NASA is set to bring a comprehensive array of its scientific endeavors and educational resources to the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) conference, scheduled for April 16-18, 2026. Educators, researchers, and science enthusiasts are invited to Booth #1265 in the Exhibit Hall to experience the NASA Hyperwall, where agency experts will deliver dynamic, data-rich presentations spanning Earth science, space exploration, and astronomical discoveries. This initiative underscores NASA’s steadfast commitment to advancing science literacy and empowering the next generation of innovators and explorers through accessible, real-world scientific content.
NASA’s Commitment to STEM Education
The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) serves as the largest organization in the world committed to promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. Its annual conference is a premier event for K-12 and college-level educators to connect, share best practices, and discover new resources. NASA’s consistent and prominent presence at this event reflects a cornerstone of its mission: to inspire and engage the public, particularly students and educators, in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Through partnerships with educational institutions and direct outreach programs, NASA aims to translate complex scientific data and groundbreaking discoveries into tangible, classroom-ready materials. This includes fostering inquiry-based learning, providing access to real-time data, and developing curricula that align with national science standards, thereby cultivating critical thinking and scientific reasoning skills among students nationwide. The agency’s educational strategy is vital for building a diverse and skilled future workforce capable of addressing global challenges and continuing humanity’s journey of exploration.
The Hyperwall: A Gateway to Discovery
At the heart of NASA’s NSTA presence is the Hyperwall, an impressive multi-screen display system designed to showcase high-resolution scientific visualizations, satellite imagery, and complex data sets in an immersive format. Far more than a simple presentation screen, the Hyperwall allows NASA scientists to dynamically interact with vast amounts of data, illustrating intricate scientific phenomena, mission operations, and research findings in a visually compelling manner. This technology transforms abstract concepts into observable realities, making topics like climate change, planetary geology, and astrophysics more understandable and engaging for a diverse audience. For educators, the Hyperwall demonstrations offer not only content but also pedagogical inspiration, demonstrating innovative ways to present scientific information and foster student engagement through visual learning and data interpretation. The interactive nature of these sessions is particularly effective in demonstrating how science is conducted, from data collection by satellites and telescopes to its analysis and interpretation by experts.
Thursday, April 16: A Day of Earth, Space, and Educational Innovation
The Hyperwall schedule kicks off on Thursday, April 16, with a robust lineup of presentations designed to equip educators with cutting-edge resources and insights directly from NASA experts.
At 11:00 AM, Christina Milotte will present "Teaching Space Weather in the Artemis Mission Era." This session is particularly timely given NASA’s ambitious Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable presence there, paving the way for human missions to Mars. Space weather, driven by solar activity such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections, poses significant risks to astronauts, spacecraft, and even Earth-based technologies. Understanding and mitigating these risks is paramount for long-duration space missions. Milotte’s presentation will delve into the science of space weather, its impacts, and how educators can integrate these critical concepts into their curricula, connecting classroom learning directly to current human spaceflight endeavors. This not only highlights the practical applications of physics and astronomy but also underscores the interdisciplinary nature of space exploration and the need for robust scientific understanding in ensuring astronaut safety.
Following this, at 11:15 AM, Tina Harte Ballinger will introduce "5E StoryMaps using NASA Resources." The 5E instructional model—Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate—is a widely recognized framework for inquiry-based learning in science education. StoryMaps, an innovative platform, combines interactive maps, multimedia content, and narrative text to create compelling digital stories. Ballinger’s session will demonstrate how educators can leverage NASA’s extensive repository of data, imagery, and scientific narratives to construct engaging 5E StoryMaps, providing students with immersive experiences that foster deep understanding and critical thinking across various scientific disciplines. This approach allows students to act as scientific investigators, analyzing real-world data to draw their own conclusions.
