One month left for teachers to apply to Liftoff Summer Institute 2026!
Miller, Celena Y
One month left for teachers to apply to Liftoff Summer Institute 2026!
The University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Space Research is bring Liftoff Institute to educators nationwide. Application deadline is December 12, 2025!
Please share the program announcement below with STEM Educators in your state, including Science, Math, Engineering, Technology, and Pre-Service Teachers! Thank you for your assistance and continued support! Should you have questions or need additional information, please let me know.
CELENA MILLER | Project Manager
The University of Texas at Austin | Center for Space Research
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PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT
LiftOff Summer Institute is a week-long aerospace workshop, emphasizing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning experiences by incorporating a space science theme supported by NASA missions. Teacher participants are provided with information and experiences through speakers, hands-on activities and field investigations that promote space science and enrichment activities for themselves and others.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
NASA and its partners are working toward a sustained human presence on the Moon and preparing for future crewed missions to Mars. The innovations driving these efforts are transforming science, technology, and life on Earth.
The theme of this year’s LiftOff Educator Institute is Moon to Mars: A New Era of Discovery. The program will focus on how NASA, commercial space companies, and research institutions are working together to shape the future of deep space exploration.
Educators will hear directly from the scientists, engineers, and mission leaders advancing spaceflight technology and developing commercial platforms in Low Earth Orbit.
We will explore:
- The technologies needed to build and maintain a long-term presence on the Moon
- How research in Low Earth Orbit, including the ISS, supports human health and prepares us for deep space missions
- The role of commercial partners in accelerating innovation and expanding access to space
- How discoveries in space lead to real-world benefits, from engineering for deep space to medical advances
Throughout the week, participants will:
- Take part in interactive activities designed to support standards-based projects and meaningful classroom research
- Gain classroom-ready resources that make complex topics more accessible for students
- Gain a clear understanding of what the space industry looks like today, where it’s headed, and the opportunities it holds for your students
- Connect with a professional network of STEM educators and space professionals
LiftOff is a community of educators who collaborate, share ideas, and build relationships that continue long after the program ends. Join us as we explore what it takes to reach the Moon, travel to Mars, and prepare the next generation for this new era of discovery.
Join us for LiftOff 2026: Moon to Mars, June 22-26, 2026.
PROGRAM FEATURES:
- Presentations from NASA and commercial space professionals
- Hands-on, standards-aligned STEM activities for the classroom
- Career connections and insight into current space research and emerging technologies
- Collaborative sharing of classroom strategies and lessons
- Opportunities to engage directly with scientists and engineers conducting real space research
The deadline for receiving applications is December 12, 2025, for LiftOff 2026 and should be submitted through the online system: https://www.csr.utexas.edu/liftoff/
CELENA MILLER | Project Manager
The University of Texas at Austin | Center for Space Research
3925 W. Braker Lane, Suite 200
Austin, TX 78759
Phone: 512-232-6895
Email: cmi...@csr.utexas.edu
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