NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Free Webinar -- Understanding the Red Planet: Mars Image Analysis(Grades 5-12)
The Aerospace Education Services Project is presenting a pair of free hourlong webcasts on May 20, 2013, at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. EDT. Join aerospace education specialist Tony Leavitt as he shares ways to use images taken by Arizona State University’s Thermal Emission Imaging System, or THEMIS, visible camera aboard NASA's Mars Odyssey spacecraft. The Odyssey spacecraft arrived at Mars on October 24, 2001, and its images show the shape of the Martian surface (geologic features).

ROSES-13 Amendment 9: Final Text for ROSES-13 Appendix A.35, The GLOBE Implementation Office(Higher and Informal Education)
The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment, or GLOBE, Program is an important element of NASA's commitment to promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, education among youth worldwide. NASA solicits proposals for an organization or a consortium of organizations to host the GLOBE Implementation Office and collaborate with NASA in the implementation of GLOBE. Notices of Intent are requested by May 20, 2013, and proposals are due July 19, 2013.

Free Webinar -- Modeling the Solar System: What Is a Planet?(Grades K-8)
The Aerospace Education Services Project is presenting a pair of free hourlong webcasts on May 21, 2013, at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. EDT. Aerospace education specialist Angelo Casaburri will discuss the challenges of teaching students about the scale of our solar system. Using a simple cash register tape activity, participants will learn how to model the vast distances between the sun and planets. Mathematical scale, astronomical units and differences between planets and a dwarf planets will also be discussed.

The Curiosity Rover: Robotic Geologist and Explorer Web Seminar(Grades K-12 and Informal)
NASA Explorer Schools and the National Science Teachers Association are hosting a 90-minute live professional development Web seminar for educators on May 21, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Jordan Evans from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory will provide an overview of the Curiosity mission and talk about some stunning geologic discoveries. Curiosity is packing 10 science instruments, including four spectrometers, a rock-zapping laser and the first drill used on Mars.

NASA Seeks Universities for Early-Stage Space Technology Proposals(Higher Education)
NASA is seeking innovative, early-stage space technology proposals from accredited U.S. universities that will enable NASA's future missions and ensure America's continued leadership in space. Proposals are sought for science instruments, cryogenic propellant storage for long-duration space exploration, optical coatings for astrophysical pursuits, oxygen recovery for life support systems, and to improve our understanding of and protection from near-Earth asteroids. Notices of intent are due by Proposals due May 21, 2013.

Engineering Design Challenge: Spacecraft Structures Web Seminar(Grades K-12 and Informal)
NASA Explorer Schools and the National Science Teachers Association are hosting a 90-minute live professional development Web seminar for educators on May 22, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Learn how to incorporate the excitement of rocketry into your classroom during this Web seminar and receive an overview of the student engineering design challenge, Spacecraft Structures, where students design and construct a strong, but lightweight, structure that can withstand the launch of a water bottle "rocket."

Free Webinar -- Looking at the Sun(Grades K-8)
The Aerospace Education Services Project is presenting a pair of free hourlong webcasts on May 28, 2013, at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. EDT. Aerospace education specialist Rick Varner will give participants a glimpse of NASA's solar missions, share sun-Earth classroom activities and introduce a Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, or SOHO, activity using current sun data to track sun spots.

Free Webinar -- Missions to Planet Earth: Remote Sensing(Grades K-8)
The Aerospace Education Services Project is presenting a pair of free hourlong webcasts on May 30, 2013, at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. EDT. The world around us is constantly changing. Sometimes these changes happen suddenly and are easily observed. In many cases, changes in the Earth are not easily seen, yet are readily apparent in comparisons made over time. Join aerospace education specialist Steve Culivan for this session designed to help teachers and students appreciate these changes and study the impacts of Earth's natural systems and how humans affect their environment.

2013 GLOBE Virtual Student Conference(All Grade Levels)
The Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment, or GLOBE, Virtual Student Conference is a place for GLOBE students to showcase their research projects for peer and scientific review. These projects will be available online for the public to view and to post comments and questions. Projects will be available for viewing through May 31, 2013.

Family Day -- Explore the Universe: Everyone Looks Up!(All Grade Levels)
Everyone looks up! People around the world have always looked to the sky, but they don’t always see the same things. Experience how different people study the sky and hear their stories at Explore the Universe Day taking place June 1, 2013, at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. The event is free and open to the public.

NASA's Center for Astronomy Education Tier I Teaching Excellence Workshop for Current and Future Astronomy and Space Science Instructors in Indianapolis(Higher Education)
The goal of this NASA's Center for Astronomy Education, or CAE, workshop is for participants to become familiar with research-validated active engagement teaching strategies and assessment materials, as well as how to implement them in their college courses, through role-playing, modeling, practice and more! The workshop is designed for college instructors and postdoctoral and graduate students currently teaching or preparing to teach introductory astronomy and space science. The session will be held June 1-2, 2013, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (All Grade Levels)
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring, or PAESMEM, recognizes excellence in mentoring individuals from groups that are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education and the workforce. Presidential awardees receive a $10,000 award and a commemorative presidential certificate. Awardees are invited to participate in an awards ceremony in Washington D.C. Nominations are due June 5, 2013.

NASA Seeks Academic Partners for SmallSat Technology Collaboration(Higher Education)
NASA is seeking small spacecraft technology project proposals from U.S. colleges and universities that would like to collaborate with agency researchers. Small spacecraft, or smallsats, represent a growing field of space research and operations in which universities often have led the way in technology development. NASA expects to select approximately 10 proposals. Awards for each project will include as much as $100,000 ($150,000 for teams of more than one school). Proposals are due June 5, 2013.

Super Science Saturday -- Energy(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on June 8, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. This month's event focuses on energy. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Free Lecture -- 50 Years of Solar System Exploration: New Worlds, New Discoveries(All Grade Levels)
Through the decades of planetary explorations, a wide variety of spacecraft (orbiters, landers, rovers and more) have revealed an amazing diversity of worlds, each with its own story to tell. On June 13, 2013, join James L. Green, director of planetary science at NASA Headquarters, as he guides attendees through the 50-year voyage of discovery. The lecture begins at 8 p.m. at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Come early to see a free film and to meet the lecturer. The lecture will be webcast live.

NASA's Center for Astronomy Education Contributes to the New Faculty Workshop for Physics and Astronomy(Higher Education)
This semiannual conference helps new faculty understand how students learn physics and astronomy, and suggests how this information can impact a new professor's teaching methods. The workshop is intended for faculty in the first few years of their initial tenure-track appointment at a four-year college or university. The conference will be held June 17-20, 2013, at the American Center for Physics in College Park, Md. To apply to attend, faculty must be nominated by their department chair.

Engineering Design: Forces and Motion -- The Great Boomerang Challenge Web Seminar(Grades 9-12 and Informal)
NASA Explorer Schools and the National Science Teachers Association are hosting a free 90-minute professional development Web seminar on June 20, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Learn how aerodynamic forces and motion are used in boomerang design. Participants will be introduced to the Boomerang Design Challenge and learn how to incorporate this activity into science classes. Two extensions featuring free computer simulations that teach students about airflow around airfoils will also be shared.

The Unknown Moon -- A Weeklong Institute for High School Educators(Grades 9-12)
NASA's Lunar Science Institute is hosting a weeklong institute for high school science educators on June 24-28, 2013, in Laurel, Md. Participants will receive hands-on standards-aligned classroom resources relating to Earth and the moon. Tours of scientific research facilities and interaction with lunar scientists will also take place during the institute. Registration is free, and applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Langley Aerospace Research Student Scholars -- Fall 2013 Session(Higher Education)
LARSS is offering a paid 15-week fall internship for rising full-time undergraduate juniors, seniors or graduate students at accredited U.S. colleges, universities and community colleges. Students of all majors are encouraged to apply. Participants gain hands-on research experience while working side by side with NASA scientists and engineers who serve as mentors at NASA's Langley Research Center. Applications are due June 26, 2013. Spring and summer sessions also are available.

2013 Lunar Workshops for Educators(Grades 5-12)
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission is sponsoring a pair of workshops for educators of students in grades 6-9. These workshops will focus on lunar science, exploration and how our understanding of the moon is evolving with new data from current and recent lunar missions. Workshops will take place: June 24-28 and July 8-12, 2013, at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. Workshops are limited to 25 participants. Apply early to secure a spot.

NASA ISS FIT iPad App Challenge(Grades 5-12 and Higher Education)
The NASA Tournament Lab has launched a new challenge in support of International Space Station operations. The ISS Food Intake Tracker, or FIT, iPad App Challenge asks participants to design, develop and produce an iPad application that will allow space station crewmembers to easily track what foods they eat. This challenge is divided into multiple stages, and each stage has its own start and end date. The challenge is currently scheduled to run through July 1, 2013.

Going to Mars With MAVEN -- Send Your Name to Mars(All Grade Levels)
The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission, also known as MAVEN, is set to launch to the Red Planet in November 2013. And your name could hitch a ride to Mars! Names will be placed on a DVD that will be carried aboard the MAVEN spacecraft. Participants who submit their names to the Going to Mars campaign will be able to print a certificate of appreciation to document their involvement with the MAVEN mission. Names must be submitted by July 1, 2013.

Going to Mars With MAVEN -- Message to Mars Contest(All Grade Levels)
The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission, also known as MAVEN, is set to launch to the Red Planet in November 2013. And your personal message could hitch a ride to Mars! Messages must be in the form of a haiku poem, and the public will vote to select the top three entries. Winning haikus will be carried aboard the MAVEN spacecraft and will be prominently displayed on the MAVEN website. Entries must be in English and are due July 1, 2013.

NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellowships(Higher Education)
The NASA Postdoctoral Program supports NASA’s goal to expand scientific understanding of the Earth and the universe in which we live. NPP Fellows complete one- to three-year fellowship appointments that offer scientists and engineers unique opportunities to conduct research in fields of science relevant to NASA. Applicants must have completed a Ph.D. or equivalent degree before beginning the fellowship, but may apply while completing the degree requirements. Applications are due July 1, 2013.

Super Science Saturday -- Weather(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on July 13, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. This month's event focuses on weather. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Airborne Research Experience for Educators Academy(Grades 4-12)
The NASA Airborne Research Experience for Educators Academy is recruiting 12 science, technology, engineering and mathematics teachers to participate in a 10-day research experience from July 15-25, 2013, at the Aerospace Education Research Operations, or AERO, Institute in Palmdale, Calif. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and can be formal or informal educators of grades 4-12. Participants will learn how NASA conducts airborne science and flight research. Applications will be accepted until spots are filled.