Amy Padolf will present "Growing Beyond Earth: A Partnership Between Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden & NASA" at 11:30 AM and again at 1:30 PM on Friday. This collaboration focuses on researching potential food crops for long-duration space missions. As humanity plans for extended stays on the Moon and missions to Mars, developing sustainable food systems is crucial. The program engages students in authentic plant science research, with classrooms across the nation conducting experiments to determine which plants are most suitable for growth in space environments. Padolf’s presentation will detail the program’s methodology, its scientific contributions, and how educators can involve their students in this unique citizen science initiative, connecting botany and agriculture directly to the future of space exploration. This initiative exemplifies how ground-based research can directly inform future space missions.
At 11:45 AM and later at 3:45 PM, Sarah Kirn will highlight "Learn Science by Doing Science: Real NASA Research That Your Class Can Do Today." This session emphasizes the power of inquiry-based learning and citizen science. NASA offers numerous programs that allow students and the public to contribute to real scientific research, from classifying galaxies (Galaxy Zoo) to monitoring environmental changes (GLOBE Observer). Kirn will showcase various accessible projects and resources that empower students to participate directly in scientific discovery, fostering a deeper understanding of the scientific process and the value of data collection and analysis. Such programs not only provide valuable data for NASA scientists but also democratize scientific research, making it accessible to a broader audience.
Jason Craig will present "Unlock NASA’s Eyes and Inspire the Scientists of Tomorrow" at 12:00 PM and again at 2:30 PM. "NASA’s Eyes" is a suite of free, immersive 3D visualization tools that allow users to explore Earth, its climate, the solar system, and exoplanets with unprecedented detail. From tracking active missions to observing planetary phenomena, these tools offer a dynamic way to visualize complex scientific data. Craig’s session will guide educators on how to effectively integrate NASA’s Eyes into their teaching, transforming abstract concepts into tangible, interactive experiences that captivate students and ignite their passion for space science and exploration. The ability to manipulate and observe celestial bodies in a virtual 3D environment significantly enhances spatial reasoning and comprehension.
Angela Rizzi will present "Access NASA Earth Data for your Class" at 12:15 PM and a more advanced session, "Differentiated NASA Earth Data Analysis and Interpretation," at 1:30 PM. NASA operates a vast constellation of Earth-observing satellites that continuously collect critical data on our planet’s climate, ecosystems, and natural processes. These sessions will guide educators through the wealth of publicly available NASA Earth data, demonstrating platforms and tools that allow students to access, visualize, and analyze real scientific data. Rizzi will show how this data can be used to investigate topics like sea level rise, deforestation, and atmospheric changes, promoting data literacy and an understanding of Earth as an interconnected system. The differentiated session will cater to various skill levels, ensuring that all educators can find relevant resources for their classrooms.
George Chang will explore "Solar System Treks" at 12:30 PM and again at 2:15 PM. The NASA Solar System Treks provide interactive, web-based 3D maps and tools for exploring various celestial bodies, including the Moon, Mars, and asteroids. These platforms allow users to virtually navigate planetary surfaces, view high-resolution imagery, and access scientific data collected by NASA missions. Chang’s presentation will illustrate how these tools can be used to create engaging virtual field trips, conduct simulated mission planning, and facilitate comparative planetology studies in the classroom, bringing the wonders of the solar system directly to students. The interactive nature of these tools allows students to explore at their own pace and delve into areas of personal interest.
A highlight of Thursday’s schedule will be Erika Podest’s presentation, "Earth in Motion: How the NISAR Satellite Mission will Transform Our View of the Planet," at 12:45 PM, 2:00 PM, and 3:00 PM. The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission, a joint venture between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is a groundbreaking Earth-observing satellite scheduled for launch. NISAR will provide an unprecedented view of Earth’s changing land and ice surfaces, measuring subtle changes in the planet’s surface with extreme precision. Podest will explain how NISAR’s data will revolutionize our understanding of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, ice sheet dynamics, and ecosystem disturbances, offering critical insights for disaster preparedness, climate change research, and resource management. The mission’s global, frequent, and consistent observations will be invaluable for studying dynamic Earth processes.
