NASA’s Science Activation (SciAct) teams recently attended the National Rural STEM Summit, held in Tucson, Arizona, from June 4-7, 2024. The summit, organized by Kalman Mannis of the Rural Activation and Innovation Network (Arizona Science Center) and the SciTech Institute, provided a platform for organizations to collaborate and discuss strategies for enhancing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education in rural areas. For more details, visit the National Rural STEM Summit website.
Engagement and Presentations
Various members of the SciAct teams participated in the summit, delivering presentations aimed at improving STEM education. Matt Cass and Randi Neff from SciAct’s Smoky Mountains STEM Collaborative shared insights on creating meaningful experiences for rural STEM learners through their presentation titled “A sense of place: Crafting authentic experiences for rural STEM learners.”
Highlight Topics
Tina Harte, representing NASA’s Science Systems and Applications, Inc., presented “Nature explorations with NASA,” focusing on leveraging nature-based activities to enhance STEM learning. Kalman Mannis from the SciAct STEM Ecosystems project discussed leadership development in STEM through the session “Building leaders in STEM through coaching, connections, and camaraderie.” The summit also featured contributions from various members of the SciAct Rural Committee.
Partnerships and Support
The SciAct STEM Ecosystems initiative, supported by NASA through cooperative agreement award number 80NSSC210007, is a part of NASA’s Science Activation Portfolio. This initiative aims to connect NASA science experts with community leaders to foster a deeper understanding of science and its applications in the real world. More information about how SciAct connects communities with NASA science can be found on NASA’s Science Activation website.
NASA’s involvement in rural STEM education initiatives has evolved over the years. Initially focusing on broader educational outreach, NASA has increasingly tailored its approach to address the unique challenges faced by rural communities. Previous efforts often centered around urban or suburban areas, but recent initiatives emphasize creating tailored experiences that resonate with rural learners. This shift in focus aims to build sustainable local partnerships and provide ongoing support to educators and students in these areas.
In past summits, topics were often covered broadly, with a wide range of STEM subjects. However, there is now a noticeable trend towards specificity and practicality in sessions. For example, the current emphasis on authentic, place-based learning experiences indicates a strategic move to make STEM education more relatable and impactful for rural students. This approach contrasts with earlier strategies that may have lacked the same level of contextual relevance.
The SciAct teams’ participation in the National Rural STEM Summit exemplifies NASA’s commitment to enhancing STEM education in rural communities. By focusing on creating authentic, place-based learning experiences, NASA aims to make STEM more accessible and relevant to rural students. The summit highlighted the importance of partnerships and community engagement in achieving this goal. Moving forward, the continued collaboration between NASA, educational organizations, and rural communities will be crucial in expanding STEM opportunities and fostering a deeper understanding of science among rural students.
