Education Initiatives on the Space Station

The International Space Station is not only valuable for advancing research and development—it also provides a powerful platform to inspire the next generation and engage students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

You can find out the latest on education initiatives on the space station at the 2018 ISS Research and Development Conference (ISSRDC)—Monday, July 23 through Thursday, July 26 in San Francisco. ISSRDC(Abbreviation: ISSRDC) The only conference dedicated exclusively to showcasing how the International Space Station is advancing science and technology and enabling a robust and sustainable market in LEO. This annual conference brings together leaders from the commercial sector, U.S. government agencies, and academic communities to foster innovation and discovery onboard the space station. ISSRDC is hosted by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, manager of the ISS National Lab; NASA; and the American Astronautical Society. is the place to go to hear thought leaders and subject matter experts discuss the latest research and education activities taking place in low Earth orbit(Abbreviation: LEO) The orbit around the Earth that extends up to an altitude of 2,000 km (1,200 miles) from Earth’s surface. The International Space Station’s orbit is in LEO, at an altitude of approximately 250 miles.!

A technical session on Tuesday will discuss ground-based STEM programs that engage students with the space station, and a session on Wednesday focuses on space-based student projects. More details on the technical sessions are listed on the ISSRDC website. In addition to these technical sessions, Thursday is designated as STEM day at the conference, with a whole schedule of events centered on STEM education and the ISSInternational Space Station.

The Space Station Explorers Consortium, a growing community of the ISS National Lab partner organizations, works to leverage the unique platform of the ISS to offer valuable educational experiences that engage students in authentic science and project-based learning and spark an interest in STEM fields. Research and development onboard the ISS serves as a valuable resource for educators to illustrate traditional science concepts, bringing the excitement of space into the classroom. Additionally, learning about space-based research inspires the next generation to continue to pursue scientific exploration.

The ISS National Lab education portfolio fosters STEM literacy, preparing students to pursue careers in STEM fields and helping to shape more capable future leaders and decision makers for our nation and the world. To learn more about specific initiatives and ISS National Lab partner programs, visit www.spacestationexplorers.org.