Launch Your Summer with NASA STEM: A Step-by-Step Guide to Space-Themed Activities

Overview

Summer is the perfect time to blast off into new skills and adventures, and NASA offers a universe of opportunities to fuel your curiosity. This guide walks you through two standout activities: the Stardance Challenge (a coding and creation competition) and the Behind the Scenes of NASA Careers virtual events. Whether you're a budding programmer, an aspiring engineer, or just space-curious, you'll find step-by-step instructions to get started, essential prerequisites, and common pitfalls to avoid. By the end, you'll be ready to launch your own NASA-inspired summer!

Prerequisites

Before diving in, ensure you have the following:

• Age requirements: Stardance Challenge is open to ages 13–18. NASA career events are open to all ages, but technical content is best for high school and above.
• Internet access: All activities are online. A reliable connection is needed for virtual sessions and project submission.
• Registration: Some events have deadlines. For Career Technical Education Day (June 2), register by May 26. For Virtual Career Connection (June 11), register by June 2. See details below.
• Basic skills: For Stardance, familiarity with coding (any language), electronics, or hardware is helpful but not required. Beginners are welcome with guidance from Hack Club mentors.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Join the Stardance Challenge (June 1 – September 30)

Partnering with Hack Club, NASA invites teens to create projects using real mission data from Artemis, the James Webb Space Telescope, and more. Follow these steps:

1. Explore the challenge: Visit the Stardance Challenge website to review rules, prize categories, and past projects. RSVP to receive a reminder when submissions open.
2. Access NASA data: Choose a dataset from NASA's public portals. For example, download JWST images via the NASA Science website or use the NASA API to retrieve real-time data. Sample Python code to fetch a JWST image:

   import requests
   import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
   from PIL import Image
   
   # Replace with your API key from https://api.nasa.gov/
   api_key = "YOUR_KEY"
   url = f"https://api.nasa.gov/planetary/apod?api_key={api_key}"
   response = requests.get(url)
   data = response.json()
   img_url = data['url']
   img = Image.open(requests.get(img_url, stream=True).raw)
   plt.imshow(img)
   plt.show()

3. Choose a project type: Options include coding apps, games, simulations; building electronics or circuit boards; creating physical models; or composing visualizations. NASA provides mission materials and multimedia for inspiration.
4. Develop and submit: Work individually or in teams. Hack Club offers peer and expert reviews, plus virtual sessions with NASA subject matter experts. Submit your project before September 30.
5. Engage with the community: Share progress on Hack Club's Slack, attend office hours, and showcase your work for prizes.

2. Go Behind the Scenes of NASA Careers

Discover the diverse roles that make space exploration possible—beyond astronauts and engineers. Two virtual events are scheduled:

Event A: Career Technical Education Day (June 2)

Hosted by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, this session covers robotics, AI, autonomous systems, and skilled technical careers. Register here by May 26.

Event B: Virtual Career Connection: Aviation Technology (June 11)

Meet aircraft mechanics and technicians supporting NASA flight programs. Learn about pathways into aviation tech careers. Register by June 2.

Steps to make the most of these events:

1. Identify your interests: Think about what excites you—coding, building, fixing, analyzing? NASA needs all these.
2. Register early: Use the links above. Spots may fill; don't wait until the deadline.
3. Prepare questions: Jot down what you want to ask about daily work, education, or career growth. Experts love curiosity.
4. Attend and engage: Join on time, turn on video if comfortable, and ask questions in chat.
5. Explore more: After the event, visit the Next Gen STEM Careers page for videos, articles, and additional opportunities.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Missing deadlines: Mark your calendar for registration dates (May 26, June 2) and the Stardance submission cutoff (Sept 30). Late entries won't be accepted.
• Not using real NASA data: The Stardance Challenge requires using actual mission datasets. Avoid generic projects—leverage the provided materials for a stronger entry.
• Ignoring peer reviews: Hack Club offers feedback sessions. Skipping them means missing valuable insights to improve your project.
• Thinking NASA only hires astronauts/scientists: The career events show a wide spectrum of roles. Don't rule yourself out if your passion is different—technicians, communicators, and logistics experts are vital.
• Not asking questions: Virtual sessions are your chance to network. Silence leaves opportunities unexplored.

Summary

This Summer, NASA STEM activities offer a launchpad for creative and career exploration. The Stardance Challenge (ages 13–18, June 1–Sept 30) lets you build projects with real space data, supported by Hack Club mentors. The Behind the Scenes of NASA Careers events (June 2 and June 11) reveal the diverse professions behind missions. With the steps above—register early, engage fully, and avoid common pitfalls—you’re set for an out-of-this-world summer. Blast off today!