New Engagement Platform: Bringing Experts to Classrooms and Communities

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As the new school year approaches, NASA is launching an innovative platform aimed at strengthening its connection with communities across the United States. This platform, called NASA Engages, is designed to bring the agency’s experts directly into classrooms, community centers, and other public spaces, enabling them to share their knowledge and experiences working on some of the most groundbreaking missions and programs in the world.

A Tradition of Connecting the Public with Science and Technology

NASA has a long history of engaging the public in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). From hosting public events to providing educational resources, the agency has consistently sought to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and astronauts. NASA Engages is the latest iteration of this tradition, expanding upon the agency’s existing speaker’s bureau program.

The primary goal of NASA Engages is to inspire the Artemis Generation – the cohort of young people who will grow up in an era where humans are once again setting foot on the Moon and potentially even Mars. The platform includes a comprehensive database of NASA employees who have various expertise, skillsets, and backgrounds. This diversity in experience allows for a wide range of topics to be covered, ensuring that every community can find a NASA expert that suits their needs.

Bringing NASA to Your Community

One of the key features of NASA Engages is its accessibility. The platform allows the public to request a NASA expert to participate in educational, professional, or civic events, either virtually or in person. This could be anything from a scientist giving a talk at a local library to an engineer judging a high school science fair.

Mike Kincaid, the associate administrator of NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement, emphasized the importance of this initiative, saying, “With NASA Engages, the agency is creating new avenues for communities to learn about STEM, while making genuine connections with the diverse, talented experts within our agency. Representation is key – our ability to meet people where they are is enhanced when our experts reflect the communities they are speaking to. Whether it’s a heliophysics panel in Denver or an elementary school in Florida, anyone can bring NASA to their neighborhood with Engages.”

This initiative is managed by NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement in coordination with the agency’s Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity and Office of Communications. The platform is open to all types of public speaking engagements, and the target audiences are as diverse as the agency itself. These include preschool to college students, libraries and museums, youth organizations, professional and technical organizations, community groups, and other non-profit organizations.

Beyond Speaking Engagements

NASA Engages is not limited to traditional speaking engagements. The platform is designed to accommodate a variety of requests, including science fair judges, emcees at award ceremonies, and more. This flexibility ensures that communities can benefit from NASA’s expertise in multiple ways.

To facilitate these engagements, requests should be submitted at least seven weeks in advance for U.S. events. This lead time allows for adequate coordination and ensures minimal disruption to the work schedules of NASA representatives. While the platform gives preference to virtual events – a nod to the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic – in-person events are also possible.

International communities are not left out, although the process for requesting a NASA expert is slightly different. International requests can be submitted via email and will soon be fully integrated into the NASA Engages platform.

The Power of Representation

One of the standout features of NASA Engages is its focus on representation. By ensuring that the experts participating in these engagements reflect the diverse communities they are addressing, NASA is making STEM fields more accessible and relatable to people from all walks of life. This is particularly important in inspiring young people from underrepresented groups to pursue careers in science and technology.

NASA has long recognized the importance of diversity in STEM. By bringing experts who look like the students they are speaking to, or who share similar life experiences, the agency hopes to break down barriers and encourage more young people to see themselves as future scientists, engineers, and astronauts.

Voluntary Participation

Participation in NASA Engages is entirely voluntary for NASA employees. While every effort will be made to accommodate requests, there is no guarantee of fulfillment. This voluntary nature ensures that the experts who do participate are genuinely passionate about sharing their knowledge and experiences with the public.

This passion is a key component of the platform’s success. When experts are enthusiastic about their work, that enthusiasm is contagious. Students who hear from someone deeply engaged in their field are more likely to develop a similar passion for science and technology.

Inspiring the Next Generation

NASA Engages is more than just a platform for connecting communities with experts; it is a tool for inspiring the next generation of innovators and explorers. By making STEM fields more accessible and relatable, NASA is helping to build a future where more young people see themselves as capable of contributing to the grand challenges of our time.

The platform is also a testament to NASA’s commitment to public engagement. In a world where misinformation is rampant, especially in scientific fields, NASA Engages provides an opportunity for communities to hear directly from the experts themselves. This direct communication helps to build trust and understanding, which is essential for the continued advancement of science and technology.

How to Get Involved

For those interested in bringing a NASA expert to their community, the process is straightforward. The NASA Engages platform is accessible online, and requests can be submitted through the website. For U.S. events, requests should be made at least seven weeks in advance to allow for proper coordination. International requests, while currently handled via email, will soon be fully integrated into the platform.

In addition to the practical details, it’s important for communities to think creatively about how they can use this resource. Whether it’s hosting a virtual panel discussion on climate change, inviting an astronaut to speak at a school assembly, or having a NASA engineer lead a workshop at a community center, the possibilities are nearly endless.

The Broader Impact

The introduction of NASA Engages comes at a crucial time. With challenges like climate change, space exploration, and technological innovation at the forefront of global concerns, it is more important than ever to engage the public in these issues. By bringing NASA’s experts into communities, the platform helps to demystify complex scientific concepts and makes them accessible to everyone.

Furthermore, by emphasizing diversity and representation, NASA Engages is helping to ensure that the benefits of STEM education are available to all. This is particularly important in addressing the underrepresentation of certain groups in STEM fields, which has been a longstanding issue.

Conclusion

NASA Engages is an exciting new platform that promises to make a significant impact on communities across the United States and beyond. By connecting people with NASA’s experts, the platform is not only providing valuable educational opportunities but also inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers.

As the new school year begins, educators, community leaders, and organizations have a unique opportunity to leverage this resource. Whether through virtual or in-person engagements, NASA Engages offers a chance to bring the wonders of space exploration, the challenges of climate science, and the innovations of technology right to your doorstep.

For more information and to submit a request, visit the NASA Engages page: NASA Engages.

In summary, NASA Engages is a vital tool in promoting STEM education and public engagement. By connecting communities with NASA experts, the platform is helping to inspire a new generation of thinkers and doers who will take on the challenges of tomorrow.

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