One of the key elements in AGU’s strategic plan includes prioritizing efforts to “promote and exemplify an inclusive scientific culture.” Part of that work involves providing unique opportunities for students to participate in solution-driven science opportunities. This proposed session will highlight a community of facilitators, informal and formal educators, and leaders who work with NASA mission-driven Earth and space science content and who leverage partnerships with subject matter experts to create those unique experiences for learners in their communities. NASA’s ASTRO CAMP® Collaborative Program (ACCP) was built on a 29 year history of engaging with youth and educators in innovative ways that leverage NASA mission aligned resources to inspire students toward an interest in STEM and NASA-related careers. Through a continuation of collaborating efforts with the NASA Science Mission Directorate Science Activation program, the NASA Office of STEM Engagement, and in the wake of a broad shift to virtual learning as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, ACCP has expanded its impact to an increasingly diverse range and number of students across the U.S. and in Mexico to provide a unique portfolio of NASA resources that capture applied Earth and space content including heliophysics, planetary science, ocean science and geophysics.

The ACCP program aims to address challenges surrounding equitable access to STEM learning by using a community-driven model that is ultimately led by members, leaders, and educators (both informal and formal) from unique communities who have participated in ACCP training and adapted resources to use with their learners. This model allows ACCP to engage with learners and provide ongoing support to help each community sustain their work in NASA-aligned STEM engagement activities that start from within the communities themselves. ACCP fosters long term engagement among the ACCP collaborator network by hosting regular ‘facilitator tag-ups,’ where educators and community leaders can share lessons learned, best practices, and troubleshoot.

This session will highlight the work of informal and formal educators, facilitators and leaders who are part of the ACCP network and have found innovative ways to adapt NASA science resources for use within their communities. Speakers may address the impact of COVID-19 and shift to virtual learning on their programming, the benefit of adapting mission-aligned STEM content for use in their communities, and experiences they’ve had working with other educators across the network.