MAVEN Workshop -- Red Planet: Read, Write, Explore!(Grades K-8)
Set to launch in November 2013, the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN, or MAVEN, is the next mission to visit Mars. Join the MAVEN education team for a one-day workshop about the mission and the accompanying program for grades 3-5, Red Planet: Read, Write, Explore! This program features six standards-based lessons that combine science, literacy and art. The workshop will take place on Aug. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles, Calif. Applications are due July 24, 2013, but space is limited.

NASA Night Rover Energy Challenge (Higher Education)
Registration is open for teams seeking to compete in the $1.5 million energy storage competition known as the Night Rover Challenge, sponsored by NASA and the Cleantech Open of Palo Alto, Calif. To win, a team must demonstrate a stored-energy system that can power a simulated solar-powered exploration vehicle that can operate through multiple cycles of daylight and extended periods of darkness. Early registration closes on July 26, 2013. Regular registration closes on Oct. 25, 2013.

Super Science Saturday -- Helicopters(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on Aug. 10, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. This month's event focuses on helicopters. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Family Day -- A Century of Women in Aerospace(All Grade Levels)
For over 100 years, women have contributed to technological advances in aviation and space. Hear about the historic women who have inspired today’s role models at A Century of Women in Aerospace Day taking place Sept. 14, 2013, at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. The event is free and open to the public.

Super Science Saturday -- Living and Working in Space(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on Sept. 14, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. This month's event focuses on living and working in space. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Family Day -- Hispanic Heritage Month: Innovators in Air and Space(All Grade Levels)
Celebrate Latin America’s historical contributions to aviation and space exploration at Hispanic Heritage Month: Innovators in Air and Space Day event taking place Sept. 21 2013, at the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. A second event will take place Oct. 5, 2013, at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. Meet current Hispanic scientists and engineers through the Smithsonian Latinos in STEM initiative. Listen to bilingual stories and participate in hands-on activities. The events are free and open to the public.

Super Science Saturday -- Balloons and Blimps(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on Oct. 12, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. This month's event focuses on balloons and blimps. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellowships(Higher Education)
The NASA Postdoctoral Program supports NASA’s goal to expand scientific understanding of the Earth and the universe in which we live. NPP Fellows complete one- to three-year fellowship appointments that offer scientists and engineers unique opportunities to conduct research in fields of science relevant to NASA. Applicants must have completed a Ph.D. or equivalent degree before beginning the fellowship, but may apply while completing the degree requirements. Applications are due Nov. 1, 2013.

Super Science Saturday -- The Moon and Beyond(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on Nov. 9, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST. This month's event focuses on the moon and beyond. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Super Science Saturday -- The Wright Brothers(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on Dec. 14, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST. This month's event focuses on the Wright Brothers. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

NASA Exploration Design Challenge(Grades K-12)
NASA's Exploration Design Challenge invites students from around the world to think and act like scientists to come up with ways to protect astronauts from space radiation. Students in grades K-8 will analyze different materials that simulate space radiation shielding. Students in grades 9-12 will design radiation shielding to protect a sensor on the Orion crew module from space radiation. The names of all students participating in the challenge will fly aboard the Orion spacecraft as honorary virtual crewmembers during its test flight in 2014. The deadline to register students for the virtual crew is March 14, 2014.

Teacher Learning Journeys Project(All Grade Levels)
NASA's Aerospace Education Services Project has teamed up with the National Science Teachers Association to launch the new Teacher Learning Journeys project. This new approach to individualized professional development allows participants to select, prioritize and complete training opportunities that allow them to make use of specific resources, teaching strategies and content. This free project helps participants meet personal learning goals, and increase student learning and motivation.

Youth For Understanding USA(Grades 9-12)
Youth For Understanding, or YFU, USA, a nonprofit leader in youth exchange programs, is reaching out to educators, parents and students who are excited about learning and intercultural exchange. YFU awards $1.6 million in annual scholarships to U.S. high school students to study abroad. YFU also seeks host families and mentors nationwide for international exchange students arriving in August to attend high schools nationwide. For more on YFU opportunities, visit http://www.yfu-usa.org or call 1-800-TEENAGE. The U.S. Department of State sponsors multiple programs for educational, cultural and professional exchanges across the world and also for American citizens to go abroad. To learn more, visit http://exchanges.state.gov/us. Join in the fun and make a difference!

Citizen Science: Asteroid Mappers(All Grade Levels)
NASA's Dawn Mission invites you to investigate and analyze high-resolution Dawn images of the giant asteroid Vesta, including craters and other features, from your own computer. The Dawn Mission's spacecraft has gathered intriguing data, including tens of thousands of images, more than the Dawn team has time to analyze in detail. That's where you come in. Register today to help the Dawn Science Team make sense of new elements on the surface of Vesta and learn more about this mysterious world.

Curiosity Explorer Badge on Foursquare(All Grade Levels)
NASA and the mobile application Foursquare have teamed up to help the public unlock its scientific curiosity with a new rover-themed Curiosity Explorer badge. Users of the Foursquare social media platform can earn the badge by following NASA and checking in at a NASA visitor center or venue categorized as a science museum or planetarium. Foursquare users also can keep up with Curiosity as the rover checks in at key locations and posts photos and tips, all while exploring the Red Planet.

New NASA's Digital Learning Network Module: Digital Badges(Grades 9-12 and Higher Education)
NASA's Digital Learning Network, or DLN, is excited to offer a unique opportunity to learn about a new innovative teaching tool called a digital badge. Using a brand-new type of 3D content, a new interactive game-based activity allows visitors to join in the excitement of the Mars Curiosity Rover. During your event, the DLN will give an overview of the Mars Curiosity Activity and provide additional information regarding digital badges for lifelong learning.

Odyssey of the Mind -- It's How You Look at It(All Grade Levels)
NASA is sponsoring the Odyssey of the Mind Long-Term Problem -- It's How You Look at It. To solve this problem, teams create and present an original humorous performance that includes two characters that act naturally -- to them -- but odd to those around them. The performance must include a meter that indicates the degree of odd/normal behavior and a creative scene change. Visit the site for more information and dates for regional competitions.

Discovery Dome Loaner Program(Informal Education)
Thanks to NASA support from the Competitive Program for Science Museums and Planetariums, museums, science centers, Challenger centers and other 501(c)(3) community organizations are eligible for a free monthlong Discovery Dome loan. The dome includes the show "We Choose Space," but will also include other NASA-sponsored planetarium shows and software. Preference will be given to rural sites, sites more than 100 miles from a digital planetarium and sites serving minority groups.

Expanded Offer for Space Shuttle Tiles and Food(All Grade Levels)
NASA is expanding its offer of space shuttle heat shield tiles and food packaged for spaceflight to museums and schools. Museums across the United States are now eligible to receive these pieces of space history, in addition to the schools and universities that have received them since the end of the Space Shuttle Program. Requests for these artifacts are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The artifacts are free, but museums and schools are responsible for paying shipping and handling fees.

Green Strides Webinar Series(Grades K-12)
The U.S. Department of Education presents the Green Strides Webinar Series. These webinars feature experts from various federal programs. The webinars are free, and events are scheduled through the end of the 2012-2013 school year.

Mars Student Imaging Project(Grades 5-12)
The Mars Student Imaging Project is seeking educator applicants to participate in a virtual experiential opportunity for the 2011-2012 school year and the summer of 2012. Students will have the opportunity to ask a research question about Mars, use real Mars data to answer the question, interact with Mars scientists and target a brand new image of Mars using a special camera on the Mars Odyssey Spacecraft. Applications are being accepted now.

NASA's Digital Learning Network Special Event: Chat With a Mission Control Flight Officer(Grades 5-12)
NASA's Digital Learning Network is excited to offer a unique opportunity to ask questions of an actual mission control flight officer at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Students will witness the inner workings of the International Space Station's mission control. Each event will begin with a 30-minute introduction by a DLN education specialist, followed by a question and answer session with mission control representatives. This special event will take place each Thursday. Visit the site to register your classroom for an upcoming event.

New NASA's Digital Learning Network Module: STEM on Station(Grades 5-8)
NASA's Digital Learning Network, or DLN, is excited to offer a unique opportunity to see firsthand how operating the International Space Station is tied to science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, classroom lessons. This module puts students in the driver’s seat as they complete four activities related to concepts NASA engineers use. During your event, the DLN host will provide additional information regarding the marvel of the space station! A Teacher's Resource Guide with activities is provided.

Centennial Challenge: Nano-Satellite Launch Challenge (Higher Education)
NASA and the Space Florida Small Satellite Research Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., are seeking teams to compete in a satellite launch technology demonstration competition with a $2-million prize purse. Teams will compete to launch satellites with a mass of at least 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) into Earth orbit twice within the span of one week. Draft Rules for public comment will be posted in the near future at http://www.spaceflorida.gov/nano-sat-launch-challenge.

Host a "From Earth to the Solar System" Exhibit (Informal Educators)
Celebrate NASA's Year of the Solar System by hosting a "From Earth to the Solar System" exhibit. This collection of high-resolution images showcases the excitement of planetary exploration. The images are freely available to organizations worldwide to host their own exhibitions. The artistic and informative images weave together themes in astrobiology, planetary science and astronomy. The collection represents the current state of exploration as seen through the eyes of the scientific community.

NASA Explorer Schools Registration Open (Grades K-12)
Register today to take part in the new NASA Explorer Schools project. NES offers multiple pathways for participation and recognition for middle school (grades 4-8) and high school (grades 9-12) classrooms. The project requires no application process. Project materials are freely available to all types of schools. Participants may be individual educators, teams of educators or whole schools. Participants have access to NASA opportunities and are recognized for innovative use of NASA educational resources and demonstration of best practices in STEM education.

Wallops Rocket Academy for Teachers and Students (Grades 9-12)
The Wallops Rocket Academy for Teachers and Students, or WRATS, provides high school teachers with a technical flight experience to reinforce concepts in the classroom. Teachers and students participate virtually in hands-on experiences based on NASA's sounding rocket engineering and science data collection. WRATS includes interactive Web-based data to teach lessons in physics and engineering. Teachers also receive resources to integrate the data into classroom lessons.

