EVERYTHING
NASA has released a comprehensive list of activities designed to encourage public participation in STEM fields throughout the summer months. These programs cater to varied interests, whether individuals prefer building complex digital projects, contributing to real-world research, or gaining insight into professional aerospace careers.
According to Nasa, these initiatives provide accessible entry points for people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with cutting-edge space science. The opportunities span three main areas: competitive development, citizen science, and career exploration.
The Stardance Challenge: Coding Meets Space Exploration
For students aged 13 to 18, the online Stardance Challenge offers a platform to apply creativity and technical skills in partnership with Hack Club. Running from June 1 through September 30, this challenge allows participants to work directly with publicly available datasets derived from major NASA programs, including Artemis missions and data from the James Webb Space Telescope.
Participants are encouraged to create diverse outputs, which can include:
- Code and mobile applications
- Electronics and circuit board designs
- Physical models and simulations
Hack Club provides expert reviews and prizes for submissions, while NASA supplies mission materials and virtual sessions with subject matter experts who offer insights into space science and engineering careers.
Contributing to Science Through Citizen Projects
Citizen Science invites volunteers of all ages to participate in actual scientific research using only a phone or computer. This method allows the public to help solve cosmic mysteries while supporting ongoing NASA projects. Two notable examples include:
- Space Cloud Watch: Participants track noctilucent clouds—rare, night-shining atmospheric formations visible during summer twilight at high latitudes—by submitting photographic reports to aid scientists in tracking their changes.
- Cloudspotting on Mars: Volunteers review real NASA images of the Red Planet to identify cloud cover, helping researchers better understand Martian weather patterns and climate dynamics.
Exploring Diverse Aerospace Careers
NASA emphasizes that its workforce extends far beyond astronauts and chief scientists. Summer events are available for individuals interested in discovering various technical roles within the agency. These virtual sessions offer a behind-the-scenes look at how different skills contribute to national aerospace goals.
Specific career connection days include:
- June 2: NASA’s Career Technical Education Day at Goddard Space Flight Center, focusing on robotics, AI, and autonomous systems.
- June 11: Virtual Career Connection focused on Aviation Technology and Maintenance, detailing the pathways for aircraft mechanics supporting flight programs.
By offering these varied avenues—from developing complex software to analyzing Martian weather data or exploring technical careers—NASA ensures that summer provides a launchpad for future scientific talent.