Informal Education Programs
NASA's ESE seeks to increase public scientific literacy of Earth system science and climate change by engaging the public in shaping and sharing the experience of exploration and discovery. NASA is doing this by:
Providing engaging Earth system science content and human resource support to informal learning institutions for the benefit of all learners; and
Cultivating citizens' abilities to get the data, resources and information they need to satisfy their own curiosity about how the Earth system works and/or take actions to meet individual or societal needs.
Informal learning opportunities arise in many venues, including museums, science and nature centers, public lands management groups and agencies, community and youth groups, and the mass media. NASA Earth system science informal education efforts are building and maintaining relationships with informal educators, with a focus on providing content and expertise for these professionals. The program also develops and distributes a rich variety of Earth system science education resources and materials that can be used by informal educators and audiences—these are listed in the "Products & Resources" section of the current catalog. This section describes informal education projects and activities that are supported by NASA's ESE.
- A View From Space
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A 700 sq. ft. bilingual (Spanish and English) traveling exhibit from OMSI that gives museum visitors a chance to see the world from a satellite's perspective.
- Earth & Sky
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Concise daily podcasts featuring the words and insights of scientists from around the world.
- Earth Update
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Earth Update is a free, interactive, real-time display system of Earth images and data designed for Museums and Schools and available to the general public.
- Eyes on Earth
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Eyes on Earth is a 2,500 sq. ft. interactive, traveling science exhibition developed by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) that focuses on NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS).
- Federation of Earth Science Information
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The Federation of Earth Science Information Partners is a unique consortium of more than 90 organizations that collect, interpret and develop applications for remotely sensed Earth observation information.
- Forces of Change
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Forces of Change is a comprehensive program at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History about the dynamics of global change.
- Immersive Earth: Teaching Earth Science by Fulldome Experiences and Hands-On Exhibits
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Immersive Earth produces movies that teach Earth science concepts using immersion in dome-shaped theatres.
- International Polar Year (IPY)
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A coordinated effort by the international science and education communities to learn more about polar regions and their role in global processes, and to attract a new generation of scientists and engineers with the skills and imagination to tackle complex global issues.
- NASA Museum Alliance
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A community of practice and a learning network composed of staff (education, science, exhibit, multimedia, and management) at museums, science centers, planetariums, observatories, NASA Visitor Centers, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, and nature centers who wish to share NASA content and resources with their local audiences.
- Virginia Geospatial Extension Program
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Targeted programs that promote the use of geospatial tools and applications, and integrate geospatial concepts throughout the K-20 educational pipeline.