Planetary Resources and Content Heroes (ReaCH)
Planetary ReaCH News
Find opportunities for planetary scientists to engage Black and LatinX youth audiences, and for informal educators to learn more about planetary science or to participate in NASA activities.
Engagement Opportunities for Scientists Ways to Connect with Scientists Funding Opportunities for Science Engagement Science Engagement Resources Diversity & Inclusion in Science Engagement
Engagement Opportunities for Scientists
Seeking Volunteers for Bright STaRS
Every year, AGU invites middle and high school students to submit their research to the Bright STaRS program held in conjunction with the annual meeting. Hundreds of students participate. Organizing and supporting this program takes the efforts of multiple people––your assistance is needed! If you have the time and interest in assisting in the organizing and delivery of this inspiring program, please reach out to the program chair.
Assist with AstroCamp!
NASA Astro Camp Community Partners (ACCP) needs Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) such as planetary scientists, astrobiologists, engineers, astronomers, Earth scientists, and heliophysicists to assist with various ACCP sites. For more information, email maria.l.lott@nasa.gov or morgan.l.necaise@nasa.gov.
Attend a Planetary ReaCH Workshop
Planetary scientists and astrobiologists (including graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, engineers and technicians) are invited to apply to attend a Culturally Inclusive Planetary Engagement professional development workshop. These workshops enhance the ability of the planetary science and astrobiology community to engage Black and Latinx youth and their families.
NASA SCoPE Connections
NASA SCoPE invites U.S. based, career and early career scientists and engineers to get connected with NASA SCoPE and Science Activation.
VIRTEX: Mentoring Opportunity with Boys & Girls Clubs
Scientists who work in extreme environments are invited to become VIRTEX Mentors! With training and support, mentors will act as STEM role models as they connect with teams of students (ages 10-15) at a partnering Boys & Girls Club.
Ways to Connect with Scientists
NASA's Universe of Learning: Request an Expert
NASA’s Universe of Learning maintains a database of subject matter experts who specialize in topics across the field of astrophysics. Please complete their form below and they will be in touch to pair you with a list of experts.
VIRTEX
Boys & Girls Clubs are welcome to apply to participate in the Virtual Trips to Extreme Environments (VIRTEX) program. VIRTEX connects Boys & Girls Clubs with researchers who study unique extreme environments. Students meet virtually with these "NASA Mentors" who conduct exciting research in unique laboratory settings and at remote field locations. Through dialogue before, during, and after a virtual fieldtrip with NASA Mentors, students develop an increased understanding of the mentors’ backgrounds, motivations to do research, problem-solving skills, and career pathways, while learning more about unique NASA research and these extreme environments that their mentors work in.
NASA Engages
The NASA Engages program is composed of NASA Experts who share NASA missions and content at educational, professional, civic, and other public venues. Audiences include preschool to college, libraries and museums, scouts, professional and technical organizations, community groups and other non-profit organizations. Experts are made up of professionals from education, engineering, science, and other fields.
Shadow the Scientists
Shadow the Scientists (StS) offers free online public experiential learning sessions for students at all academic levels, educators, and other enthusiasts several times a month. During these sessions, the participants eavesdrop via Zoom on scientists while they are actively conducting research and related activities. We also offer dedicated sessions that can be tailored for a specific group in which participants have more opportunities for direct engagement with the scientists.
Funding Opportunities for Science Engagement
DPS Education and Outreach Grants
The DPS Committee invites DPS members to apply for DPS Education and Outreach Grants. The DPS Committee is offering small grants (average amounts of $200 to $500) to support DPS members to engage in local and virtual education and public engagement activities. These grants are intended to support DPS member efforts to engage other members, students, teachers, and the public and can be used for materials, consumables, equipment but not for salary or travel to DPS meetings. Grants have a rolling deadline with reviews occurring each month. Awardees will be alerted by the 15th of each month after they are received.
NASA SCoPE Seed Grants
NASA SCoPE invites early career scientists and career NASA scientists/engineers to apply for a seed grant to support your collaboration with a NASA Science Activation Team. Bring your outreach ideas to life! Grants of $5k to $20k are available for career and early career scientists (i.e., within 10 years of PhD) with preference for individuals from underrepresented communities.
Science Engagement Resources
Stories of Women in STEM: Space - New E-Book from the Smithsonian
The Smithsonian Science Education Center recently published "Stories of Women in STEM: Space," the newest e-book in a series for young learners! Read the new e-book, and check out the rest of the e-books in the series!
Role Model Strategies Guide: Encouraging Youth to Consider STEM Careers
When you visit a youth program as a role model, you have a lasting impact, affecting futures by creating positive images of careers in STEM fields. Use the strategies and tips listed here to make the most out of your role model experience - for the youth and for yourself. Becoming an effective role model is a process. Start with just a few tips, incorporating others as you become more confident. And don’t forget to have fun!
Scientist and Engineer Speaker Toolkit
Speaker guidelines and resources from NASA's Universe of Learning to help share the wonders of NASA missions and science with learners of all ages.
AGU Sharing Science Program
This science communication and outreach program offers resources, webinars, workshops, hands-on support and opportunities to help scientists communicate more effectively with diverse audiences about Earth and space science and its importance and impact on society.
NISENet Earth and Space Toolkits
Hands-on STEM public engagement activities and resources about Earth and space science developed by this NASA Science Activation project. Materials are available in English and Spanish, along with videos on the science and how to conduct the activities.
LPI's Explore! Modules
Planetary hands-on activities designed to be easy to conduct, use readily available materials, and require little preparation time. The topics are designed to be flexible for different programs, including summer sessions, after-school programs, festivals, science days, and family events.
ARES Science Engagement
These hands-on activities, developed by ARES staff, have been designed to engage audiences with content that highlights authentic NASA science, research, and exploration including work being facilitated within the ARES Division at the NASA Johnson Space Center. These resources can be adapted and used in formal or informal learning environments.
Diversity & Inclusion in Science Engagement
2024 Advancing IDEA in Planetary Science Conference
The 2024 Advancing IDEA in Planetary Science conference (October 21-25) aims to boost the community’s momentum in incorporating Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) principles in the workforce. NASA and other planetary science stakeholders have committed to fostering IDEA principles throughout their agencies and funded programs. The LPI’s Expanding NASA’s Community of Planetary Sample Scientists (ENComPSS) program is supporting this free virtual conference as a next step, building upon the 2022 Advancing IDEA in Planetary Science conference.
Unconscious Bias Training
The University of California San Francisco’s Office of Diversity and Outreach has great information about unconscious bias, the science behind it, assessments, and strategies to address it.
ADVANCEGeo Partnership
The NSF-funded project provides workshops on a variety of topics, such as bystander intervention, and includes a variety of community resources.
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility Resource Center
LPI has curated a variety of diversity and inclusion resources on this site.
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