Connecticut's Space Grant Consortium, CTSGC serves as a bridge between NASA, higher education, industry, and local communities, helping to strengthen the state's STEM workforce and expand access to opportunities that support exploration, discovery, and technological advancement.

 

About NASA CTSGC

The NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium (CTSGC) is part of NASA's National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, a federally funded network that supports STEM education, research, workforce development, and public engagement across the United States.

Through scholarships, fellowships, internships, research grants, educator programs, and outreach initiatives, CTSGC connects learners of all ages with NASA-inspired opportunities that foster curiosity, innovation, and lifelong engagement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

CTSGC works in partnership with 26 affiliated colleges and universities statewide, as well as industry leaders, schools, museums, nonprofit organizations, and community partners to inspire and prepare the next generation of scientists, engineers, educators, and innovators.

Space Grant consortia operate in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, creating pathways for students, educators, researchers, and communities to participate in NASA-related programs and activities. In Connecticut, CTSGC advances this mission by supporting STEM education, research, workforce development, and public engagement initiatives that strengthen Connecticut's STEM ecosystem while increasing awareness of NASA's missions, technologies, and exploration goals.

Our History

Established in 1991, CTSGC was created to expand participation in NASA-related research, education, and workforce development opportunities throughout Connecticut. The consortium was founded by Trinity College, the University of Connecticut, and the University of New Haven, with the University of Hartford serving as the lead institution.

Since its founding, CTSGC has grown into a statewide network of 26 affiliated colleges and universities, including 12 CT State Community College campuses and 14 four-year public and private institutions. Together, these partners work to advance STEM education, support NASA-relevant research, and prepare the next generation of scientists, engineers, educators, and innovators.

In addition to its higher education network, CTSGC collaborates with K-12 schools, museums, libraries, nonprofit organizations, and community partners across Connecticut to deliver meaningful STEM programming and public engagement opportunities. 

 

 

Our Mission

CTSGC is committed to advancing STEM education and workforce development by:

  • Inspiring STEM Careers
    Encouraging students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
  • Supporting Professional Development
    Serving as a model for innovative, STEM-focused educational and professional development opportunities.
  • Strengthening Connecticut's STEM Workforce
    Contributing to the growth of Connecticut's economy by supporting research, innovation, and the development of a highly skilled workforce.
  • Fostering Collaboration and Engagement
    Creating an environment where students, educators, researchers, industry partners, and community organizations work together to advance the Consortium's mission.

Consortium News

RockOn! 2022 Launch

The 2022 RockOn! teams from NASA CT Space Grant Consortium – one from University of Hartford and one from UCONN – had experiments launch on a sounding rocket from Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia in late June. One of the team members from the University of Hartford...

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Bridgeport is Going to the Moon!

It was an exciting Space Day to learn that the University of Bridgeport and the Hall Neighborhood House (Bridgeport) are going to the moon! Both of these CT Space Grant affiliates were selected to be part of the 213 worldwide teams for the NASA GLEE (Great Lunar...

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Community College Quadcopter Challenge Winner

The 2022 Community College Quadcopter Challenge has a winner! Teams representing Norwalk Community College, Naugatuck Valley Community College, Northwest Connecticut Community College, Quinnebaug Valley Community College and Tunxis Community College recently gathered...

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