Spaceward bound is an educational program developed at NASA Ames. 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.