Rounding out some of Thursday’s cutting-edge presentations, Begoña Vila will discuss the "Roman Space Telescope and Webb Space Telescope" at 1:45 PM. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), launched in December 2021, has already revolutionized astronomy with its unparalleled infrared capabilities, peering back to the early universe and revealing unprecedented details of exoplanet atmospheres. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, set for launch in the mid-2020s, will complement Webb with its enormous field of view, designed to explore dark energy, map the distribution of dark matter, and discover thousands of exoplanets. Vila’s session will provide updates on Webb’s discoveries and capabilities while introducing the transformative potential of the Roman Space Telescope, showcasing how these advanced observatories are expanding our understanding of the cosmos. The synergy between these two telescopes will provide a holistic view of the universe, from its origins to the search for life beyond Earth.
Friday, April 17: Expanding Horizons and Community Engagement
Friday’s Hyperwall agenda continues to offer diverse and impactful sessions, building on the previous day’s themes and introducing new opportunities for engagement.
Sarah Marcotte will open Friday’s sessions at 11:00 AM, and again at 2:15 PM, with a presentation on the "NASA Solar System Ambassador Program." This nationwide public engagement program consists of volunteers who share NASA’s space exploration missions and discoveries with their local communities. Ambassadors are trained by NASA scientists and engineers, providing them with the knowledge and resources to conduct educational events. Marcotte’s session will detail the program’s structure, its impact on public outreach, and how interested individuals can become Solar System Ambassadors, fostering a grassroots network of space advocates. This program is critical for bridging the gap between scientific research and public understanding, making complex topics accessible and exciting for people of all ages.
Amy Padolf will repeat her "Growing Beyond Earth: A Partnership Between Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden & NASA" presentation at 11:15 AM and 1:30 PM, reiterating the importance of space agriculture research and citizen science.
Angela Rizzi will again present "Access NASA Earth Data for your Class" at 11:30 AM, ensuring that more educators have the opportunity to learn about leveraging NASA’s extensive Earth observation data in their classrooms.
Begoña Vila will reprise her discussion on the "Roman Space Telescope and Webb Space Telescope" at 11:45 AM and 2:00 PM, providing another chance for attendees to learn about these revolutionary astronomical instruments and their profound implications for astrophysics and cosmology.
Sarah Kirn’s "Learn Science by Doing Science: Real NASA Research That Your Class Can Do Today" will be repeated at 12:00 PM and 1:45 PM, continuing to emphasize the value of hands-on, authentic scientific engagement for students.
Christina Milotte will present "Teaching Space Weather in the Artemis Mission Era" at 12:15 PM, reinforcing the critical link between fundamental space science education and the safety and success of future human spaceflight missions.
Finally, Tina Harte Ballinger will again demonstrate "5E StoryMaps using NASA Resources" at 12:30 PM, offering further insights into how interactive digital storytelling can transform science education within the proven 5E instructional model.
Empowering Educators and Inspiring Future Generations
NASA’s extensive presence at the NSTA Hyperwall, with over 20 distinct presentations across two days, signifies the agency’s deep-seated commitment to education and public engagement. By providing direct access to its scientists, cutting-edge research, and robust educational tools, NASA aims to empower educators with the resources and confidence needed to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers. The presentations cover a wide spectrum of scientific disciplines—from Earth’s climate and ecosystems to the farthest reaches of the cosmos—demonstrating the breadth of NASA’s mission.
The integration of real-world data, citizen science opportunities, and immersive visualization tools like the Hyperwall and NASA’s Eyes ensures that classroom learning extends beyond textbooks, connecting students directly to ongoing scientific discovery. These initiatives are crucial for cultivating scientific literacy, critical thinking skills, and a fundamental understanding of how science addresses global challenges and expands human knowledge. The resources shared at NSTA will not only enrich science curricula but also foster a sense of wonder and curiosity about our planet and the universe, laying the groundwork for a scientifically informed populace and a robust STEM workforce for decades to come.
Through these concerted efforts, NASA and its educational partners are not just sharing science; they are actively shaping the future of scientific inquiry and human exploration, one classroom and one inspired student at a time. The NSTA conference in 2026 will serve as a vital nexus for this educational mission, bridging the gap between groundbreaking research and the eager minds poised to inherit and advance humanity’s scientific legacy.
