NASA Glenn Educational Activities

A major part of the NASA mission is "To inspire the next generation of explorers . . . as only NASA can." Aeronautics and space programs provide unique opportunities to stimulate and inspire young minds to excel in science and math skills. Many students dream of being pilots, astronauts, or world-renowned scientists and engineers. We encourage these dreams as we work to capture young people's interest in science and math, as we'll need an adequate pool of young people to assume the jobs necessary to take us into the 21st century.

General Programs and Resources

Educational Programs Office

Glenn is working to advance NASA's aims to involve the educational community in our endeavors to inspire America's students, create learning opportunities, and enlighten inquisitive minds.

Educator Resources

Educators are given special access to unique NASA resources which have been proven in classrooms.

Classroom Presentations

NASA Glenn's Speakers Bureau members are available to come to your school.

Student Tours

Groups of students can take guided tours of the Glenn Visitor Center.

Learning Technologies Project

An online collection of K-12 resources developed under the High Performance Computing and Communication project.

University Programs

The Office of University Programs (OUP) facilitates collaboration of the Glenn research community with academia, and to cultivate successor generation of scientists and engineers. OUP conducts established Agency programs, local programs, and related activities to promote university involvement in the realization of NASA's mission. The focus of these programs is on university faculty and graduate student involvement in research programs.

NASA Excess/Surplus Property

NASA makes surplus research equipment and computers available to qualified educators. Programs include the Stevenson-Wydler program.

Aeronautics Educational Programs and Resources

Aeronautics Kid's Page

A set of pages especially designed to help kids learn about aeronautics with an emphasis on aircraft engines. The web site and linked activities were assembled by trained educators working with Glenn's experts on aircraft engine technology. Sponsored by the Ultra-Efficient Engine Technology program.

Beginner's Guide to Aerodynamics

What is it that keeps an airplane weighing hundreds of thousands of pounds in the air and what causes the lift that gets the airplane off the runway? The information at this site will give you a better understanding of how airplanes work.

FoilSim gives you a wind tunnel on your desktop and let's you test your airfoils in the tunnel. The software also explains why a curve ball curves.

Beginner's Guide to Propulsion

Did you ever wonder how jet engines work or why there are different kinds of jet engines? The information at this site gives anyone a better understanding of how jet engines work.

EngineSim will let you try you hand at designing a jet engine and see how far the engine will take you.

Re-Living the Wright Way

Don't wait for the year 2003 to celebrate the centennial of the Wright Brothers' first powered flight. This web site gives educators and students of all ages a thorough approach apply the invention process of the Wright Brother. Complete with interactive elements, lesson plans and activities.

(Mobile) Aeronautics Education Laboratory (MAEL/AEL)

The Mobile Aeronautics Education Laboratory (MAEL) is a mobile, state-of-the-art, traveling classroom that brings new technologies to partnership cities to excite students about science and math. It has been replicated in fixed classrooms (AELs) around the United States, including Puerto Rico.

Aeronautics Environmental Impact Traveling Exhibit (The Aero Bus)

This traveling exhibit features a 42" plasma screen video theater display with Hi-Fi stereo sound. The videos shown are related to the NASA Glenn Research Center's efforts in aeronautic propulsion and reducing its impact on the environment. In addition, other videos related to the entire NASA effort are shown.

Spaceflight Educational Programs and Resources

Microgravity Education

A collection of resources and activities for teachers and students to explore the concepts of the microgravity (weightless) environment. Provided courtesy of Glenn's Microgravity Science Division.

Dropping In a Microgravity Environment (DIME) [alternate site]

The Microgravity Science Division is sponsoring a new competitive educational opportunity for high school-aged teams to design, fabricate, and operate a microgravity experiment. The five winning teams will travel to NASA Glenn for the operation of their experiment in the NASA Glenn 2.2 Second Drop Tower in April 2001.

Beginner's Guide to Model Rockets

The Beginner's Guide to Model Rockets will show you the basic math and physics which governs the design and flight of model rockets. There are also links to general rocketry information and activities.

Satellite Communications

Information and Activities for students grades 7 - 12.

Earth Science Educational Programs and Resources

Earth Day (Everyday!)

Activities and events sponsored by the Environmental Management Office.

Space Science Educational Programs and Resources

Solar System Walk

The Solar System Walks are educational and recreational trials designed to give an appreciation for the enormous size of the universe.

NASA-wide Educational Resources

Spacelink

Spacelink is an online collection of NASA information and educational materials.

NASA Education Home Page

NASA's endeavors to inspire America's students, create learning opportunities, and enlighten inquisitive minds.

NASA-affiliated Educational Resources

Ohio Aerospace Institute

The Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI) is a private, not-for-profit corporation comprised of a consortium of nine Ohio universities, NASA Glenn Research Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and technology companies. OAI promotes collaborative research, graduate and continuing education, and the adaptation of advanced technology for industry.

SEMAA

The Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy (SEMAA) was created to expose historically under-represented youth to activities in the fields of science, engineering, mathematics, and technology. The Academy, developed as a partnership between NASA's Glenn Research Center and Cuyahoga Community College, is a multi-site organization reaching nearly 4,000 students participating in programs around the country. SEMAA is funded by NASA's Office of Equal Employment Opportunities.

Responsible Official: David M. DeFelice, Community and Media Relations Office
Web Site Curator: webmaster@grc.nasa.gov

Last updated on Thursday, 30-Sep-2004 14:25:16 EDT