Wallops Balloon Experience for Education (Grades 9-12)
The Wallops Rocket Academy for Teachers and Students, or WRATS, provides high school teachers with a technical flight experience to reinforce concepts in the classroom. Teachers and students participate virtually in hands-on experiences based on NASA's sounding rocket engineering and science data collection. WRATS includes interactive Web-based data to teach lessons in physics and engineering. Teachers also receive resources to integrate the data into classroom lessons.

Rock Around the World (Grades K-4)
Mars scientists are asking students from around the world to help them understand the red planet. Send in a rock collected by you or your classroom from your region of the world, and we will use a special tool like the one on the rover to tell you what it's made of. Then everyone can compare their rocks to the ones found on Mars.

Free Teaching Tools Aligned to State Science Education Standards (Grades K-12)
A series of free curriculum supplements from the National Institutes of Health aimed at promoting science education achievement is now aligned to individual state education standards in science, math, health and English language arts for grades K-12. The ongoing series promotes inquiry-based, interdisciplinary learning. The series currently includes 16 supplements on such topics as genetics, infectious diseases and cell biology. Visit the site to request these free education supplements.

Teacher and Student Opportunity: Ames Education Associates Project (Higher Education)
The Ames Education Associates Program is a unique experiential learning program that provides students or faculty members at U.S. colleges or universities, postdoctoral fellows and active K-12 teachers the opportunity to "experience NASA." Educational Associates will participate in and contribute to a project at a NASA facility for a minimum of two months, and a maximum of 12. The program operates year round and positions may start and end at any time.

Research Scholarship: NASA Astrobiology Institute (Higher Education)
The NASA Astrobiology Institute Research Scholarship Project offers research-related travel support that enables graduate or postdoctoral students to circulate among two or more NAI teams or participating institutions of the NAI. Requests are accepted on a continuous basis.

Teacher Opportunity: Fit Explorer Challenge (Grades K-12, Informal)
Inspire the nation's future explorers by joining NASA and the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports in a variety of exciting physical and hands-on educational activities to encourage students to train like astronauts. Students in grades 3-5 will track their progress, learn the science behind nutritional and physical fitness, and relate physical Earth-based needs to the requirements of exploring in space.

Free Webinar -- Modeling the Solar System: What Is a Planet?(Grades K-8)
The Aerospace Education Services Project is presenting a pair of free hourlong webcasts on May 21, 2013, at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. EDT. Aerospace education specialist Angelo Casaburri will discuss the challenges of teaching students about the scale of our solar system. Using a simple cash register tape activity, participants will learn how to model the vast distances between the sun and planets. Mathematical scale, astronomical units and differences between planets and a dwarf planets will also be discussed.

The Curiosity Rover: Robotic Geologist and Explorer Web Seminar(Grades K-12 and Informal)
NASA Explorer Schools and the National Science Teachers Association are hosting a 90-minute live professional development Web seminar for educators on May 21, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Jordan Evans from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory will provide an overview of the Curiosity mission and talk about some stunning geologic discoveries. Curiosity is packing 10 science instruments, including four spectrometers, a rock-zapping laser and the first drill used on Mars.

Engineering Design Challenge: Spacecraft Structures Web Seminar(Grades K-12 and Informal)
NASA Explorer Schools and the National Science Teachers Association are hosting a 90-minute live professional development Web seminar for educators on May 22, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Learn how to incorporate the excitement of rocketry into your classroom during this Web seminar and receive an overview of the student engineering design challenge, Spacecraft Structures, where students design and construct a strong, but lightweight, structure that can withstand the launch of a water bottle "rocket."

Free Webinar -- Looking at the Sun(Grades K-8)
The Aerospace Education Services Project is presenting a pair of free hourlong webcasts on May 28, 2013, at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. EDT. Aerospace education specialist Rick Varner will give participants a glimpse of NASA's solar missions, share sun-Earth classroom activities and introduce a Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, or SOHO, activity using current sun data to track sun spots.

Free Webinar -- Missions to Planet Earth: Remote Sensing(Grades K-8)
The Aerospace Education Services Project is presenting a pair of free hourlong webcasts on May 30, 2013, at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. EDT. The world around us is constantly changing. Sometimes these changes happen suddenly and are easily observed. In many cases, changes in the Earth are not easily seen, yet are readily apparent in comparisons made over time. Join aerospace education specialist Steve Culivan for this session designed to help teachers and students appreciate these changes and study the impacts of Earth's natural systems and how humans affect their environment.

2013 GLOBE Virtual Student Conference(All Grade Levels)
The Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment, or GLOBE, Virtual Student Conference is a place for GLOBE students to showcase their research projects for peer and scientific review. These projects will be available online for the public to view and to post comments and questions. Projects will be available for viewing through May 31, 2013.

Family Day -- Explore the Universe: Everyone Looks Up!(All Grade Levels)
Everyone looks up! People around the world have always looked to the sky, but they don’t always see the same things. Experience how different people study the sky and hear their stories at Explore the Universe Day taking place June 1, 2013, at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. The event is free and open to the public.

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (All Grade Levels)
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring, or PAESMEM, recognizes excellence in mentoring individuals from groups that are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education and the workforce. Presidential awardees receive a $10,000 award and a commemorative presidential certificate. Awardees are invited to participate in an awards ceremony in Washington D.C. Nominations are due June 5, 2013.

Super Science Saturday -- Energy(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on June 8, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. This month's event focuses on energy. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Going to Mars With MAVEN -- Send Your Name to Mars(All Grade Levels)
The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission, also known as MAVEN, is set to launch to the Red Planet in November 2013. And your name could hitch a ride to Mars! Names will be placed on a DVD that will be carried aboard the MAVEN spacecraft. Participants who submit their names to the Going to Mars campaign will be able to print a certificate of appreciation to document their involvement with the MAVEN mission. Names must be submitted by July 1, 2013.

Going to Mars With MAVEN -- Message to Mars Contest(All Grade Levels)
The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission, also known as MAVEN, is set to launch to the Red Planet in November 2013. And your personal message could hitch a ride to Mars! Messages must be in the form of a haiku poem, and the public will vote to select the top three entries. Winning haikus will be carried aboard the MAVEN spacecraft and will be prominently displayed on the MAVEN website. Entries must be in English and are due July 1, 2013.

Free Lecture -- 50 Years of Solar System Exploration: New Worlds, New Discoveries(All Grade Levels)
Through the decades of planetary explorations, a wide variety of spacecraft (orbiters, landers, rovers and more) have revealed an amazing diversity of worlds, each with its own story to tell. On June 13, 2013, join James L. Green, director of planetary science at NASA Headquarters, as he guides attendees through the 50-year voyage of discovery. The lecture begins at 8 p.m. at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Come early to see a free film and to meet the lecturer. The lecture will be webcast live.

Super Science Saturday -- Weather(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on July 13, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. This month's event focuses on weather. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Airborne Research Experience for Educators Academy(Grades 4-12)
The NASA Airborne Research Experience for Educators Academy is recruiting 12 science, technology, engineering and mathematics teachers to participate in a 10-day research experience from July 15-25, 2013, at the Aerospace Education Research Operations, or AERO, Institute in Palmdale, Calif. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and can be formal or informal educators of grades 4-12. Participants will learn how NASA conducts airborne science and flight research. Applications will be accepted until spots are filled.

MAVEN Workshop -- Red Planet: Read, Write, Explore!(Grades K-8)
Set to launch in November 2013, the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN, or MAVEN, is the next mission to visit Mars. Join the MAVEN education team for a one-day workshop about the mission and the accompanying program for grades 3-5, Red Planet: Read, Write, Explore! This program features six standards-based lessons that combine science, literacy and art. The workshop will take place on Aug. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles, Calif. Applications are due July 24, 2013, but space is limited.

Super Science Saturday -- Helicopters(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on Aug. 10, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. This month's event focuses on helicopters. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Family Day -- A Century of Women in Aerospace(All Grade Levels)
For over 100 years, women have contributed to technological advances in aviation and space. Hear about the historic women who have inspired today’s role models at A Century of Women in Aerospace Day taking place Sept. 14, 2013, at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. The event is free and open to the public.

Super Science Saturday -- Living and Working in Space(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on Sept. 14, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. This month's event focuses on living and working in space. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Family Day -- Hispanic Heritage Month: Innovators in Air and Space(All Grade Levels)
Celebrate Latin America’s historical contributions to aviation and space exploration at Hispanic Heritage Month: Innovators in Air and Space Day event taking place Sept. 21 2013, at the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. A second event will take place Oct. 5, 2013, at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. Meet current Hispanic scientists and engineers through the Smithsonian Latinos in STEM initiative. Listen to bilingual stories and participate in hands-on activities. The events are free and open to the public.

Super Science Saturday -- Balloons and Blimps(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on Oct. 12, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. This month's event focuses on balloons and blimps. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Super Science Saturday -- The Moon and Beyond(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on Nov. 9, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST. This month's event focuses on the moon and beyond. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Super Science Saturday -- The Wright Brothers(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on Dec. 14, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST. This month's event focuses on the Wright Brothers. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

NASA Exploration Design Challenge(Grades K-12)
NASA's Exploration Design Challenge invites students from around the world to think and act like scientists to come up with ways to protect astronauts from space radiation. Students in grades K-8 will analyze different materials that simulate space radiation shielding. Students in grades 9-12 will design radiation shielding to protect a sensor on the Orion crew module from space radiation. The names of all students participating in the challenge will fly aboard the Orion spacecraft as honorary virtual crewmembers during its test flight in 2014. The deadline to register students for the virtual crew is March 14, 2014.

Teacher Learning Journeys Project(All Grade Levels)
NASA's Aerospace Education Services Project has teamed up with the National Science Teachers Association to launch the new Teacher Learning Journeys project. This new approach to individualized professional development allows participants to select, prioritize and complete training opportunities that allow them to make use of specific resources, teaching strategies and content. This free project helps participants meet personal learning goals, and increase student learning and motivation.

Citizen Science: Asteroid Mappers(All Grade Levels)
NASA's Dawn Mission invites you to investigate and analyze high-resolution Dawn images of the giant asteroid Vesta, including craters and other features, from your own computer. The Dawn Mission's spacecraft has gathered intriguing data, including tens of thousands of images, more than the Dawn team has time to analyze in detail. That's where you come in. Register today to help the Dawn Science Team make sense of new elements on the surface of Vesta and learn more about this mysterious world.

