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

  • University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Launches New Emergency Communications System

    The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) recently deployed a new emergency notification and incident management system for its campus, according to a news release. The university partnered with 911Cellular to launch Safe@UTC, a smartphone app allowing university officials to communicate and respond during emergency situations.

  • California K–12 District Completes Elementary School Campus Replacement

    The West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) in Richmond, Calif., recently announced the completion of a replacement campus for Lake Elementary School, according to a news release. The school has capacity for 470 students between Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and sixth grade.

  • Rhode Island Boarding School Completes Student Dorm Renovations

    St. George’s School in Middletown, R.I., recently announced the completion of a $26-million renovation project on Arden-Diman-Eccles Dormitory, according to a news release. The school partnered with Voith & Mactavish Architects (VMA) on the new space, which places a new focus on collaborative community spaces open to both boarding students and day students.

  • Countway Library at Harvard Medical School

    From Shadows to Sanctuary: The Transformation of Light at Countway Library

    The renovation of Countway Library at Harvard Medical School demonstrates how biophilic design and advanced lighting strategies transformed a formerly dark, insular space into a vibrant, welcoming hub that supports wellness, learning, and community engagement.