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Education Resources

    NASA’s education specialists have developed four thematic units of NASA content to help make your summer programming both exciting and meaningful. The selected units are specific, hands-on, problem-based activities that are appropriate for the summer learning setting. These units are designed to actively engage your students by providing:
    • Opportunities for students to explore what they know.
    • Flexible schedules for the delivery of content.
    • Achievable learning goals.
    • Opportunities for educators to become more comfortable delivering NASA content.
    • A greater connection to NASA’s mission and its educational resources.

    The Educator Resources section will help you select the themes and lessons most appropriate for your summer programming. The best place to start is to have a strong knowledge of your camp’s needs and your students’ abilities.

    What to Consider When Selecting Content

    For the success of your summer programming, the Summer of Innovation has made sure that the thematic units are high-quality activities that:

    • Are age-appropriate.
    • Set high expectations for kids.
    • Are standards-based.
    • Interest and excite kids.
    • Vary in length and approach.
    • Take place in a logical sequence.

    Check List:

    1. Grade Level -- Make sure the lessons are appropriate for the student's ability.
    2. Schedule -- Check to see if the lessons and activities will fit within your schedule.
    3. Materials -- See what materials are needed for each lesson to ensure they are within your budget.
    4. Alignment -- For a great experience, make sure the NASA lessons align with the theme of your program.

NASA’s Summer of Innovation's Thematic Units

    Life Science Physical Science Earth and Space Science Engineering

     

    Grades 4-6
    Life Science
    • Body
    • Food
    • Life Out There?
    • Plants
    • Survival
    		 Physical Science
    • Aeronautics
    • Force and Motion
    • Gravity
    • Properties of Matter
    • Waves and Optics
       

    Grades 7-9

    		  
    Earth and Space Science
    • Climate and Seasons
    • Destination Mars
    • Earth Moon Systems
    • Planetology
    • Remote Sensing
    • Universe
    • Weather
    • Year of the Solar System
    		 Engineering
    • Aeronautics
    • Challenges
    • Design Process
    • Exploration
    • Robotics
    • Rocketry

Quick Links to SoI Materials

NASA's Curiosity Rover

Themed Camps

    NewThe following camps provide examples of one-day, two-day and week-long programs. Each day contains six to eight hours of activities totaling more than 35 hours of instructional time. The camp template will help you develop an appropriate learning progression that focuses on the concepts necessary to engage in learning. The activities and experiences in the guides come from NASA’s vast collection of educational materials.

    Visit the Professional Development section for related training opportunities.

    › Professional Development

Themed Camp Guides

  • Plane flying over the desert

    Aeronautics Camp

    This camp centers on the mathematical and design principles of flight design.

  • Molecules in space

    Life Science Camp

    This camp centers on the characteristics of living things, astrobiology, exoplanets and adaptations to the space environment.

  • Surface of Mars

    Mars Exploration Camp

    This camp centers on the past, present, and future exploration of Mars.

  • The Earth

    Mission to Planet Earth Camp

    This camp centers on the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, biosphere, and geosphere of Earth.

  • Two Robonaut robots

    Robotics Unplugged Camp

    This camp centers on the engineering design process and how we can envision, develop and build robots to help us in our work.

  • Planets in the solar system

    Solar System Adventures Camp

    This camp centers on the scale, exploration and composition of the planets, moons and other objects.