Curiosity Explorer Badge on Foursquare(All Grade Levels)
NASA and the mobile application Foursquare have teamed up to help the public unlock its scientific curiosity with a new rover-themed Curiosity Explorer badge. Users of the Foursquare social media platform can earn the badge by following NASA and checking in at a NASA visitor center or venue categorized as a science museum or planetarium. Foursquare users also can keep up with Curiosity as the rover checks in at key locations and posts photos and tips, all while exploring the Red Planet.

Odyssey of the Mind -- It's How You Look at It(All Grade Levels)
NASA is sponsoring the Odyssey of the Mind Long-Term Problem -- It's How You Look at It. To solve this problem, teams create and present an original humorous performance that includes two characters that act naturally -- to them -- but odd to those around them. The performance must include a meter that indicates the degree of odd/normal behavior and a creative scene change. Visit the site for more information and dates for regional competitions.

Expanded Offer for Space Shuttle Tiles and Food(All Grade Levels)
NASA is expanding its offer of space shuttle heat shield tiles and food packaged for spaceflight to museums and schools. Museums across the United States are now eligible to receive these pieces of space history, in addition to the schools and universities that have received them since the end of the Space Shuttle Program. Requests for these artifacts are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The artifacts are free, but museums and schools are responsible for paying shipping and handling fees.

Green Strides Webinar Series(Grades K-12)
The U.S. Department of Education presents the Green Strides Webinar Series. These webinars feature experts from various federal programs. The webinars are free, and events are scheduled through the end of the 2012-2013 school year.

NASA Explorer Schools Registration Open (Grades K-12)
Register today to take part in the new NASA Explorer Schools project. NES offers multiple pathways for participation and recognition for middle school (grades 4-8) and high school (grades 9-12) classrooms. The project requires no application process. Project materials are freely available to all types of schools. Participants may be individual educators, teams of educators or whole schools. Participants have access to NASA opportunities and are recognized for innovative use of NASA educational resources and demonstration of best practices in STEM education.

Free Teaching Tools Aligned to State Science Education Standards (Grades K-12)
A series of free curriculum supplements from the National Institutes of Health aimed at promoting science education achievement is now aligned to individual state education standards in science, math, health and English language arts for grades K-12. The ongoing series promotes inquiry-based, interdisciplinary learning. The series currently includes 16 supplements on such topics as genetics, infectious diseases and cell biology. Visit the site to request these free education supplements.

Teacher Opportunity: Fit Explorer Challenge (Grades K-12, Informal Education)
Inspire the nation's future explorers by joining NASA and the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports in a variety of exciting physical and hands-on educational activities to encourage students to train like astronauts. Students in grades 3-5 will track their progress, learn the science behind nutritional and physical fitness, and relate physical Earth-based needs to the requirements of exploring in space.

Rock Around the World (Grades K-4)
Mars scientists are asking students from around the world to help them understand the red planet. Send in a rock collected by you or your classroom from your region of the world, and we will use a special tool like the one on the rover to tell you what it's made of. Then everyone can compare their rocks to the ones found on Mars.

Free Webinar -- Understanding the Red Planet: Mars Image Analysis(Grades 5-12)
The Aerospace Education Services Project is presenting a pair of free hourlong webcasts on May 20, 2013, at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. EDT. Join aerospace education specialist Tony Leavitt as he shares ways to use images taken by Arizona State University’s Thermal Emission Imaging System, or THEMIS, visible camera aboard NASA's Mars Odyssey spacecraft. The Odyssey spacecraft arrived at Mars on October 24, 2001, and its images show the shape of the Martian surface (geologic features).

Free Webinar -- Modeling the Solar System: What Is a Planet?(Grades K-8)
The Aerospace Education Services Project is presenting a pair of free hourlong webcasts on May 21, 2013, at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. EDT. Aerospace education specialist Angelo Casaburri will discuss the challenges of teaching students about the scale of our solar system. Using a simple cash register tape activity, participants will learn how to model the vast distances between the sun and planets. Mathematical scale, astronomical units and differences between planets and a dwarf planets will also be discussed.

The Curiosity Rover: Robotic Geologist and Explorer Web Seminar(Grades K-12 and Informal)
NASA Explorer Schools and the National Science Teachers Association are hosting a 90-minute live professional development Web seminar for educators on May 21, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Jordan Evans from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory will provide an overview of the Curiosity mission and talk about some stunning geologic discoveries. Curiosity is packing 10 science instruments, including four spectrometers, a rock-zapping laser and the first drill used on Mars.

Engineering Design Challenge: Spacecraft Structures Web Seminar(Grades K-12 and Informal)
NASA Explorer Schools and the National Science Teachers Association are hosting a 90-minute live professional development Web seminar for educators on May 22, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Learn how to incorporate the excitement of rocketry into your classroom during this Web seminar and receive an overview of the student engineering design challenge, Spacecraft Structures, where students design and construct a strong, but lightweight, structure that can withstand the launch of a water bottle "rocket."

Free Webinar -- Looking at the Sun(Grades K-8)
The Aerospace Education Services Project is presenting a pair of free hourlong webcasts on May 28, 2013, at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. EDT. Aerospace education specialist Rick Varner will give participants a glimpse of NASA's solar missions, share sun-Earth classroom activities and introduce a Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, or SOHO, activity using current sun data to track sun spots.

Free Webinar -- Missions to Planet Earth: Remote Sensing(Grades K-8)
The Aerospace Education Services Project is presenting a pair of free hourlong webcasts on May 30, 2013, at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. EDT. The world around us is constantly changing. Sometimes these changes happen suddenly and are easily observed. In many cases, changes in the Earth are not easily seen, yet are readily apparent in comparisons made over time. Join aerospace education specialist Steve Culivan for this session designed to help teachers and students appreciate these changes and study the impacts of Earth's natural systems and how humans affect their environment.

2013 GLOBE Virtual Student Conference(All Grade Levels)
The Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment, or GLOBE, Virtual Student Conference is a place for GLOBE students to showcase their research projects for peer and scientific review. These projects will be available online for the public to view and to post comments and questions. Projects will be available for viewing through May 31, 2013.

Family Day -- Explore the Universe: Everyone Looks Up!(All Grade Levels)
Everyone looks up! People around the world have always looked to the sky, but they don’t always see the same things. Experience how different people study the sky and hear their stories at Explore the Universe Day taking place June 1, 2013, at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. The event is free and open to the public.

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (All Grade Levels)
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring, or PAESMEM, recognizes excellence in mentoring individuals from groups that are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education and the workforce. Presidential awardees receive a $10,000 award and a commemorative presidential certificate. Awardees are invited to participate in an awards ceremony in Washington D.C. Nominations are due June 5, 2013.

Super Science Saturday -- Energy(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on June 8, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. This month's event focuses on energy. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Free Lecture -- 50 Years of Solar System Exploration: New Worlds, New Discoveries(All Grade Levels)
Through the decades of planetary explorations, a wide variety of spacecraft (orbiters, landers, rovers and more) have revealed an amazing diversity of worlds, each with its own story to tell. On June 13, 2013, join James L. Green, director of planetary science at NASA Headquarters, as he guides attendees through the 50-year voyage of discovery. The lecture begins at 8 p.m. at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Come early to see a free film and to meet the lecturer. The lecture will be webcast live.

2013 Lunar Workshops for Educators(Grades 5-12)
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission is sponsoring a pair of workshops for educators of students in grades 6-9. These workshops will focus on lunar science, exploration and how our understanding of the moon is evolving with new data from current and recent lunar missions. Workshops will take place: June 24-28 and July 8-12, 2013, at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. Workshops are limited to 25 participants. Apply early to secure a spot.

NASA ISS FIT iPad App Challenge(Grades 5-12 and Higher Education)
The NASA Tournament Lab has launched a new challenge in support of International Space Station operations. The ISS Food Intake Tracker, or FIT, iPad App Challenge asks participants to design, develop and produce an iPad application that will allow space station crewmembers to easily track what foods they eat. This challenge is divided into multiple stages, and each stage has its own start and end date. The challenge is currently scheduled to run through July 1, 2013.

Going to Mars With MAVEN -- Send Your Name to Mars(All Grade Levels)
The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission, also known as MAVEN, is set to launch to the Red Planet in November 2013. And your name could hitch a ride to Mars! Names will be placed on a DVD that will be carried aboard the MAVEN spacecraft. Participants who submit their names to the Going to Mars campaign will be able to print a certificate of appreciation to document their involvement with the MAVEN mission. Names must be submitted by July 1, 2013.

Going to Mars With MAVEN -- Message to Mars Contest(All Grade Levels)
The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission, also known as MAVEN, is set to launch to the Red Planet in November 2013. And your personal message could hitch a ride to Mars! Messages must be in the form of a haiku poem, and the public will vote to select the top three entries. Winning haikus will be carried aboard the MAVEN spacecraft and will be prominently displayed on the MAVEN website. Entries must be in English and are due July 1, 2013.

Super Science Saturday -- Weather(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on July 13, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. This month's event focuses on weather. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Airborne Research Experience for Educators Academy(Grades 4-12)
The NASA Airborne Research Experience for Educators Academy is recruiting 12 science, technology, engineering and mathematics teachers to participate in a 10-day research experience from July 15-25, 2013, at the Aerospace Education Research Operations, or AERO, Institute in Palmdale, Calif. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and can be formal or informal educators of grades 4-12. Participants will learn how NASA conducts airborne science and flight research. Applications will be accepted until spots are filled.

MAVEN Workshop -- Red Planet: Read, Write, Explore!(Grades K-8)
Set to launch in November 2013, the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN, or MAVEN, is the next mission to visit Mars. Join the MAVEN education team for a one-day workshop about the mission and the accompanying program for grades 3-5, Red Planet: Read, Write, Explore! This program features six standards-based lessons that combine science, literacy and art. The workshop will take place on Aug. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles, Calif. Applications are due July 24, 2013, but space is limited.

Super Science Saturday -- Helicopters(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on Aug. 10, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. This month's event focuses on helicopters. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Family Day -- A Century of Women in Aerospace(All Grade Levels)
For over 100 years, women have contributed to technological advances in aviation and space. Hear about the historic women who have inspired today’s role models at A Century of Women in Aerospace Day taking place Sept. 14, 2013, at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. The event is free and open to the public.

