Promoting Inclusivity in STEAM Through Diverse Entry Points for Participating in a Space Mission

Abstract:

The NASA Psyche mission will launch in mid-2022 to a metal-rich asteroid in the main asteroid belt. The mission includes an extensive student collaborations effort with opportunities for people of all backgrounds, ages, and interests to participate. Since fall 2017, the program has worked closely with more than 500 undergraduate students nationwide, as well as reached thousands of K-12 students and the public through free online courses, school tours and visits, and public engagement opportunities. Psyche Student Collaborations is co-managed by a team of undergraduate interns who gain experience that prepares them for careers in STEM, outreach and communications, and project management.

The annual Psyche Inspired virtual artist-in-residence program helps the mission reach new audiences by presenting eye-catching and thought-provoking art created by undergraduate students. Provided with access to mission team members and guidance on communicating technical concepts and crafting interpretive text, the participants produce works that are shared through virtual and physical outlets. Since 2017, almost 200 artworks have been created by 44 interns from 19 colleges and universities in 15 states. Following multiple years of internal evaluation, in 2020 the program was evaluated by an applied engineering capstone team whose recommendations will be implemented with the incoming cohort.

The Psyche Capstone Program engages senior undergraduate capstone teams in year-long projects that range from engineering to graphic design and promote interdisciplinary participation. To date, Psyche has sponsored 90 capstone teams from 16 majors at 8 universities and continues to grow, guided by annual cycles of empowerment evaluation (Fetterman, 2001).

Opportunities for the public include a series of free online courses centered on innovation and culminating in certificates, a public arts program, in-person and virtual school visits and tours, free online educational materials (in English and Spanish), and participation in public events, all with the goal of lowering the barrier of entry to engaging with the mission and promoting inclusivity in STEAM. Psyche’s portfolio of programs provides a sustainable and extendable model for other missions to implement to provide multiple pathways for engaging diverse participants.