John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences

News and information from the UND John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences.

The NDSGC Attends SEEC

NDSGC’s Inspiring Experience at SEEC 2025!

The North Dakota Space Grant Consortium (NDSGC) had an unforgettable experience at the Space Exploration Educators Conference (SEEC) at Space Center Houston! This annual event brings together passionate educators, STEM professionals, and space enthusiasts to explore innovative ways to inspire the next generation of explorers.

Our STEM Ambassadors and leadership team had the privilege of engaging in hands-on learning, discovering cutting-edge lesson plans, and networking with dedicated educators from across the country. SEEC provided us with an incredible opportunity to sit in on insightful panels featuring astronauts and space industry experts, experience an inspiring keynote on the James Webb Space Telescope Mission, and participate in dynamic educational breakout sessions.

Beyond the sessions, we formed valuable connections with fellow educators who share our passion for STEM, space, and fostering engaging learning environments for students. The knowledge, resources, and inspiration we gained at SEEC will directly impact our outreach efforts, helping us bring exciting, real-world space science into classrooms and programs across North Dakota.

We left SEEC with fresh ideas, renewed enthusiasm, and an even greater appreciation for the educators who work tirelessly to shape the future of space exploration. Thank you to everyone who made this experience so impactful—we can’t wait to apply what we’ve learned and continue sharing the wonders of STEM with our communities! Check out our photos below!

Were you at SEEC this year? We’d love to connect and hear about your experience!

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NDSGC STEM Ambassador Team posing in front of the Boeing aircraft carrying the space shuttle.
NDSGC STEM Ambassador Group Photo.
Cardboard and plastic model of a Blue Origin space shuttle.
Blue H20 Jet Propulsion Experiment with the Blue Origin team.
Two females posing with their space designs.
STEM Ambassador (Hailey Olson) and Associate Director (Tori McIntosh) showcasing their PACE designs.
Group of women posing for a photo on the Boeing aircraft carrying the space shuttle.
STEM Ambassadors gathering for a group photo at Independence Plaza.
Three women posing in front of MQ-9 Reaper.
STEM Ambassadors (Amanda Curatti, Hailey Olson, and Sarah Frankson) posing in front of multiple MQ-9 Reapers before embarking on their Civil Air Patrol (CAP) flight over Ellington Field.
Five members of the NDSGC posing in front of a space shuttle.
STEM Ambassadors (Hailey Olson, Joshua Lakoduk-Ernst, Kate Kesler, Laurie Salander, and Thomas Iken) posing for a photo before attending the SEEC Banquet Dinner!
Two women crafting and designing a rocket for "Rockets to the Rescue"
STEM Ambassadors (Amanda Curatti and Hailey Olson) taking part in breakout activities!
Science materials being used to determine which everyday substances create the best rocket fuel.
Discovering the ultimate rocket fuel using common household materials at the ‘Dry Ice Rockets’ event!