Super Science Saturday -- Living and Working in Space(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on Sept. 14, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. This month's event focuses on living and working in space. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Family Day -- Hispanic Heritage Month: Innovators in Air and Space(All Grade Levels)
Celebrate Latin America’s historical contributions to aviation and space exploration at Hispanic Heritage Month: Innovators in Air and Space Day event taking place Sept. 21 2013, at the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. A second event will take place Oct. 5, 2013, at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. Meet current Hispanic scientists and engineers through the Smithsonian Latinos in STEM initiative. Listen to bilingual stories and participate in hands-on activities. The events are free and open to the public.

Super Science Saturday -- Balloons and Blimps(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on Oct. 12, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. This month's event focuses on balloons and blimps. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Super Science Saturday -- The Moon and Beyond(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on Nov. 9, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST. This month's event focuses on the moon and beyond. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Super Science Saturday -- The Wright Brothers(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on Dec. 14, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST. This month's event focuses on the Wright Brothers. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

NASA Exploration Design Challenge(Grades K-12)
NASA's Exploration Design Challenge invites students from around the world to think and act like scientists to come up with ways to protect astronauts from space radiation. Students in grades K-8 will analyze different materials that simulate space radiation shielding. Students in grades 9-12 will design radiation shielding to protect a sensor on the Orion crew module from space radiation. The names of all students participating in the challenge will fly aboard the Orion spacecraft as honorary virtual crewmembers during its test flight in 2014. The deadline to register students for the virtual crew is March 14, 2014.

Teacher Learning Journeys Project(All Grade Levels)
NASA's Aerospace Education Services Project has teamed up with the National Science Teachers Association to launch the new Teacher Learning Journeys project. This new approach to individualized professional development allows participants to select, prioritize and complete training opportunities that allow them to make use of specific resources, teaching strategies and content. This free project helps participants meet personal learning goals, and increase student learning and motivation.

Citizen Science: Asteroid Mappers(All Grade Levels)
NASA's Dawn Mission invites you to investigate and analyze high-resolution Dawn images of the giant asteroid Vesta, including craters and other features, from your own computer. The Dawn Mission's spacecraft has gathered intriguing data, including tens of thousands of images, more than the Dawn team has time to analyze in detail. That's where you come in. Register today to help the Dawn Science Team make sense of new elements on the surface of Vesta and learn more about this mysterious world.

Curiosity Explorer Badge on Foursquare(All Grade Levels)
NASA and the mobile application Foursquare have teamed up to help the public unlock its scientific curiosity with a new rover-themed Curiosity Explorer badge. Users of the Foursquare social media platform can earn the badge by following NASA and checking in at a NASA visitor center or venue categorized as a science museum or planetarium. Foursquare users also can keep up with Curiosity as the rover checks in at key locations and posts photos and tips, all while exploring the Red Planet.

Odyssey of the Mind -- It's How You Look at It(All Grade Levels)
NASA is sponsoring the Odyssey of the Mind Long-Term Problem -- It's How You Look at It. To solve this problem, teams create and present an original humorous performance that includes two characters that act naturally -- to them -- but odd to those around them. The performance must include a meter that indicates the degree of odd/normal behavior and a creative scene change. Visit the site for more information and dates for regional competitions.

Expanded Offer for Space Shuttle Tiles and Food(All Grade Levels)
NASA is expanding its offer of space shuttle heat shield tiles and food packaged for spaceflight to museums and schools. Museums across the United States are now eligible to receive these pieces of space history, in addition to the schools and universities that have received them since the end of the Space Shuttle Program. Requests for these artifacts are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The artifacts are free, but museums and schools are responsible for paying shipping and handling fees.

Green Strides Webinar Series(Grades K-12)
The U.S. Department of Education presents the Green Strides Webinar Series. These webinars feature experts from various federal programs. The webinars are free, and events are scheduled through the end of the 2012-2013 school year.

Mars Student Imaging Project(Grades 5-12)
The Mars Student Imaging Project is seeking educator applicants to participate in a virtual experiential opportunity for the 2011-2012 school year and the summer of 2012. Students will have the opportunity to ask a research question about Mars, use real Mars data to answer the question, interact with Mars scientists and target a brand new image of Mars using a special camera on the Mars Odyssey Spacecraft. Applications are being accepted now.

NASA's Digital Learning Network Special Event: Chat With a Mission Control Flight Officer(Grades 5-12)
NASA's Digital Learning Network is excited to offer a unique opportunity to ask questions of an actual mission control flight officer at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Students will witness the inner workings of the International Space Station’s mission control. Each event will begin with a 30-minute introduction by a DLN education specialist, followed by a question and answer session with mission control representatives. This special event will take place each Thursday. Visit the site to register your classroom for an upcoming event.

New NASA's Digital Learning Network Module: STEM on Station(Grades 5-8)
NASA's Digital Learning Network, or DLN, is excited to offer a unique opportunity to see firsthand how operating the International Space Station is tied to science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, classroom lessons. This module puts students in the driver’s seat as they complete four activities related to concepts NASA engineers use. During your event, the DLN host will provide additional information regarding the marvel of the space station! A Teacher's Resource Guide with activities is provided.

NASA Explorer Schools Registration Open (Grades K-12)
Register today to take part in the new NASA Explorer Schools project. NES offers multiple pathways for participation and recognition for middle school (grades 4-8) and high school (grades 9-12) classrooms. The project requires no application process. Project materials are freely available to all types of schools. Participants may be individual educators, teams of educators or whole schools. Participants have access to NASA opportunities and are recognized for innovative use of NASA educational resources and demonstration of best practices in STEM education.

Free Teaching Tools Aligned to State Science Education Standards (Grades K-12)
A series of free curriculum supplements from the National Institutes of Health aimed at promoting science education achievement is now aligned to individual state education standards in science, math, health and English language arts for grades K-12. The ongoing series promotes inquiry-based, interdisciplinary learning. The series currently includes 16 supplements on such topics as genetics, infectious diseases and cell biology. Visit the site to request these free education supplements.

Teacher Opportunity: Fit Explorer Challenge (Grades K-12, Informal Education)
Inspire the nation's future explorers by joining NASA and the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports in a variety of exciting physical and hands-on educational activities to encourage students to train like astronauts. Students in grades 3-5 will track their progress, learn the science behind nutritional and physical fitness, and relate physical Earth-based needs to the requirements of exploring in space.

Free Webinar -- Understanding the Red Planet: Mars Image Analysis(Grades 5-12)
The Aerospace Education Services Project is presenting a pair of free hourlong webcasts on May 20, 2013, at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. EDT. Join aerospace eucation specialist Tony Leavitt as he shares ways to use images taken by Arizona State University’s Thermal Emission Imaging System, or THEMIS, visible camera aboard NASA's Mars Odyssey spacecraft. The Odyssey spacecraft arrived at Mars on October 24, 2001, and its images show the shape of the Martian surface (geologic features).

The Curiosity Rover: Robotic Geologist and Explorer Web Seminar(Grades K-12 and Informal)
NASA Explorer Schools and the National Science Teachers Association are hosting a 90-minute live professional development Web seminar for educators on May 21, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Jordan Evans from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory will provide an overview of the Curiosity mission and talk about some stunning geologic discoveries. Curiosity is packing 10 science instruments, including four spectrometers, a rock-zapping laser and the first drill used on Mars.

Engineering Design Challenge: Spacecraft Structures Web Seminar(Grades K-12 and Informal)
NASA Explorer Schools and the National Science Teachers Association are hosting a 90-minute live professional development Web seminar for educators on May 22, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Learn how to incorporate the excitement of rocketry into your classroom during this Web seminar and receive an overview of the student engineering design challenge, Spacecraft Structures, where students design and construct a strong, but lightweight, structure that can withstand the launch of a water bottle "rocket."

2013 GLOBE Virtual Student Conference(All Grade Levels)
The Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment, or GLOBE, Virtual Student Conference is a place for GLOBE students to showcase their research projects for peer and scientific review. These projects will be available online for the public to view and to post comments and questions. Projects will be available for viewing through May 31, 2013.

Family Day -- Explore the Universe: Everyone Looks Up!(All Grade Levels)
Everyone looks up! People around the world have always looked to the sky, but they don’t always see the same things. Experience how different people study the sky and hear their stories at Explore the Universe Day taking place June 1, 2013, at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. The event is free and open to the public.

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (All Grade Levels)
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring, or PAESMEM, recognizes excellence in mentoring individuals from groups that are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education and the workforce. Presidential awardees receive a $10,000 award and a commemorative presidential certificate. Awardees are invited to participate in an awards ceremony in Washington D.C. Nominations are due June 5, 2013.

Super Science Saturday -- Energy(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on June 8, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. This month's event focuses on energy. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Free Lecture -- 50 Years of Solar System Exploration: New Worlds, New Discoveries(All Grade Levels)
Through the decades of planetary explorations, a wide variety of spacecraft (orbiters, landers, rovers and more) have revealed an amazing diversity of worlds, each with its own story to tell. On June 13, 2013, join James L. Green, director of planetary science at NASA Headquarters, as he guides attendees through the 50-year voyage of discovery. The lecture begins at 8 p.m. at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Come early to see a free film and to meet the lecturer. The lecture will be webcast live.

Engineering Design: Forces and Motion -- The Great Boomerang Challenge Web Seminar(Grades 9-12 and Informal)
NASA Explorer Schools and the National Science Teachers Association are hosting a free 90-minute professional development Web seminar on June 20, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Learn how aerodynamic forces and motion are used in boomerang design. Participants will be introduced to the Boomerang Design Challenge and learn how to incorporate this activity into science classes. Two extensions featuring free computer simulations that teach students about airflow around airfoils will also be shared.

The Unknown Moon -- A Weeklong Institute for High School Educators(Grades 9-12)
NASA's Lunar Science Institute is hosting a weeklong institute for high school science educators on June 24-28, 2013, in Laurel, Md. Participants will receive hands-on standards-aligned classroom resources relating to Earth and the moon. Tours of scientific research facilities and interaction with lunar scientists will also take place during the institute. Registration is free, and applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis.

2013 Lunar Workshops for Educators(Grades 5-12)
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission is sponsoring a pair of workshops for educators of students in grades 6-9. These workshops will focus on lunar science, exploration and how our understanding of the moon is evolving with new data from current and recent lunar missions. Workshops will take place: June 24-28 and July 8-12, 2013, at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. Workshops are limited to 25 participants. Apply early to secure a spot.

