Three Strategies. One Purpose. Lasting Impact.
STEM Connect empowered learners of all ages through three core strategies:
STEM Book Delivery: Opening Minds Through Story
We delivered exciting, high-interest STEM books to 92 high-need elementary schools—offering students access to stories of discovery, innovation, and space exploration they might not otherwise encounter. These books supported early literacy and sparked curiosity in communities often overlooked by traditional enrichment efforts. Teachers and librarians reported a surge in engagement, as students saw new possibilities in the pages of science stories.
STEM Connect Saturdays: Hands-On, Minds-On Learning
We hosted nine large-scale STEM Connect Saturday events—free and open to the public—that welcomed thousands of students and families. These vibrant, interactive experiences connected communities with NASA centers, local school divisions, universities, healthcare providers, and STEM industry leaders. From robotics and drones to biomedical simulations and virtual reality, each event made STEM personal, exciting, and accessible—especially for those who had never experienced it before. These events helped redefine what a STEM career looks like and created a bridge between inspiration and opportunity.
Classroom and Teacher Support: Learning That Lasts
We developed a comprehensive suite of classroom resources centered on the book Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly. Aligned with Virginia Standards of Learning and NASA’s educational framework, these resources included hands-on activities, lesson plans, and professional development for educators. The result? More confident teachers, more inspired students, and stronger connections between STEM, history, and real-world relevance.
Why Community Engagement Matters
Community events were intentionally designed to connect students and families with real STEM professionals—not only to excite learners, but to broaden their understanding of the many pathways that STEM careers can take. These approachable, informal learning experiences break down barriers to access and create lasting impressions. When students meet engineers, healthcare workers, researchers, or NASA scientists in their own neighborhoods, they begin to imagine themselves in those roles too.
Inspiring Lifelong Learning. Building Virginia’s Workforce.
STEM Connect is more than a program—it’s an investment in Virginia’s future. By embedding STEM literacy in communities and offering high-impact engagement outside the classroom, we’re cultivating lifelong learners, strengthening career awareness, and supporting workforce development. These efforts help ensure Virginia maintains a strong, diverse talent pipeline ready to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving STEM economy.
Through visionary leadership, collaborative partnerships, and a commitment to equity, the Virginia Air & Space Science Center is proud to play a leading role in transforming education—and communities—across the Commonwealth.
STEM Starts Here. And It Starts With Access.
We’re proud of the thousands of students, families, and educators we’ve reached—and even more proud of the curiosity, confidence, and ambition this initiative has ignited. STEM Connect proves what’s possible when we meet learners where they are, connect them with opportunity, and empower them to see themselves in the story of innovation.