Did you know there are a variety of careers in the Air Force beyond aviation? In this session we will explore a variety of jobs you may not think of when discussing the Air Force. There will be several Air Force members in this panel talking about their role in the Air Force. We will explore their careers, education, training, and day to day activities.

The 2024 Dream with Us design challenge is NOW OPEN! For students ages 13-18, this team-based challenge gives students a chance to share their vision for the future of aviation with NASA experts. This year’s theme is focused on natural disasters--students are developing new and improved ways aviation can help with natural disaster response.

Challenge submissions will be accepted March 1 – April 30, 2024. Learn more about the challenge and NASA’s ACERO project on the Dream with Us Design Challenge webpage.

Let’s celebrate Earth Day with the Air Force! What’s the difference between meteorology and climatology? The Air and Space STEM Office will be joined by a member of the US Air Force at Altus Air Force Base to learn the difference. Changes made across the global are leading to elevated levels of warming. We’ll discuss how monitoring weather and climate impact the Air Force today and in the future.

Attention students in grades 7 through 12: You have an opportunity to design DNA experiments that address a challenge in space exploration!

Life on Earth has evolved under the effects of our gravity and the protection of our atmosphere. Human space exploration opens up amazing new opportunities for life, and serious challenges too. The Genes in Space Challenge is a great way to expand upon life science!

April 14th is World Quantum Day. Let’s celebrate with the US Air Force! Students will be introduced to the concept of quantum science with Dr. Michael Senatore, expert on quantum computing from Rome Labs in Rome, New York. Students will learn about quantum science and how it relates to every-day things, and solving real life problems. Dr. Senatore will describe his work in the quantum lab and share a day in the life of an Air Force scientist.

In celebration of “Find Your Place in Space” Week (April 6-13, 2024), join the Air and Space Forces STEM Office for a virtual panel with members of the U.S. Space Force who will share their space career journeys and how they found “their place in space”.

Celebrate and observe the solar eclipse that will be visible all across North America on Monday, April 8! The National Air and Space Museum, in collaboration with other Smithsonian museums, NASA, NOAA, and the National Science Foundation, presents an outdoor festival with activities for all ages.The eclipse will be visible in the Washington, DC area between 2:04 pm and 4:32 pm. Maximum eclipse will be at 3:20 pm, with the Sun 89% covered by the Moon.

Visitors should bring their own eclipse glasses to the event. Please check the resources listed NASM’s solar eclipse deep dive for information on how to obtain safe eclipse glasses or solar viewers.

Learn how to inspire and motivate young innovators at the USPTO National Summer Teacher Institute! Participants will learn the principles of intellectual property and innovation from patents, trademarks, innovation, and entrepreneurship experts. Educators will also learn how to use USTPO's educational materials and resources in the classroom to create lesson plans that engage students in problem-based learning and STEM achievement.

S.H.E. Can is a free camp from the National Air and Space Museum with two sessions at the Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. S.H.E. Can explores aviation careers and topics with middle schoolers, targeting girls and other underrepresented identities in grades 6-8.

The National Summer Teacher Institute (NSTI) is a multi-day professional development training opportunity designed to support elementary, middle, and high school teachers as they increase their knowledge of concepts of making, inventing, and intellectual property (IP) creation and protection.

The NIST Summer Institute is a two-week workshop for middle school science teachers. As a participant, you’ll gain new knowledge of science, a network of NIST researchers to consult with, and materials you can implement in your curriculum.

Students will learn all about space weather - what it is, how it's formed, and how it impacts life here on Earth, such as in the form of Northern Lights and especially eclipses. We will focus on how to best engage with the upcoming totality eclipse in April. They'll also dive into ideas for current and future STEM careers we will need to better protect ourselves from solar weather and engage with the resulting phenomenon.

This event brings DC families, schools, and organizations together to showcase student problem-solving skills and innovative designs. Students from DC public schools, public charter schools, private and parochial schools, and home schools may participate (participants must register by March 4). The competition takes place at Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C.

