STEMtoSpace
Welcome to STEMtoSpace 2025! STEMtoSpace is designed to facilitate virtual connections between Space Force Guardians and K-12 classrooms. We hope to share the importance of STEM careers in the Space Force.
Educators can participate in STEMtoSpace in a variety of ways including:
Explore all of the options below!
A STEMtoSpace Welcome Message from USSF Guardian and current NASA Astronaut, Col. Nick Hague, from the International Space Station!
1:1 Classroom Connections
For these virtual engagements your classroom will be assigned an Guardian volunteer (military or civilian). The volunteer will virtually meet with you and your students for a 20-30 minute presentation and question and answer session. Educators and volunteers will choose a date and time that works with all schedules.
Discussion topics could include:
- mission of Space Force
- role of STEM in Space Force
- education and training needed for careers in the Space Force
- experiences that lead your Guardian to the Space Force
- and more!
STEM Activities
- Geoscience, Grades K-2, Activity PDF, Grades 3-5, STEMtoSky, STEMtoSpace
- Grades 3-5, Game, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, STEMtoSpace
- Cyber, Activity PDF, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, STEMtoSky, STEMtoSpace
- Aerospace, Grades K-2, Activity PDF, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, STEMtoSpace
- Aerospace, Grades K-2, Physics, Activity PDF, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, STEMtoSpace
- Aerospace, Grades K-2, Activity PDF, STEMtoSpace
- Aerospace, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Game, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, STEMtoSpace
- Grades K-2, Activity PDF, Grades 3-5, Game, STEMtoSpace
3D Printable STEMtoSpace Coin
Have a 3D printer in your classroom? Collect our STEMtoSpace 2025 coin and print one for your students! The .stl file is available on thingiverse.com.
STEMtoSpace Videos
A Message from Secretary Kendall (2 minutes)
Grade Level
All audiences
Video Description
Secretary of the Department of the Air Force Frank Kendall welcomes teacher and student to the STEMtoSpace program.
NGSS Standards
NA
Keywords
STEMtoSpace, Welcome
AFRL Inspire 2015: Space Junk: The Unknown Orbital Iceberg (11 minutes)
Grade Level
Grades 9-12
Video Description
Dr. Moriba Jah, Air Force Research Laboratory aerospace engineer, discusses space junk, Space Force research, and taxonomy to classify artificial space objects.
NGSS Standards
NA
Keywords
space junk , astrodynamics, GPS , aerospace, taxonomy, acceleration, composition, remote sensing
AFRL Inspire 2022: Delia Jesaitis & Steve Colenzo: Hacking in the Name of Space Security (9 minutes)
Grade Level
Grades 9-12
Video Description
This video discussed the importance of cybersecurity of satellites from intruders.
NGSS Standards
NA
Keywords
hacking, DEFCON, cybersecurity, biotechnology
AFRL Inspire 2022: Dr. Jayde King – Human Autonomy Teaming: Sci-Fi Dreams Made Reality (12 minutes)
Grade Level
Grades 9-12
Video Description
Dr. Jayde King discusses various emergency situations that can be solved with machine learning/autonomous models.
NGSS Standards
NA
Keywords
autonomous, inference, machine learning , artificial intelligence
Guardian and Astronaut - Brigadier General Nick Hague (8 minutes)
Grade Level
Grades 7-12
Video Description
Brigadier General Nick Hague serves as an active Astronaut at the NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas. He served as the NASA SpaceX Crew-9 Commander which launched on Sept. 28, 2024, and returned on March 18, 2025, for 171 days. During Expedition 72, Hague and fellow American crew members conducted more than 150 unique experiments and logged over 900 hours of research aboard the orbiting laboratory.