NASA ISS FIT iPad App Challenge(Grades 5-12 and Higher Education)
The NASA Tournament Lab has launched a new challenge in support of International Space Station operations. The ISS Food Intake Tracker, or FIT, iPad App Challenge asks participants to design, develop and produce an iPad application that will allow space station crewmembers to easily track what foods they eat. This challenge is divided into multiple stages, and each stage has its own start and end date. The challenge is currently scheduled to run through July 1, 2013.

Going to Mars With MAVEN -- Send Your Name to Mars(All Grade Levels)
The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission, also known as MAVEN, is set to launch to the Red Planet in November 2013. And your name could hitch a ride to Mars! Names will be placed on a DVD that will be carried aboard the MAVEN spacecraft. Participants who submit their names to the Going to Mars campaign will be able to print a certificate of appreciation to document their involvement with the MAVEN mission. Names must be submitted by July 1, 2013.

Going to Mars With MAVEN -- Message to Mars Contest(All Grade Levels)
The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission, also known as MAVEN, is set to launch to the Red Planet in November 2013. And your personal message could hitch a ride to Mars! Messages must be in the form of a haiku poem, and the public will vote to select the top three entries. Winning haikus will be carried aboard the MAVEN spacecraft and will be prominently displayed on the MAVEN website. Entries must be in English and are due July 1, 2013.

Super Science Saturday -- Weather(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on July 13, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. This month's event focuses on weather. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Airborne Research Experience for Educators Academy(Grades 4-12)
The NASA Airborne Research Experience for Educators Academy is recruiting 12 science, technology, engineering and mathematics teachers to participate in a 10-day research experience from July 15-25, 2013, at the Aerospace Education Research Operations, or AERO, Institute in Palmdale, Calif. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and can be formal or informal educators of grades 4-12. Participants will learn how NASA conducts airborne science and flight research. Applications will be accepted until spots are filled.

Super Science Saturday -- Helicopters(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on Aug. 10, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. This month's event focuses on helicopters. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Family Day -- A Century of Women in Aerospace(All Grade Levels)
For over 100 years, women have contributed to technological advances in aviation and space. Hear about the historic women who have inspired today’s role models at A Century of Women in Aerospace Day taking place Sept. 14, 2013, at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. The event is free and open to the public.

Super Science Saturday -- Living and Working in Space(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on Sept. 14, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. This month's event focuses on living and working in space. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Family Day -- Hispanic Heritage Month: Innovators in Air and Space(All Grade Levels)
Celebrate Latin America’s historical contributions to aviation and space exploration at Hispanic Heritage Month: Innovators in Air and Space Day event taking place Sept. 21 2013, at the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. A second event will take place Oct. 5, 2013, at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. Meet current Hispanic scientists and engineers through the Smithsonian Latinos in STEM initiative. Listen to bilingual stories and participate in hands-on activities. The events are free and open to the public.

Super Science Saturday -- Balloons and Blimps(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on Oct. 12, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. This month's event focuses on balloons and blimps. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Super Science Saturday -- The Moon and Beyond(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on Nov. 9, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST. This month's event focuses on the moon and beyond. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Super Science Saturday -- The Wright Brothers(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on Dec. 14, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST. This month's event focuses on the Wright Brothers. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

NASA Exploration Design Challenge(Grades K-12)
NASA's Exploration Design Challenge invites students from around the world to think and act like scientists to come up with ways to protect astronauts from space radiation. Students in grades K-8 will analyze different materials that simulate space radiation shielding. Students in grades 9-12 will design radiation shielding to protect a sensor on the Orion crew module from space radiation. The names of all students participating in the challenge will fly aboard the Orion spacecraft as honorary virtual crewmembers during its test flight in 2014. The deadline to register students for the virtual crew is March 14, 2014.

Teacher Learning Journeys Project(All Grade Levels)
NASA's Aerospace Education Services Project has teamed up with the National Science Teachers Association to launch the new Teacher Learning Journeys project. This new approach to individualized professional development allows participants to select, prioritize and complete training opportunities that allow them to make use of specific resources, teaching strategies and content. This free project helps participants meet personal learning goals, and increase student learning and motivation.

Youth For Understanding USA(Grades 9-12)
Youth For Understanding, or YFU, USA, a nonprofit leader in youth exchange programs, is reaching out to educators, parents and students who are excited about learning and intercultural exchange. YFU awards $1.6 million in annual scholarships to U.S. high school students to study abroad. YFU also seeks host families and mentors nationwide for international exchange students arriving in August to attend high schools nationwide. For more on YFU opportunities, visit http://www.yfu-usa.org or call 1-800-TEENAGE. The U.S. Department of State sponsors multiple programs for educational, cultural and professional exchanges across the world and also for American citizens to go abroad. To learn more, visit http://exchanges.state.gov/us. Join in the fun and make a difference!

Citizen Science: Asteroid Mappers(All Grade Levels)
NASA's Dawn Mission invites you to investigate and analyze high-resolution Dawn images of the giant asteroid Vesta, including craters and other features, from your own computer. The Dawn Mission's spacecraft has gathered intriguing data, including tens of thousands of images, more than the Dawn team has time to analyze in detail. That's where you come in. Register today to help the Dawn Science Team make sense of new elements on the surface of Vesta and learn more about this mysterious world.

Curiosity Explorer Badge on Foursquare(All Grade Levels)
NASA and the mobile application Foursquare have teamed up to help the public unlock its scientific curiosity with a new rover-themed Curiosity Explorer badge. Users of the Foursquare social media platform can earn the badge by following NASA and checking in at a NASA visitor center or venue categorized as a science museum or planetarium. Foursquare users also can keep up with Curiosity as the rover checks in at key locations and posts photos and tips, all while exploring the Red Planet.

New NASA's Digital Learning Network Module: Digital Badges(Grades 9-12 and Higher Education)
NASA's Digital Learning Network, or DLN, is excited to offer a unique opportunity to learn about a new innovative teaching tool called a digital badge. Using a brand-new type of 3D content, a new interactive game-based activity allows visitors to join in the excitement of the Mars Curiosity Rover. During your event, the DLN will give an overview of the Mars Curiosity Activity and provide additional information regarding digital badges for lifelong learning.

Odyssey of the Mind -- It's How You Look at It(All Grade Levels)
NASA is sponsoring the Odyssey of the Mind Long-Term Problem -- It's How You Look at It. To solve this problem, teams create and present an original humorous performance that includes two characters that act naturally -- to them -- but odd to those around them. The performance must include a meter that indicates the degree of odd/normal behavior and a creative scene change. Visit the site for more information and dates for regional competitions.

Expanded Offer for Space Shuttle Tiles and Food(All Grade Levels)
NASA is expanding its offer of space shuttle heat shield tiles and food packaged for spaceflight to museums and schools. Museums across the United States are now eligible to receive these pieces of space history, in addition to the schools and universities that have received them since the end of the Space Shuttle Program. Requests for these artifacts are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The artifacts are free, but museums and schools are responsible for paying shipping and handling fees.

Green Strides Webinar Series(Grades K-12)
The U.S. Department of Education presents the Green Strides Webinar Series. These webinars feature experts from various federal programs. The webinars are free, and events are scheduled through the end of the 2012-2013 school year.

Mars Student Imaging Project(Grades 5-12)
The Mars Student Imaging Project is seeking educator applicants to participate in a virtual experiential opportunity for the 2011-2012 school year and the summer of 2012. Students will have the opportunity to ask a research question about Mars, use real Mars data to answer the question, interact with Mars scientists and target a brand new image of Mars using a special camera on the Mars Odyssey Spacecraft. Applications are being accepted now.

NASA's Digital Learning Network Special Event: Chat With a Mission Control Flight Officer(Grades 5-12)
NASA's Digital Learning Network is excited to offer a unique opportunity to ask questions of an actual mission control flight officer at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Students will witness the inner workings of the International Space Station’s mission control. Each event will begin with a 30-minute introduction by a DLN education specialist, followed by a question and answer session with mission control representatives. This special event will take place each Thursday. Visit the site to register your classroom for an upcoming event.

NASA Explorer Schools Registration Open (Grades K-12)
Register today to take part in the new NASA Explorer Schools project. NES offers multiple pathways for participation and recognition for middle school (grades 4-8) and high school (grades 9-12) classrooms. The project requires no application process. Project materials are freely available to all types of schools. Participants may be individual educators, teams of educators or whole schools. Participants have access to NASA opportunities and are recognized for innovative use of NASA educational resources and demonstration of best practices in STEM education.

Wallops Balloon Experience for Education (Grades 9-12)
The Wallops Rocket Academy for Teachers and Students, or WRATS, provides high school teachers with a technical flight experience to reinforce concepts in the classroom. Teachers and students participate virtually in hands-on experiences based on NASA's sounding rocket engineering and science data collection. WRATS includes interactive Web-based data to teach lessons in physics and engineering. Teachers also receive resources to integrate the data into classroom lessons.

Free Teaching Tools Aligned to State Science Education Standards (Grades K-12)
A series of free curriculum supplements from the National Institutes of Health aimed at promoting science education achievement is now aligned to individual state education standards in science, math, health and English language arts for grades K-12. The ongoing series promotes inquiry-based, interdisciplinary learning. The series currently includes 16 supplements on such topics as genetics, infectious diseases and cell biology. Visit the site to request these free education supplements.

ROSES-13 Amendment 9: Final Text for ROSES-13 Appendix A.35, The GLOBE Implementation Office(Higher and Informal Education)
The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment, or GLOBE, Program is an important element of NASA's commitment to promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, education among youth worldwide. NASA solicits proposals for an organization or a consortium of organizations to host the GLOBE Implementation Office and collaborate with NASA in the implementation of GLOBE. Notices of Intent are requested by May 20, 2013, and proposals are due July 19, 2013.

NASA Seeks Universities for Early-Stage Space Technology Proposals(Higher Education)
NASA is seeking innovative, early-stage space technology proposals from accredited U.S. universities that will enable NASA's future missions and ensure America's continued leadership in space. Proposals are sought for science instruments, cryogenic propellant storage for long-duration space exploration, optical coatings for astrophysical pursuits, oxygen recovery for life support systems, and to improve our understanding of and protection from near-Earth asteroids. Notices of intent are due by Proposals due May 21, 2013.

