Funding Opportunities for K-12 Communities

NASA CTSGC offers funding to K-12 students/teachers, including workshops for aeronautics and aerospace and STEM-related activities.

Current Funding Opportunities for K-12 Educators:

Plant the Moon/Plant Mars Challenge:

The Plant The Moon Challenge is a global science experiment, learning activity, and inspirational project-based-learning challenge to see who can grow the best crops using lunar regolith simulant. As we venture deeper into space, what will it take to sustain fresh food supply hundreds of thousands (or millions) of miles from Earth? Participants in the Plant the Moon Challenge will have the opportunity to apply design thinking to the solution to this question with simulated lunar or Martian regolith (space dirt!).

Applications for the Spring 2025 program will accepted through Nov.26, 2024! Check our PTMC page for details and application link.

Professional Development Scholarships:

K-12 Educators are invited to apply to CT Space Grant for scholarships to attend STEM Professional Development programs. If you are applying to STEM-related PD programs and would like to explore funding to support registration or other expenses, we invite you to apply for funding online.

Field Trip Scholarships:

Applications for Field Trip Scholarships are being accepted from CT K-12 Educators for field trips scheduled to any of the following locations:

Museums:	Planetariums:
New England Air Museum, Windsor Locks Connecticut Science Center, Hartford SHU Discovery Museum, Bridgeport	Copernican Planetarium and Observatory, Central CT State University, New Britain Robert K. Wickware Planetarium, Eastern CT State University, Willimantic Van Vleck Observatory, Wesleyan University, Middletown Treworgy Planetarium at Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic Mahan Planetarium, Wallingford

Funds from Field Trip Scholarship awards can be used for program or transportation costs for STEM-themed field trips. A report must be provided to CTSGC from awardee following completion of the field trip. A report link will be sent to the email address provided and must be completed promptly following the trip.

Some Past K-12 Funded Projects:

Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP) activities at Annie Fisher STEM Magnet School (Hartford) and East Lyme Middle School (East Lyme)
Aerospace Adventures: after school program held at Gales Ferry / Juliet Long School (Ledyard)
Space Day activities: Doolittle Elementary School (Cheshire) and Rogers Park Middle School (Danbury)
Robotics Club: Manchester Public Schools and Shepaug Valley School
Solar Solidarity Project: Carmen Arace Intermediate School (Bloomfield)

Examples of Possible Fundable Projects

Presentation at school from expert in fields of aeronautics/aerospace and/or STEM
Create a district-wide design contest in a STEM field
Supplies to begin a robotics team in a high school
Funds to begin an InventionX club

Apply for Funding

Complete a short NASA CTSGC K-12 Grant Application
Prepare an Appendix A: Budget worksheet to be attached to your application
Provide a letter of support on letterhead from one of the following individuals: department chair, principal, or superintendent to be uploaded with your application

Reporting

Once the project is complete, a brief report must be submitted. All necessary application and reporting forms will be sent to the awardee via email upon completion of the event/program.