Heliophysics
Understanding the Sun, heliosphere, and planetary environments as a single connected system
Planetary Science
Exploring our solar system’s content, origin, evolution and the potential for life elsewhere
Vision
"To share the story, the science, and the adventure of NASA's scientific explorations of our home planet, the solar system, and the universe beyond, through stimulating and informative activities and experiences created by experts, delivered effectively and efficiently to learners of many backgrounds via proven conduits, thus providing a direct return on the public's investment in NASA's scientific research."
Partners in Science and Education
The NASA Science Mission Directorate’s unique contribution to STEM education and the public understanding of science lies in partnering mission scientists, educators, and communication specialists to engage students, educators, and the public in accessing and discovering their home planet and the universe beyond for themselves.
Placing education and public outreach within NASA science missions and research programs provides an effective mechanism to bring the expertise and enthusiasm of scientists into the classroom. Combining the respective expertise of scientists and educators yields resources and opportunities that are scientifically accurate, reflect the needs of the education community, and more deeply reflect the process of science. NASA Science Mission Directorate scientist-educator partnerships have been built over many years, and have resulted in a broad and deep national education and public outreach effort.
The effectiveness of the NASA Science Mission Directorate’s partnership-based approach is reflected in the collective and individual impact of its mission education and public outreach programs. Each mission applies its unique science to enhance STEM education, contribute to the public understanding of science, and provide a direct return on the public’s investment in NASA’s space-based scientific research.
Acknowledgements: Data cited for individual mission and grant programs described on this website were originally provided via the NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD) Education and Public Outreach (E/PO) Community Workspace (http://www.smdepo.org/page/5324).