NDSGC Joins Forces for 2025 IDEAS Educator Workshop in Alaska

NDSGC Joins Forces for 2025 IDEAS Educator Workshop in Alaska

This summer, a team of passionate educators, scientists, and space enthusiasts gathered under Alaska’s midnight sun for a unique experience that blended cutting-edge STEM content with hands-on, classroom-ready activities. From July 7–10, 2025, the annual IDEAS Educator Professional Development Workshop brought together pre-service, in-service, and informal educators from across the country to learn new ways to inspire the next generation of space explorers.

Hosted at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, the 2025 IDEAS Workshop marked another successful year of collaboration between the North Dakota, South Carolina, and North Carolina Space Grant Consortia. Funded by NASA’s National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, IDEAS—short for Innovative Differentiated Exploration Activities in Space Science—is more than just an acronym; it’s a mission to empower educators with dynamic teaching strategies grounded in real NASA science.

Reimagining STEM Education, the NASA Way

The goal? Equip educators with the tools, confidence, and resources to bring space science into any classroom—whether it’s a kindergarten class learning about the moon, or high schoolers prototyping a Mars habitat.

Participants explored a wide range of space science content areas, including human spaceflight, heliophysics, astronomy, and planetary science. The sessions weren’t just sit-and-listen lectures—they were built around problem-based learning, multi-modal teaching strategies, and experiential learning, all designed to spark creativity and promote critical thinking.

This year’s workshop put a strong emphasis on Universal Design for Learning (UDL), helping educators adapt NASA content to support students, regardless of learning style. The workshop also provided time for meaningful collaboration—fostering a national network of STEM educators who share a passion for space and science education.

Hands-On Activities that Spark Curiosity

Throughout the four-day event, educators had the opportunity to get their hands dirty (sometimes literally!) with activities they can replicate back home into their classrooms:

• Play-Doh Circuits led by Dr. Denise Thorsen introduced basic electronics through tactile learning—no batteries required.

• Aurora and Electromagnetic Waves, presented by Dogacan Su Ozturk, explored the colorful science behind the Northern Lights, linking space weather with real-world impact.

• Robotic Lunar Habitat Building, designed by Nima Farzadnia, challenged participants to construct ISRU (In-Situ Resource Utilization) bases on the Moon using limited materials and robotic tools.

• Plant Growth Chambers, facilitated by Betty Jo Moore, demonstrated how to grow sustainable food systems in space and on Earth.

• And the ever-popular Dragonfly Mission activity, hosted by Troy Cline, gave educators a deep dive into NASA’s future mission to Saturn’s moon Titan—complete with drone simulations and planetary exploration planning.

Whether it was building circuits out of Play-Doh or simulating robotic assembly on the lunar surface, every activity was backed by authentic NASA content and aligned with national science standards.

Building Community Through STEM

Behind the scenes, the workshop was powered by an all-star team of facilitators from each Space Grant Consortium: Dr. Cass Runyon (SCSGC), Jobi Cook (NCSGC), Dr. Caitlin Milera and Laurie Salander (NDSGC), and Dr. Denise Thorsen (AKSGC), who also served as this year’s host in Alaska. Their energy, expertise, and creativity helped shape each session into an unforgettable experience.

And of course, being in Alaska offered more than just incredible science—it provided an unforgettable setting for outdoor exploration, informal networking, and a chance to experience the natural wonders of the Far North.

Looking Ahead

As we look to the future of education in space science, workshops like IDEAS ensure that educators remain on the frontlines of innovation. Participants left with more than just new lesson plans—they returned home with new collaborators, new inspiration, and a renewed commitment to STEM education.

Stay tuned for details about the next IDEAS Workshop and upcoming professional development opportunities! Whether you’re an educator, student, or space enthusiast, opportunities to engage with NASA content and Space Grant activities are closer than you think.

Capturing the IDEAS Experience…

A team patch.
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Want to learn more about North Dakota Space Grant’s educator programs or future workshops like IDEAS? Visit ndspacegrant.org for upcoming events and resources!