NGSS Standards
- NGSS Standards 9-12: HS-ESS1-4 Earth’s Place in the Universe, HS-ETS1-2 Engineering Design
Keywords
Astronaut, space travel, ISS
Alternate Link
NA
Guardian Smith relates to Disney plus film "Elio" (1 minute)
Grade Level
Grades 6-12
Video Description
The video features an individual reflecting on their personal connection to the film Elio and its portrayal of space operations. The speaker, who trained as an orbital analyst at Vandenberg Space Force Base, discusses how the film accurately represents aspects of the U.S. Space Force mission—specifically, tracking and navigating spacecraft through orbital debris. The commentary bridges the gap between cinematic storytelling and real-world aerospace operations, emphasizing how space situational awareness and orbital analysis are vital to protecting space assets and ensuring mission safety.
NGSS Standards
- MS-ESS1-3 — Earth’s Place in the Universe
Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system. - HS-PS2-4 — Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions
Use mathematical representations of Newton’s Law of Gravitation and Coulomb’s Law to describe and predict the motions of objects. - HS-ETS1-4 — Engineering Design
Use a computer simulation to model the impact of proposed solutions to complex real-world problems involving systems and interactions. - HS-ESS3-3 — Earth and Human Activity
Create a computational simulation to illustrate relationships among management of natural resources, sustainability, and human activity.
Keywords
Elio, Space Force, Vandenberg Space Force Base, Orbital analyst, Spacecraft, Debris field, Ground teams, Space operations, Satellite navigation, Space Base Delta 3, U.S. Space Force mission, Orbital debris, Space assets, Aerospace, STEM careers
Alternate Link
https://www.dvidshub.net/video/983565/guardian-smith-relates-disney-plus-film-eliohttps://www.dvidshub.net/video/983565/guardian-smith-relates-disney-plus-film-elio
On Guardians: 1st Lt. Nicole Becker (3 minutes)
Grade Level
Grades 9-12
Video Description
1st Lt. Nicole Becker shares her journey from growing up in Rockland County, NY to serving in Space Electromagnetic Warfare with Mission Delta 3, tracing how college in NYC and ROTC shaped her desire for something beyond a “normal” path. Inspired by the legacy of space missions, she sought challenge and transformation, developing her leadership skills through ROTC and ultimately during a high-tempo, high-stress deployment where she worked 12-hour days, learned by doing, led a team on a cutting-edge project, and discovered the confidence and leadership style that now define her career.
NGSS Standards
NA
Keywords
Space Force, Transformative, Confidence, Leadership, Guardian, ROTC, cutting-edge, Electromagnetic Warfare
Operating GPS Satellites (3 minutes)
Grade Level
Grades 7-12
Video Description
The discussion of how GPS works and operates is highlighted in this video. The Space Force is responsible for monitoring these satellites
NGSS Standards
- NGSS Standards 9-12: HS-ESS1-4 Earth’s Place in the Universe, HS-ETS1-2 Engineering Design
Keywords
GPS , radio ranging , trilateration
Space Force Origins (3 minute)
Grade Level
Grades 5-12
Video Description
This inspirational video discusses the purpose and contributions and importance of the Space Force. This segment gives key examples of why the Space Force is essential to our country.
NGSS Standards
- NGSS Standards K-5: 5.Earth’s Systems,3-5-ETS1 Engineering Design
- NGSS Standards 6-8: MS-PS1 Matter and its Interactions, MS-PS2 Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions
- NGSS Standards 9-12: HS.Forces and Interactions
Keywords
Space Force, GPS, power grids, survelliance, space operations ,
Alternative Link
Space Force Priorities (2 minute)
Grade Level
Grades 5-12
Video Description
A celebration of America’s Space Force, and of its Guardians that stand ready to protect and deter in freedom’s high frontier.
NGSS Standards
- NGSS Standards K-5: 3-5-ETS1 Engineering Design
- NGSS Standards 6-8: MS-PS1 Matter and its Interactions, MS-PS2 Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions
- NGSS Standards 9-12: HS-ETS1-2 Engineering Design
Keywords
Space Force, cooperation, collaboration, innovation
Alternative Link
Space Junk (4 minute)
Grade Level
Grades 3-4
Video Description
In this video Newton’s Laws of Motion are applied to space junk. Space junk includes the remains from old satellites and rockets. The US Space Force tracks these materials and shares that information for public use.
