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NASA Network of States


NASA Network of States is a collaborative activity among NASA’s centers, including the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. As described on the NASA website: "Each center has a wealth of formal education partners, including school districts serving populations underrepresented in STEM, higher education institutions, and informal education organizations and consortiums. Network of States will provide systemic, long-term support for NASA centers and partners by building strong regional networks for partner-delivered NASA educator professional development. Using the systemic structural design of a connected teaching model, NASA centers and partners will build a partnership network that aligns with national standards; integrated STEM content; learning theories that allow varied solutions in conceptual understanding for all students; and effective use of technology with outcomes to ensure that teachers have sufficient and necessary resources to enhance teaching practice." Learn more about NASA Network of States partners and activities online.

NASA Network of States - Texas Girls Collaborative Project Workshops

TxGCP has several educators trained on the NASA Network of States curriculum who can deliver hands-on educator workshops for your organization, school and/or program.

NASA Network of States Curriculum is applicable for Science Teachers, Informal Educators and Out of School Time providers (primarily elementary school – but, scalable to middle and high school). Hands-on and interactive workshops may be structured in 2, 4 and 8 hour sessions depending on interest and need.

During a workshop, a NASA Network of States – Texas Girls Collaborative Project Trainer will educate you how to use NASA resources and mission-aligned hands-on activities during your school year or throughout your program. The curriculum goes beyond just Earth and space. These resources will take your students and lesson planning out of this world. Leave the workshop with a clear idea how to integrate this material with current lesson plans and find alternatives to those you struggle to make interesting.  Additional material can be covered in 4 and 8 hour workshops on strategies to keep the girls and other under represented groups engaged in your STEM classroom.

The curriculum has been aligned to Girl Scouts badges and soon will be aligned to the TEKS.

NASA Network of States – Texas Girls Collaborative Project Trainers:

  • Kate Woodward Young has been teaching STEM education and collaboration focused professional development to teachers and out of school time providers since 1998 across the state of Texas with the Texas Afterschool Association and Travis County Afterschool Networks, Oklahoma Afterschool Network, National Afterschool Association, Girl Scouts of Central Texas and Learning Links.  Her 19 years of hands on, project based learning style started with and continues to support giving girls “The Edge” in school and in life.
  • Barbara Croom has been coordinating experiential science and nature field trips and outreach programs for Central Texas Schools since 2007. She has applied the same passion she has for Science and Nature Field Trip Programs to Homeschool Programs, Scouting Programs and After School Programs. Barbara taught science at Travis High School in Austin before leaving to work for the City of Austin with the Austin Nature & Science Center.
  • Mindy Harrel is an elementary science teacher at Harmony School of Innovation - Euless who loops between 4th and 5th grade. She has a Masters Degree in Science Education and is in her 4th year as a classroom teacher. Her Girl Scout experience includes as a young girl achieving a bronze award and serving as an Assistant Girl Scout Leader and Cookie Mom. She loves all things related to science and seeks to help girls, especially under served populations, get excited about STEM and leads them to enjoy their STEM education and ultimate careers in the STEM field. 
  • Sylvia Lozano-Valle, Camino Real Elementary, Hays CISD
  • Samantha Schleder, Harmony Science Academy - Houston
  • Hillary St. John is a program coordinator for the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, focusing on programming for 4-8 grade Girl Scouts. She loves science, engineering and astronomy, and loves seeing just how many of her Girl Scouts love science too! She feels very fortunate to have access to bring STEM programs to life for her girls at the STEM Center of Excellence.