2013 GLOBE Virtual Student Conference(All Grade Levels)
The Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment, or GLOBE, Virtual Student Conference is a place for GLOBE students to showcase their research projects for peer and scientific review. These projects will be available online for the public to view and to post comments and questions. Projects will be available for viewing through May 31, 2013.

Family Day -- Explore the Universe: Everyone Looks Up!(All Grade Levels)
Everyone looks up! People around the world have always looked to the sky, but they don’t always see the same things. Experience how different people study the sky and hear their stories at Explore the Universe Day taking place June 1, 2013, at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. The event is free and open to the public.

NASA's Center for Astronomy Education Tier I Teaching Excellence Workshop for Current and Future Astronomy and Space Science Instructors in Indianapolis(Higher Education)
The goal of this NASA's Center for Astronomy Education, or CAE, workshop is for participants to become familiar with research-validated active engagement teaching strategies and assessment materials, as well as how to implement them in their college courses, through role-playing, modeling, practice and more! The workshop is designed for college instructors and postdoctoral and graduate students currently teaching or preparing to teach introductory astronomy and space science. The session will be held June 1-2, 2013, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (All Grade Levels)
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring, or PAESMEM, recognizes excellence in mentoring individuals from groups that are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education and the workforce. Presidential awardees receive a $10,000 award and a commemorative presidential certificate. Awardees are invited to participate in an awards ceremony in Washington D.C. Nominations are due June 5, 2013.

NASA Seeks Academic Partners for SmallSat Technology Collaboration(Higher Education)
NASA is seeking small spacecraft technology project proposals from U.S. colleges and universities that would like to collaborate with agency researchers. Small spacecraft, or smallsats, represent a growing field of space research and operations in which universities often have led the way in technology development. NASA expects to select approximately 10 proposals. Awards for each project will include as much as $100,000 ($150,000 for teams of more than one school). Proposals are due June 5, 2013.

Super Science Saturday -- Energy(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on June 8, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. This month's event focuses on energy. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Free Lecture -- 50 Years of Solar System Exploration: New Worlds, New Discoveries(All Grade Levels)
Through the decades of planetary explorations, a wide variety of spacecraft (orbiters, landers, rovers and more) have revealed an amazing diversity of worlds, each with its own story to tell. On June 13, 2013, join James L. Green, director of planetary science at NASA Headquarters, as he guides attendees through the 50-year voyage of discovery. The lecture begins at 8 p.m. at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Come early to see a free film and to meet the lecturer. The lecture will be webcast live.

NASA's Center for Astronomy Education Contributes to the New Faculty Workshop for Physics and Astronomy(Higher Education)
This semiannual conference helps new faculty understand how students learn physics and astronomy, and suggests how this information can impact a new professor's teaching methods. The workshop is intended for faculty in the first few years of their initial tenure-track appointment at a four-year college or university. The conference will be held June 17-20, 2013, at the American Center for Physics in College Park, Md. To apply to attend, faculty must be nominated by their department chair.

Langley Aerospace Research Student Scholars -- Fall 2013 Session(Higher Education)
LARSS is offering a paid 15-week fall internship for rising full-time undergraduate juniors, seniors or graduate students at accredited U.S. colleges, universities and community colleges. Students of all majors are encouraged to apply. Participants gain hands-on research experience while working side by side with NASA scientists and engineers who serve as mentors at NASA's Langley Research Center. Applications are due June 26, 2013. Spring and summer sessions also are available.

NASA ISS FIT iPad App Challenge(Grades 5-12 and Higher Education)
The NASA Tournament Lab has launched a new challenge in support of International Space Station operations. The ISS Food Intake Tracker, or FIT, iPad App Challenge asks participants to design, develop and produce an iPad application that will allow space station crewmembers to easily track what foods they eat. This challenge is divided into multiple stages, and each stage has its own start and end date. The challenge is currently scheduled to run through July 1, 2013.

Going to Mars With MAVEN -- Send Your Name to Mars(All Grade Levels)
The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission, also known as MAVEN, is set to launch to the Red Planet in November 2013. And your name could hitch a ride to Mars! Names will be placed on a DVD that will be carried aboard the MAVEN spacecraft. Participants who submit their names to the Going to Mars campaign will be able to print a certificate of appreciation to document their involvement with the MAVEN mission. Names must be submitted by July 1, 2013.

Going to Mars With MAVEN -- Message to Mars Contest(All Grade Levels)
The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission, also known as MAVEN, is set to launch to the Red Planet in November 2013. And your personal message could hitch a ride to Mars! Messages must be in the form of a haiku poem, and the public will vote to select the top three entries. Winning haikus will be carried aboard the MAVEN spacecraft and will be prominently displayed on the MAVEN website. Entries must be in English and are due July 1, 2013.

NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellowships(Higher Education)
The NASA Postdoctoral Program supports NASA’s goal to expand scientific understanding of the Earth and the universe in which we live. NPP Fellows complete one- to three-year fellowship appointments that offer scientists and engineers unique opportunities to conduct research in fields of science relevant to NASA. Applicants must have completed a Ph.D. or equivalent degree before beginning the fellowship, but may apply while completing the degree requirements. Applications are due July 1, 2013.

Super Science Saturday -- Weather(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on July 13, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. This month's event focuses on weather. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

NASA Night Rover Energy Challenge (Higher Education)
Registration is open for teams seeking to compete in the $1.5 million energy storage competition known as the Night Rover Challenge, sponsored by NASA and the Cleantech Open of Palo Alto, Calif. To win, a team must demonstrate a stored-energy system that can power a simulated solar-powered exploration vehicle that can operate through multiple cycles of daylight and extended periods of darkness. Early registration closes on July 26, 2013. Regular registration closes on Oct. 25, 2013.

Super Science Saturday -- Helicopters(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on Aug. 10, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. This month's event focuses on helicopters. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Family Day -- A Century of Women in Aerospace(All Grade Levels)
For over 100 years, women have contributed to technological advances in aviation and space. Hear about the historic women who have inspired today’s role models at A Century of Women in Aerospace Day taking place Sept. 14, 2013, at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. The event is free and open to the public.

Super Science Saturday -- Living and Working in Space(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on Sept. 14, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. This month's event focuses on living and working in space. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Family Day -- Hispanic Heritage Month: Innovators in Air and Space(All Grade Levels)
Celebrate Latin America’s historical contributions to aviation and space exploration at Hispanic Heritage Month: Innovators in Air and Space Day event taking place Sept. 21 2013, at the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. A second event will take place Oct. 5, 2013, at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. Meet current Hispanic scientists and engineers through the Smithsonian Latinos in STEM initiative. Listen to bilingual stories and participate in hands-on activities. The events are free and open to the public.

Super Science Saturday -- Balloons and Blimps(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on Oct. 12, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. This month's event focuses on balloons and blimps. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellowships(Higher Education)
The NASA Postdoctoral Program supports NASA’s goal to expand scientific understanding of the Earth and the universe in which we live. NPP Fellows complete one- to three-year fellowship appointments that offer scientists and engineers unique opportunities to conduct research in fields of science relevant to NASA. Applicants must have completed a Ph.D. or equivalent degree before beginning the fellowship, but may apply while completing the degree requirements. Applications are due Nov. 1, 2013.

Super Science Saturday -- The Moon and Beyond(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on Nov. 9, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST. This month's event focuses on the moon and beyond. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Super Science Saturday -- The Wright Brothers(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on Dec. 14, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST. This month's event focuses on the Wright Brothers. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Teacher Learning Journeys Project(All Grade Levels)
NASA's Aerospace Education Services Project has teamed up with the National Science Teachers Association to launch the new Teacher Learning Journeys project. This new approach to individualized professional development allows participants to select, prioritize and complete training opportunities that allow them to make use of specific resources, teaching strategies and content. This free project helps participants meet personal learning goals, and increase student learning and motivation.

Citizen Science: Asteroid Mappers(All Grade Levels)
NASA's Dawn Mission invites you to investigate and analyze high-resolution Dawn images of the giant asteroid Vesta, including craters and other features, from your own computer. The Dawn Mission's spacecraft has gathered intriguing data, including tens of thousands of images, more than the Dawn team has time to analyze in detail. That's where you come in. Register today to help the Dawn Science Team make sense of new elements on the surface of Vesta and learn more about this mysterious world.

Curiosity Explorer Badge on Foursquare(All Grade Levels)
NASA and the mobile application Foursquare have teamed up to help the public unlock its scientific curiosity with a new rover-themed Curiosity Explorer badge. Users of the Foursquare social media platform can earn the badge by following NASA and checking in at a NASA visitor center or venue categorized as a science museum or planetarium. Foursquare users also can keep up with Curiosity as the rover checks in at key locations and posts photos and tips, all while exploring the Red Planet.

New NASA's Digital Learning Network Module: Digital Badges(Grades 9-12 and Higher Education)
NASA's Digital Learning Network, or DLN, is excited to offer a unique opportunity to learn about a new innovative teaching tool called a digital badge. Using a brand-new type of 3D content, a new interactive game-based activity allows visitors to join in the excitement of the Mars Curiosity Rover. During your event, the DLN will give an overview of the Mars Curiosity Activity and provide additional information regarding digital badges for lifelong learning.

Odyssey of the Mind -- It's How You Look at It(All Grade Levels)
NASA is sponsoring the Odyssey of the Mind Long-Term Problem -- It's How You Look at It. To solve this problem, teams create and present an original humorous performance that includes two characters that act naturally -- to them -- but odd to those around them. The performance must include a meter that indicates the degree of odd/normal behavior and a creative scene change. Visit the site for more information and dates for regional competitions.

Expanded Offer for Space Shuttle Tiles and Food(All Grade Levels)
NASA is expanding its offer of space shuttle heat shield tiles and food packaged for spaceflight to museums and schools. Museums across the United States are now eligible to receive these pieces of space history, in addition to the schools and universities that have received them since the end of the Space Shuttle Program. Requests for these artifacts are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The artifacts are free, but museums and schools are responsible for paying shipping and handling fees.

Centennial Challenge: Nano-Satellite Launch Challenge (Higher Education)
NASA and the Space Florida Small Satellite Research Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., are seeking teams to compete in a satellite launch technology demonstration competition with a $2-million prize purse. Teams will compete to launch satellites with a mass of at least 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) into Earth orbit twice within the span of one week. Draft Rules for public comment will be posted in the near future at http://www.spaceflorida.gov/nano-sat-launch-challenge.

