NASA launches STEM-in-sports online learning program


STEM Mania Flyer

Teachers and students can learn the science behind scoring a touchdown, throwing a slam-dunk or a hitting a homerun with a new distance-learning program called NASA STEM Mania.

NASA’s Distance Learning Network (DLN) will present the two-week series Monday, Feb. 24, through Monday, March 10, and will give educators and students from kindergarten through 12th grade the opportunity to learn how NASA and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) play a role in sports.

The DLN is an interactive videoconferencing network that allows the next generation of explorers to connect with NASA scientists, engineers and researchers without leaving the classroom. The distance-learning events are designed to educate through demonstrations and live interactions with NASA experts across the country.

NASA-STEM-Mania-LogoNASA STEM Mania sessions will be held each Monday through Thursday and will allow students and educators the ability to interact virtually with NASA subject matter experts on a variety of topics such as the science of race car driving, using STEM to succeed in football, and using basketball as an engineering example in the classroom. Sample highlights from the various sessions include: sports clips from the International Space Station; a special astronaut appearance; and, how to become an Orion virtual crew member.

Student Engagement Sessions (All program times are Eastern Time)

Monday, Feb 24th 12:55-1:50 p.m.: The Moon DLN Module
Tuesday, Feb 25th 1-2 p.m.: Parachuting onto Mars
Wednesday, Feb 26th 1:40-2:25 p.m.: Our Solar Neighborhood DLN Module
Thursday, Feb 27th 12:00 p.m.: Live Coverage Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Mission Launch

Monday, Mar 3rd 12-1 p.m.: Planet Hopping DLN Module
Tuesday, Mar 4th 1-2 p.m.: Plunging Under with SCUBA Diving
Wednesday, Mar 5th 12-1 p.m.: Football – It’s How we learn Science
Thursday, Mar 6th 12:40-1:25 p.m.: Humans in Space DLN Module

Monday, Mar 10th 12-1 p.m.: Become an Orion Virtual Crew Member
Wednesday, Mar 12th 1-2 p.m.: The Invisible Universe
Thursday, Mar 13th 12-1p.m.: ISS Mission Control On-Console Interview with the DLN – JSC

Monday Mar 17th 1:10-2:10 p.m.: Moon Math
Tuesday, Mar 18th 1-2 p.m.: Robotics & 10 years roving on Mars Celebration
Wednesday, Mar 19th 1-2 p.m.: Astronaut virtual appearance

Educator Professional Development Sessions (All programs run 4-5 p.m. Eastern Time)

Monday, Feb 24th: Digestion in Space
Tuesday, Feb 25th: Spaced Out Sports
Wednesday, Feb 26th: Remotely Operated Vehicles on a Budget
Thursday, Feb 27th: Rockets 2 Racecars: Drag Race to Mars

Monday, Mar 3rd: Mysterious Pluto
Tuesday, Mar 4th: Robotics On a Budget
Wednesday, Mar 5th: The Superbowl of STEM: Getting started with Robotics Competitions
Thursday, Mar 6th: R2R: NICE Go Green Edition

Monday, Mar 10th: NASA DIY Podcast: Sports
Tuesday, Mar 11th: The Natural World vs The Design World- NASA’s Exploration Design Challenge
Wednesday, Mar 12th: Eyes on the Earth/Solar System/Exoplanets
Thursday, Mar 13th: How is Bowling Connected to Mars?

Monday, Mar 17th: Wash Out or Game On? Predicting weather with clouds
Tuesday, Mar 18th: Jump on Math – Stay Balanced
Wednesday, Mar 19th: Mass vs. Weight: What’s the Big Difference Anyway?
Thursday, Mar 20th: Engineering in your Classroom

NASA’s Digital Learning Network  provides science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) instruction from all 10 field centers featuring NASA missions and research.  Register for free, interactive events listed in the catalog, or watch the DLiNfo Webcast Channel.

To learn more about each session, register for a session or watch the session live via NASA’s DLiNfo Channel, please visit: https://dln.nasa.gov

For information about NASA’s education programs, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/education

NASA DLN

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