Students and teachers in the 21st Century Community Learning Center (21stCCLC) after-school
programs at Chapel Hill Middle and Factory Shoals Middle will get a chance to work with NASA scientists while engaging in hands-on STEM activities as part of the NASA STEM Challenge.
Chapel Hill and Factory Shoals middle schools were among 10 sites statewide that were recently selected by the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) to participate in the challenge. This initiative is part of a national collaboration between NASA and the U.S. Department of Education, designed to equip after-school programs with the resources and opportunities needed to immerse students in the excitement of space exploration and STEM learning.
Douglas County Schools Superintendent Trent North said the opportunity is a testament to the district’s commitment to innovative learning.
“We are proud that Chapel Hill and Factory Shoals middle schools were selected for this incredible program,” North said. “Partnering with NASA will inspire our students to think beyond the classroom and explore the possibilities of STEM careers. This hands-on experience will not only enhance their learning but also ignite a passion for discovery and innovation.”
Mitzi Teal is the Executive Director of Communities In Schools of Douglas County and the Project Director for the Nita M. Lowry 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant After School Program.
Teal said teams of three teachers from CHMS and FSMS attended a special two-day training last week, working with NASA scientists and GaDOE staff members.
In the coming weeks, students at both schools will participate in STEM experiments, including the 'Lunar Water,' 'Build, Launch, Recover,' and 'Astro Socks' challenges.
Students will choose their favorite challenge and present their project to GaDOE later this spring.
Throughout the experiments, CHMS and FSMS students and teachers will have additional opportunities to engage with NASA scientists.
“Programs across the U.S. will be participating, and we are excited about our teachers and students having the opportunity to interact with NASA staff members,” Teal said.