Science Blast

Hands on STEM/STEAM learning event for 5th Grade Students with teachers and professionals led by trained university, college and high school student mentors on a university campus.

Science Blast will:

  • Expose NASA Science Missions exploration of our solar system with students

  • Inspire students to pursue a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) or Arts (STEAM)

  • Learn how science questioning helps to determine space mission direction

  • Link science & engineering through thematic space science activities by hands-on experiments

  • College and university students serve as space science mentors at NSSD and other local events as space science activity coordinators

  • Middle school students experience a university campus setting

  • Give students the confidence to say, "If I stay in school, I can become a scientist or an engineer."

Who are the mentors:  

  • College and University Students as lead mentors paired with High School Student junior mentors

  • Student mentors champion a space science activity and direct their younger participants through the scientific and/or engineering process. The day’s event culminates with the younger student participants sharing their final project related to that year’s theme and built upon the learned experiences from the day’s event.

Continuation of STEM/STEAM during year:

  • School District Teachers attend a Teacher Training workshop before the student event

  • Teachers will learn similar hand-on activities and will be provided with NASA educational products that can used to supplement STEM/STEAM units throughout the year in the classrooms

To become a mentor, please see our Science Blast Mentor page.

Keynote Speakers:

  • Leaders in STEM/STEAM careers such as Astronaut José Hernández, NASA Scientists and Engineers

  • To become a keynote speaker, please Contact Us.

Last Year’s Event Completed:

  • Friday, March 31, 2023 at the University of the Pacific

  • For any event information, contact Jerry Ruiz at jruiz1452@sbcglobal.net

* Note, due to limited funding, this program is currently available to a limited number of schools in San Joaquin County and to students attending the Astronaut José Hernández Academy.