NASA Moon Base Challenge

 

The next giant leap needs your ideas!


NASA’s Moon Base Challenge invites student teams at U.S. high schools and post-secondary schools to contribute designs for the Moon Base.

 

For this challenge, student teams will design innovative solutions across six categories: power generation and storage, construction, life-support systems, surface mobility, communications networks, and astronaut safety. By tackling hands-on challenges in engineering, manufacturing, robotics, IT, environmental systems, and construction, student teams can turn classroom learning into real space industry innovation.


Registration is open until Jan. 25, 2027. Click here to learn more and register.

Shine Bright for Voyager's Light-Day Milestone

In the early morning hours of Wednesday, Nov. 18, NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft will pass an extraordinary milestone, a distance reached by no other human-made object: one light-day away from Earth.


To celebrate, NASA is inviting you to "Shine Bright for Voyager's Light-Day" on Tuesday, Nov. 17, by being part of a global wave of golden light. Click here to learn how you can join this worldwide celebration honoring Voyager’s journey into the deep unknown. Don't forget to tag @NASA on social media if you participate!

 

Bring this incredible milestone to your student as a teachable moment! Click here to find a suite of STEM resources for grades 6+ that give learners and educators a closer examination of the continuing legacy of the Voyager missions.

Online Learning Opportunities

Explore NASA Science: Help Scientists See Space Better With “Artifact Inspector”

Event Date:

Thursday, Nov. 19, at 4 p.m. EST

Contact: brooklynn@scistarter.org

 

Become part of real NASA research! Meet astrophysicist Dr. Aimee Schechter and learn how you can help advance NASA research with Artifact InSPECtor, a citizen science project where volunteers help examine scientific data to support NASA discoveries.

 

In this free virtual event, you’ll look at telescope images and help teach computers (machine learning) how to tell real objects in space from glitches and smudges ("artifacts") that don’t belong. Dr. Schechter and the SciStarter team will guide you step-by-step, so no experience is needed. Click here to register to attend.

 

This event is part of Do NASA Science LIVE!, a series of interactive events hosted by SciStarter that bring communities together to participate in real NASA science. 

Surprisingly STEM Live Session: Powering the Future – Electronics Technicians at NASA

Registration Deadline:

Wednesday, Nov. 25

Event Date:

Thursday, Dec. 3, at 1 p.m. EST

Contact: hq-virtual-engagements@mail.nasa.gov

 

Are you hardwired to become an electronics technician? Spark your interest in this electrifying career by joining us for a live virtual session with electronics technicians at NASA.

 

Find out how technicians build electronics for rocket launches, scientific research, and human spaceflight. Discover how these skilled experts help bring big ideas to life by wiring electronic control systems, connecting tiny sensors, and testing instruments for the extreme conditions of space.

 

Students interested in electrical systems and wiring, skilled trades, applied STEM programs, and technical careers are encouraged to attend. Click here for event and registration details.

Apply to Be a NASA Astronaut

NASA is looking for the explorers who will help write the next chapter of human spaceflight.


Applications are now open for the agency’s next class of astronauts, who will join NASA as America returns to the Moon, builds the Moon Base, and lays the groundwork for the first crewed missions to Mars.



The next generation of astronauts will train to operate on the lunar surface, live and work beyond Earth, and take on missions that will push the boundaries of human exploration farther than ever before.


Applications are due Thursday, Dec. 3.


Click here for astronaut qualifications, frequently asked questions, and application information.

Funding Opportunity

Notice of Funding Opportunity: NASA FY 2027 Teams Engaging Affiliated Museums and Informal Institutions (TEAM II) STEM Innovator Awards

Proposal Deadline:

Monday, Feb. 1, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. EST

Contact: TEAMii@nasaprs.com

 

NASA is seeking proposals for the FY 2027 TEAM II STEM Innovator Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Eligible lead applicants are U.S.-based nonprofit informal education institutions, including science museums and centers, planetariums, libraries, and youth-serving organizations that meet the eligibility requirements described in the NOFO.

 

Through the TEAM II STEM Innovator activity, proposers will help address America's growing STEM talent gap by connecting learners to NASA missions and aerospace careers through immersive, mission-connected experiences that build STEM identity, technical skills, and career awareness. TEAM II STEM Innovators serve as regional hubs, building partnerships and strengthening regional STEM and workforce development ecosystems while fostering STEM identity, technical skills, career awareness, and exploration of Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways aligned with current and emerging opportunities in the aerospace workforce and growing space economy. Proposed activities should primarily engage students in grades 5-8 and include collaboration with at least one regional or national STEM network, consortium, association, or STEM-focused informal education institution.

 

NASA anticipates making approximately 16 cooperative agreement awards of about $250,000 each for projects lasting two to three years, subject to the availability of appropriated funds.

 

Prospective proposers are invited to attend one of two optional pre-proposal webinars. Sessions will be offered on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2026, and Monday, Jan. 11, 2027.

 

Click here for full solicitation and pre-proposal webinar session details.

Partner Opportunities

 

2027 STEM Teacher Leadership Academy

Application Deadline:

Jan. 30, 2027

2027 Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Art Contest for Grades K-8

Entry Deadline:

Jan. 31, 2027

STEM Next Out-of-School Time Top Ten Activity Bundle

Available Now

Want to subscribe to get this message delivered to your inbox each Thursday? Sign up for the NASA EXPRESS newsletter at https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/nasa-express/.


Are you looking for NASA STEM materials? Search hundreds of resources at https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/search.


Check out the ‘Science for Everyone’ website! Science starts with questions, leading to discoveries. Visit https://science.nasa.gov/for-everyone. To view the site in Spanish, visit https://ciencia.nasa.gov.


Are you looking for more NASA prizes, challenges, and crowdsourcing opportunities? Visit https://www.nasa.gov/get-involved/ to find ways to contribute to NASA’s work.

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NASA Office of STEM Engagement

We are engaging students in NASA’s exciting missions, broad range of careers, and unique opportunities.


Visit nasa.gov/learning-resources/



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