Below is a week-by-week Session Outline for the course:

Session 1
- NASA Internships, Global Space App Challenge, NASA+
In our first class session, we'll provide an overview of NASA educational offerings and introduce the NASA internship programs. Students will learn how to search for open activities in the NASA listings portal. We will also explore the annual NASA Global Space App Challenge (open to all ages). We will discuss the new NASA+ streaming service. Students will be encouraged and supported to participate. 

Session 2
- NASA Virtual Guest Program, Night Sky Network, Exoplanet Watch
In Class 2, we'll explore NASA's Virtual Guest program for launches and mission milestones, and the NASA Night Sky Network. We'll learn how to participate in Night Sky Network's local programs, live webinars with scientists and the citizen science project called Exoplanet Watch. 

Session 3
- NASA Jet Propulsion Lab Activities and Breakthrough Junior Challenge
The NASA NASA Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) offers its own array of intriguing student activities. In this class, we'll learn about JPLs live webinars with scientists and build an origami starshade. We'll also play with the Mars Trek interactive simulator and explore the Breakthrough Junior Challenge, a competition for students 13-18 with a $250K Grand Prize for best science short video. 

Session 4
- NASA Power to Explore Challenge and Internship Tips
In this session, we will explore NASA's Power to Explore Challenge. This Challenge is an annual writing competition in which K-12 students submit a 250-word essay describing a mission using Radioisotope Power Systems. We'll learn how Radioisotope Power Systems work and read essays from previous essay winners at various grade levels. 

Session 5
- NASA Earth & Applied Sciences Research Projects: NeMO-Net and Spritacular
Although NASA is probably most known for its work in space, NASA has a large Applied Earth Sciences division which constantly monitors Earth and guides decision-making. In this session, we'll learn about the work of this division and explore exciting Earth Science research projects that students can get involved with: NeMO-Net (coral reef research) and Spritacular (Transient Luminous Events research). 

Session 6
- Explore NASA's Dream With Us Aeronautics challenge.
- Investigate past student projects.
- Discuss NASA's Flight Check program.
- Students share completed and work-in-progress participation materials. 

Session 7
- Explore NASA's Student Launch Challenge.
- Learn about past student teams and the launch process. 
- Students share completed and work-in-progress participation materials. 
- Students are encouraged and supported to participate in this session's programs. 

Session 8 
- Explore the Artemis Student Challenges, including the Human Exploration Rover Challenge
- Investigate past student projects.
- Students share completed and work-in-progress participation materials. 
- Students are encouraged and supported to participate in this session's programs. 

Session 9
- Explore NASA's Tech Rise Challenge.
- Learn about student engineering projects.
- Students share completed and work-in-progress participation materials. 
- Students are encouraged and supported to participate in this session's programs. 

Session 10
- Explore the Surprisingly STEM live presentations by NASA staff. 
- Learn about jobs and careers that are not commonly thought of in terms of NASA, including food scientists, marine biologists, dive specialist and astronaut fitness trainer.
- Students share completed and work-in-progress participation materials. 
- Students are encouraged and supported to participate in this session's programs. 

Session 11
- Explore the International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition.
- Students share completed and work-in-progress participation materials. 
- Students are encouraged and supported to participate in this session's programs. 

Session 12
- Students present their ideas and plans to continue developing their interests, including future applications and participations. 
- Discuss current NASA events and review how to continue finding up-to-date opportunities to engage with NASA learning programs. 

This course is taught by Quantum Physics for Kids instructor Prof. Mark Baraket (M.S. Astrophysics), a professional astrophysicist and NASA collaborator with a commitment to teaching the next generation of scientists. Quantum Physics for Kids is dedicated to introducing young students to the amazing world of quantum physics, invention & science research. We've been offering STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math) classes and creating educational materials for students of all ages for over 15 years. We're excited to share this course content with more students through Outschool. 

Homework Offered
Homework includes reviewing course handouts and signing up for programs of interest. 
0 - 1 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Assessment will be conducted through class review/discussion of student work and progress in joining NASA programs.
Grades Offered