NGSS Standards
- NGSS Standards K-5: Earth Systems
Keywords
space junk, Newton’s Laws of Motion
Alternative Link
Space Time with Rocket (9 minutes)
Grade Level
Grades K-4
Video Description
This engaging and fun video discusses modern day technology that was developed because of exploring and experimenting in space some of these include: smart phones, GPS, and satellites.
NGSS Standards
- NGSS Standards K-5: 3-5- ETS1- Engineering and Design
- NGSS Standards 6-8: MS-PS-1 Motion and Stability, MS-PS-2 Motion and Stability
Keywords
Space Force, technology, space, careers , satelllites
Alternate Link
Tracking Weather from and in Space (4 minutes)
Grade Level
Grades 9-12
Video Description
This video discusses weather satellites and how they gather atmospheric data. This data is vital for determining the height of ocean waves, prediction of snow storms, and sandstorms to provide military aircraft advanced warning. Near Earth weather satellites contain sensors that allow for monitoring across the United States.
NGSS Standards
- NGSS Standards 9-12: HS.Weather and Climate, HS-ESS2-2 Earth’s Systems, HS-ETS1-2 Engineering Design
Keywords
infrared, weather satellites, weather, space weather, magnetic field, ultraviolet imaging, stationary
Alternative Link
1:1 Classroom Connections FAQ
What are these events?
STEMtoSpace is a program designed to facilitate engagement with school classrooms led by our military and civilian Guardians. The goal is to raise awareness and highlight the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), as well as our service’s contributions to national security and daily life.
Most events will take place virtually. If you are located near a participating Space Force base, your volunteer may be able to travel to you!
When are the events?
STEMtoSpace is celebrated in December. During this time, Guardians will work with their assigned classrooms to choose a date and time that works with your schedule. STEMtoSpace 2025 is scheduled for December 1 – 19. Dates are flexible based on the school’s schedule.
Who are the speakers?
Speakers for this event come from across the Dept of the Air Force. This includes both civilian and military personnel. Your specific speaker may have one of a variety of careers including engineer, operator, researcher, cyber security specialist, satellite technician and more!
How much does the program cost to participate?
STEMtoSpace events are FREE!
What is included with the program?
The Guardian to Classroom connection is a live two-way 20-30min virtual interaction between your classroom and an assigned Space Force Guardian, scientist, engineer or researcher.
There are activities and videos that can be used before or after your events to help prepare for and reflect on STEM.
How do we connect with our assigned Guardian presenter?
You will be introduced to your volunteer via email. Be sure to check both your school email and personal email accounts. The email will come from [email protected]. Add us to your address book to help prevent our emails being sent to spam!
Once you have received your email, you will work with your assigned volunteer to schedule the date and time of the engagement. You can use the virtual platform of your choice (Zoom, Team, Meet, etc.)
How many students or classes can be in a program at once?
We recommend one program request per individual classroom of around 30 students for the best 1:1 virtual experience. However, some classes have grouped together for a single engagement.
Each request made will be paired with one Guardian for one 20-30 minute session. For multiple sessions, please submit multiple requests.
Who can participate?
Any K-12 group is eligible to participate! The program and activities are designed for students of all ages. This program is not just designed for classrooms; we also encourage after school clubs, Civil Air Patrol groups, JROTC and non-profit organizations to sign-up as well.
Homeschool students are encouraged to register as a group rather than individually.
Can I request a specific volunteer?
Yes! There is a field on the request form to request a specific volunteer. This may be a friend, family member or a volunteer you have worked with previously. We will do our best to accommodate your request.
At this time, we are not able to accommodate requests for career type (ex. we can not accommodate a request to speak to a pilot or mechanical engineer).
