Spaceward bound is an educational program developed
at NASA Ames and funded by the Exploration
Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD). The mission of Spaceward
Bound is to train the next generation of space explorers by having
students and teachers participate in the exploration of scientifically
interesting but remote and extreme environments on Earth as analogs
for human exploration of the Moon and Mars. Spaceward Bound
supports the second major NASA education goal to attract and retain
students in STEM disciplines through a progression of educational
opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students in STEM and
Education, pre-service and in-service STEM K-12 teachers as well
as STEM education faculty. (See NASA’s
Stragetic Coordination Framework: A Portfolio Approach)
Through our Field
Expeditions and Mars Simulations,
we inspire, engage and educate members of the STEM education pipeline,
and prepare individuals for employment in disciplines needed to
achieve NASA’s mission and strategic goals.
Together with our partners we ensure that the NASA Education
Operating Principles of relevance and usefulness to the education
community; effective utilization of NASA content, people and facilities;
participation of under-represented and under-served students; and
rigorous evaluation based on reputable models and techniques form
the foundation for the Spaceward Bound program.
This opportunity is brought to you by the
NASA Exploration Systems Mission Directorate
and our Partners
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