Teacher and Student Opportunity: Ames Education Associates Project (Higher Education)
The Ames Education Associates Program is a unique experiential learning program that provides students or faculty members at U.S. colleges or universities, postdoctoral fellows and active K-12 teachers the opportunity to "experience NASA." Educational Associates will participate in and contribute to a project at a NASA facility for a minimum of two months, and a maximum of 12. The program operates year round and positions may start and end at any time.

Research Scholarship: NASA Astrobiology Institute (Higher Education)
The NASA Astrobiology Institute Research Scholarship Project offers research-related travel support that enables graduate or postdoctoral students to circulate among two or more NAI teams or participating institutions of the NAI. Requests are accepted on a continuous basis.

ROSES-13 Amendment 9: Final Text for ROSES-13 Appendix A.35, The GLOBE Implementation Office(Higher and Informal Education)
The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment, or GLOBE, Program is an important element of NASA's commitment to promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, education among youth worldwide. NASA solicits proposals for an organization or a consortium of organizations to host the GLOBE Implementation Office and collaborate with NASA in the implementation of GLOBE. Notices of Intent are requested by May 20, 2013, and proposals are due July 19, 2013.

The Curiosity Rover: Robotic Geologist and Explorer Web Seminar(Grades K-12 and Informal)
NASA Explorer Schools and the National Science Teachers Association are hosting a 90-minute live professional development Web seminar for educators on May 21, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Jordan Evans from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory will provide an overview of the Curiosity mission and talk about some stunning geologic discoveries. Curiosity is packing 10 science instruments, including four spectrometers, a rock-zapping laser and the first drill used on Mars.

Engineering Design: Forces and Motion -- The Great Boomerang Challenge Web Seminar(Grades 9-12 and Informal)
NASA Explorer Schools and the National Science Teachers Association are hosting a free 90-minute professional development Web seminar on May 29, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Learn how aerodynamic forces and motion are used in boomerang design. Participants will be introduced to the Boomerang Design Challenge and learn how to incorporate this activity into science classes. Two extensions featuring free computer simulations that teach students about airflow around airfoils will also be shared.

2013 GLOBE Virtual Student Conference(All Grade Levels)
The Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment, or GLOBE, Virtual Student Conference is a place for GLOBE students to showcase their research projects for peer and scientific review. These projects will be available online for the public to view and to post comments and questions. Projects will be available for viewing through May 31, 2013.

Family Day -- Explore the Universe: Everyone Looks Up!(All Grade Levels)
Everyone looks up! People around the world have always looked to the sky, but they don’t always see the same things. Experience how different people study the sky and hear their stories at Explore the Universe Day taking place June 1, 2013, at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. The event is free and open to the public.

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (All Grade Levels)
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring, or PAESMEM, recognizes excellence in mentoring individuals from groups that are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education and the workforce. Presidential awardees receive a $10,000 award and a commemorative presidential certificate. Awardees are invited to participate in an awards ceremony in Washington D.C. Nominations are due June 5, 2013.

NASA Seeks Academic Partners for SmallSat Technology Collaboration(Higher Education)
NASA is seeking small spacecraft technology project proposals from U.S. colleges and universities that would like to collaborate with agency researchers. Small spacecraft, or smallsats, represent a growing field of space research and operations in which universities often have led the way in technology development. NASA expects to select approximately 10 proposals. Awards for each project will include as much as $100,000 ($150,000 for teams of more than one school). Proposals are due June 5, 2013.

Super Science Saturday -- Energy(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on June 8, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. This month's event focuses on energy. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Free Lecture -- 50 Years of Solar System Exploration: New Worlds, New Discoveries(All Grade Levels)
Through the decades of planetary explorations, a wide variety of spacecraft (orbiters, landers, rovers and more) have revealed an amazing diversity of worlds, each with its own story to tell. On June 13, 2013, join James L. Green, director of planetary science at NASA Headquarters, as he guides attendees through the 50-year voyage of discovery. The lecture begins at 8 p.m. at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Come early to see a free film and to meet the lecturer. The lecture will be webcast live.

Engineering Design Challenge: Spacecraft Structures Web Seminar(Grades K-12 and Informal)
NASA Explorer Schools and the National Science Teachers Association are hosting a 90-minute live professional development Web seminar for educators on June 20, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Learn how to incorporate the excitement of rocketry into your classroom during this Web seminar and receive an overview of the student engineering design challenge, Spacecraft Structures, where students design and construct a strong, but lightweight, structure that can withstand the launch of a water bottle "rocket."

Going to Mars With MAVEN -- Send Your Name to Mars(All Grade Levels)
The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission, also known as MAVEN, is set to launch to the Red Planet in November 2013. And your name could hitch a ride to Mars! Names will be placed on a DVD that will be carried aboard the MAVEN spacecraft. Participants who submit their names to the Going to Mars campaign will be able to print a certificate of appreciation to document their involvement with the MAVEN mission. Names must be submitted by July 1, 2013.

Going to Mars With MAVEN -- Message to Mars Contest(All Grade Levels)
The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission, also known as MAVEN, is set to launch to the Red Planet in November 2013. And your personal message could hitch a ride to Mars! Messages must be in the form of a haiku poem, and the public will vote to select the top three entries. Winning haikus will be carried aboard the MAVEN spacecraft and will be prominently displayed on the MAVEN website. Entries must be in English and are due July 1, 2013.

Super Science Saturday -- Weather(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on July 13, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. This month's event focuses on weather. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Super Science Saturday -- Helicopters(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on Aug. 10, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. This month's event focuses on helicopters. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Family Day -- A Century of Women in Aerospace(All Grade Levels)
For over 100 years, women have contributed to technological advances in aviation and space. Hear about the historic women who have inspired today’s role models at A Century of Women in Aerospace Day taking place Sept. 14, 2013, at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. The event is free and open to the public.

Super Science Saturday -- Living and Working in Space(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on Sept. 14, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. This month's event focuses on living and working in space. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Family Day -- Hispanic Heritage Month: Innovators in Air and Space(All Grade Levels)
Celebrate Latin America’s historical contributions to aviation and space exploration at Hispanic Heritage Month: Innovators in Air and Space Day event taking place Sept. 21 2013, at the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. A second event will take place Oct. 5, 2013, at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. Meet current Hispanic scientists and engineers through the Smithsonian Latinos in STEM initiative. Listen to bilingual stories and participate in hands-on activities. The events are free and open to the public.

Super Science Saturday -- Balloons and Blimps(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on Oct. 12, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. This month's event focuses on balloons and blimps. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Super Science Saturday -- The Moon and Beyond(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on Nov. 9, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST. This month's event focuses on the moon and beyond. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Super Science Saturday -- The Wright Brothers(All Grade Levels)
Join the National Air and Space Museum for Super Science Saturday at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., on Dec. 14, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST. This month's event focuses on the Wright Brothers. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. Admission is free, and parking is $15.

Teacher Learning Journeys Project(All Grade Levels)
NASA's Aerospace Education Services Project has teamed up with the National Science Teachers Association to launch the new Teacher Learning Journeys project. This new approach to individualized professional development allows participants to select, prioritize and complete training opportunities that allow them to make use of specific resources, teaching strategies and content. This free project helps participants meet personal learning goals, and increase student learning and motivation.

Citizen Science: Asteroid Mappers(All Grade Levels)
NASA's Dawn Mission invites you to investigate and analyze high-resolution Dawn images of the giant asteroid Vesta, including craters and other features, from your own computer. The Dawn Mission's spacecraft has gathered intriguing data, including tens of thousands of images, more than the Dawn team has time to analyze in detail. That's where you come in. Register today to help the Dawn Science Team make sense of new elements on the surface of Vesta and learn more about this mysterious world.

Curiosity Explorer Badge on Foursquare(All Grade Levels)
NASA and the mobile application Foursquare have teamed up to help the public unlock its scientific curiosity with a new rover-themed Curiosity Explorer badge. Users of the Foursquare social media platform can earn the badge by following NASA and checking in at a NASA visitor center or venue categorized as a science museum or planetarium. Foursquare users also can keep up with Curiosity as the rover checks in at key locations and posts photos and tips, all while exploring the Red Planet.

Odyssey of the Mind -- It's How You Look at It(All Grade Levels)
NASA is sponsoring the Odyssey of the Mind Long-Term Problem -- It's How You Look at It. To solve this problem, teams create and present an original humorous performance that includes two characters that act naturally -- to them -- but odd to those around them. The performance must include a meter that indicates the degree of odd/normal behavior and a creative scene change. Visit the site for more information and dates for regional competitions.

Discovery Dome Loaner Program(Informal Education)
Thanks to NASA support from the Competitive Program for Science Museums and Planetariums, museums, science centers, Challenger centers and other 501(c)(3) community organizations are eligible for a free monthlong Discovery Dome loan. The dome includes the show "We Choose Space," but will also include other NASA-sponsored planetarium shows and software. Preference will be given to rural sites, sites more than 100 miles from a digital planetarium and sites serving minority groups.

Expanded Offer for Space Shuttle Tiles and Food(All Grade Levels)
NASA is expanding its offer of space shuttle heat shield tiles and food packaged for spaceflight to museums and schools. Museums across the United States are now eligible to receive these pieces of space history, in addition to the schools and universities that have received them since the end of the Space Shuttle Program. Requests for these artifacts are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The artifacts are free, but museums and schools are responsible for paying shipping and handling fees.

Host a "From Earth to the Solar System" Exhibit (Informal Educators)
Celebrate NASA's Year of the Solar System by hosting a "From Earth to the Solar System" exhibit. This collection of high-resolution images showcases the excitement of planetary exploration. The images are freely available to organizations worldwide to host their own exhibitions. The artistic and informative images weave together themes in astrobiology, planetary science and astronomy. The collection represents the current state of exploration as seen through the eyes of the scientific community.

Teacher Opportunity: Fit Explorer Challenge (Grades K-12, Informal)
Inspire the nation's future explorers by joining NASA and the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports in a variety of exciting physical and hands-on educational activities to encourage students to train like astronauts. Students in grades 3-5 will track their progress, learn the science behind nutritional and physical fitness, and relate physical Earth-based needs to the requirements of exploring in space.