NASA and the Education Department have joined forces to provide high-quality STEM education to students across the country. The 21st Century Community Learning Centers project will offer after-school programs, professional development, and funding to support STEM education.
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| NASA and the U.S. Department of Education have joined forces to launch a new STEM initiative, providing after-school programs, professional development, and funding to engage students nationwide. Image Courtesy: NASA |
Washington, USA – September 19, 2024:
NASA and the U.S. Department of Education are set to kick off a new interagency project aimed at sparking student interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The collaboration, known as 21st Century Community Learning Centers, will provide after-school STEM activities, professional development, and funding to programs nationwide.
The project's launch event will take place on Monday, September 23, at the Wheatley Education Campus in Washington. During the event, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the collaboration, hear remarks from NASA and Education Department officials, and participate in educational activities. Students will also have a chance to engage in an engineering design challenge.
NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland and the Education Department will work together to align resources and provide STEM activities, professional development, and funding for after-school programs. NASA will offer staff training, ongoing support, and opportunities for students to interact with NASA scientists and engineers.
The initiative is a continuation of a partnership between NASA and the Education Department, which was formalized in May 2023 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. This agreement strengthened the collaboration between the two agencies and expanded efforts to increase access to high-quality STEM and space education to students and schools across the nation.
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers project is a significant step forward in fostering STEM education and inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators. By providing students with hands-on experiences and opportunities to engage with experts, the project aims to ignite their passion for STEM and equip them with the skills they need to succeed in the 21st century.