Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.

- Carl Sagan

Who We Are

The National Space Science & Technology Institute (NSSTI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation incorporated in 1997 “to engage and excite students, teachers, researchers, and the public in science and technology through the exploration and understanding of our environment and the Universe.” We develop and implement programs and activities that provide informal STEM education to students of all ages, especially those in demographics underrepresented in STEM higher education programs and career fields, to create a more scientifically literate public and to build a quality, internationally competitive U.S. technology workforce for the future.

Our Purposes:

  • Conducting informal Earth and space science education programs aimed at students, teachers and the public, through our Star Light Star Bright Observatory, Edge of Space Exploration program, and NSSTI’s Mobile Earth & Space Observatory
  • Conducting research and development in Earth and space science
  • Developing and operating Pikes Peak Observatory, an astronomical observatory on the summit of Pikes Peak

What We Do

The National Space Science & Technology Institute creates inquiry-based, hands-on informal earth and space science education and public outreach programs and activities that provide access to scientist-educators and scientific instrumentation which is rarely available to public school students or the general public to promote imagination, inquiry, and creative problem-solving. All of NSSTI's programs are space-centered, inquiry-based, and give learners (especially those from underserved populations) access to authentic scientific technology.

Current programs being offered and developed are:

  • Star Light--Star Bright Observatory
  • Edge of Space Exploration program
  • Mobile Earth & Space Observatory (MESO) [coming in the 2017-2018 school year]
  • Pikes Peak Observatory [planned for construction in 2020]

Mobile Earth & Space Observatory (MESO)

In 2017, NSSTI began deploying MESO, our mobile STEM laboratory/observatory designed to provide informal and formal education relating to Earth and space sciences. MESO is a “science center on wheels,” that engages and excites students, teachers, and the public with inquiry-based hands-on educational and research activities focused on solar activity, weather, climate, atmospheric and space sciences, renewable energy, scientific instrumentation and science methodology. MESO is typically operated with two scientist-educators. MESO’s August 2017 deployment to Sutton, NE, to conduct research during the total solar eclipse is depicted here. Additional deployments were made to public venues and schools throughout the 2017-2018 school year.

To learn more about the MESO project visit the project webpage at GoMESO.org .

CONTRIBUTE

Help us achieve our vision-- donate to the National Space Science & Technology Institute.

DONATE NOW!