Calling all STEM enthusiasts! Are you looking to make an impact on student's lives by encouraging them to continue to explore the world of STEM? Volunteer to be an eCYBERMISSION Virtual Judge, where you will review, comment and score eCYBERMISSION Mission Folders! Registration closes on March 12.

The ACCESS Lending Library allows K-12 teachers in the D.C. Metro area to reserve and check out a variety of STEM resources for their classrooms. There is no cost to join, and we offer free professional learning sessions at the National Air and Space Museum for all of our members!

The ACCESS Lending Library allows K-12 teachers in the D.C. Metro area to reserve and check out a variety of STEM resources for their classrooms. There is no cost to join, and we offer free professional learning sessions at the National Air and Space Museum for all of our members!

Looking for a professional development opportunity that’s closer to home? NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Sparking Participation and Real-world eXperiences in STEM (SPARX) program, a virtual program that provides educators with direct support from NASA education specialists to help bring engaging STEM lessons to the classroom.

Space for Teachers provides authentic, immersive microgravity research opportunities for teachers and students within a supportive network of active researchers, educators, and technologists. 

What do cutting edge research, state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and unparalleled access to professional scientists and engineers have in common? The AEOP High School Apprenticeship. Spend your summer in a university research lab or in one of the U.S. Army Research Laboratories and Centers through this unique apprenticeship opportunity. You will experience firsthand the innovation and research that is driving the future of our country. Do something meaningful this summer to prepare you for competitive college admissions and the next step in your STEM journey. Submit your application today for a chance to participate in the AEOP Apprenticeship Program. The impacts of this transformative experience will last a lifetime.

Students will learn about what it takes for humans to live long term in space, specifically the medical and mental health problems we face when considering longer-term space travel like going to Mars, and what kinds of solutions we have in place and need to create to make this exploration possible.

Join Dr. Jayde King of the Air Force Research Lab (AFLR) as she discusses her research in Human Autonomy Teaming, the study of humans and machines working and thinking together. Does this sound like science fiction? It's not! Learn how the research of AFRL is being implemented throughout the Air Force.

The Department of Defense (DoD) announces the Fiscal Year 2025 Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP). DURIP is designed to improve the capabilities of accredited United States (U.S.) institutions of higher education to conduct research and to educate scientists and engineers in areas important to national defense, by providing funds for the acquisition of research equipment or instrumentation. For-profit organizations are not eligible for DURIP funding.

Let’s celebrate Pi Day, the International Day of Mathematics, with the US Air Force! Join Dr. Rachel Kinard to learn about mathematics in her career. The session will cover an introduction to the concept of Pi and its importance in real-world Air Force applications.

Building Leaders for Advancing Science and Technology offers an exciting way for rising 9th and 10th grade students to spend three days of summer! Participating students get to stay in a college dorm and see what campus life is like on-site at one of five partner universities: Old Dominion University, Radford University, the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, or William & Mary. No previous experience in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) is needed, and this program is FREE for participants. BLAST is designed to help students find their place in STEM.

The Patuxent Partnership reminds local high school student to save the date for the second annual Spark! Student Career Awareness Fair to be held February 1, 2024.

The inaugural fair in 2023 featured 26 organizations that provided hands-on demos and interactive booths to 440 high school students from the tri-county area.

Companies are now being sought to participate. Companies must have an interactive component for their display. Email jennifer.brown@paxpartnership.org for information.

If you are a student or student coordinator in the National Capital Region, the Saturday STEM Expo at the University of the District of Columbia is an incredible opportunity to learn about exciting STEM roles in a range of agencies and organizations. Interact with dozens of local institutions and build connections that could kickstart your career! The event is free and open to students in grades 6-12 in and around Washington, D.C. Parents and guardians are also encouraged to attend and learn more about these exciting STEM opportunities.

Join the National Air and Space Museum and explore techniques to help young children use scientific practices, develop science skills, and cultivate a STEM mindset! In this session, Ann Caspari will demonstrate questioning, close-looking, model-making, and dramatic play techniques to help children make personal connections to science, technology, engineering, and math content while applying their developing theories. You’ll leave with digital resources for your early childhood classrooms and strategies to develop lasting STEM skills. Optional: bring a paper bag and scissors to practice a maker activity!