Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Space Center Houston Earns U.S. State Department Grant to Teach Global Sustainability

  • 09/17/15

Houston – The nonprofit Space Center Houston has earned a prestigious U.S. Department of State grant that will unite it with two other science centers in France and Singapore in a collaborative global education project.

The Museums Connect grant funds a future-looking six-month initiative focused on teaching youth about space science, technology and global citizenship. The collaborative effort will draw teens from the three countries to work together to solve real-world problems in a fun cultural exchange.

“This partnership is a part of the center’s long-term objectives to partner with other leading science centers on cross-cultural projects,” said Kim Parker, director of development for the nonprofit. “We are excited to teach the next generation of explorers about working together to solve global problems.”

Space Center Houston, the Science Centre Singapore and Cité de l'espace in France will engage students and teachers to explore new learning and teaching practices focused on building a sustainable Mars community. Selected participants will attend online courses and then travel to each center for hands-on training.

The program will culminate at Space Center Houston’s Mars Trekker Global Teen Summit. The international summit will welcome students from across the world. Teens will learn new skills for the 21st century with fun, hands-on activities. Topics to be explored in the summit include clean water, renewable energy and the nutrition needed to develop a sustainable community on the red planet.

Students will participate in interactive workshops and hear from NASA scientists and engineers, all aimed at inspiring students to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Participants will enjoy many social aspects including concerts, live shows and other entertainment in Space Center Houston’s simulated Mars Yard.

Museums Connect is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs that is administered by the American Alliance of Museums.

Space Center Houston welcomes more than 100,000 educators and students annually from around the world to its educational programs. For more information on Space Center Houston, visit spacecenter.org.

Featured

  • UNT Dallas Holds Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for $100M STEM Building

    The University of North Texas at Dallas in Dallas, Texas, recently celebrated the opening of its new, $100-million STEM Building, according to local news. The ceremony on Dec. 2 preceded the first day of classes in the facility on Jan. 12, 2026.

  • Geometric abstract school illustration

    How Design Shapes Learning and Success

    Can the color of a wall, the curve of a chair, or the hum of fluorescent lights really affect how a student learns? More schools are beginning to think so.

  • Kimball International Releases Curated Design Support Program

    Commercial furnishings company Kimball International recently announced the launch of a new end-to-end design support program, DesignSuite. According to a news release, its goal is to guide architecture & design professionals and dealer partners through the process from vision to specification.

  • University of Arizona Approves New Residence Hall

    The Arizona Board of Regents recently approved plans for a new residence hall at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Ariz., according to a news release. The new facility is scheduled to open in fall 2028 and have the capacity for more than 1,200 students, enforcing a new university expectation that all first-year students live on campus.