The 2025 National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) National Conference was held in Philadelphia, 26–29 March. The annual event is the largest global gathering of science education techniques and technology created by – and for – educators.
In addition to extensive professional development and continuing education sessions and workshops, the conference featured a world-class expo hall, which included an AIAA booth where staff spoke with educators from around the world about the mission and purpose of AIAA.
Of particular interest to the teachers in attendance was the AIAA Foundation’s Classroom Grant program, which provides direct funding for STEM projects in K-12 classrooms. The Trailblazing STEM Educator Award also garnered considerable interest; the award is offered in partnership with Challenger Center who also had a presence in the expo hall.
AIAA has had a presence at the annual conference since launching Exploration Generation in partnership with Estes Education and NSTA. Exploration Generation is a series of classroom-ready lessons and resources to engage students in hands on learning around aerospace, engineering, and rocketry.
The conference keynote was given by NASA astronaut and educator Ricky Arnold who spoke about his lessons from space and why science education is critically important for the next generation of explorers. “I think NASA recognizes the future of the space program is in the classrooms of the people at this conference,” said Arnold.
Whether teaching specifically about aerospace, or science in general, AIAA offers free resources and no-cost membership for K-12 educators. After meeting a past recipient of the AIAA Foundation’s Classroom Grant program, one new teacher from Colorado said, “Wow, I am so glad to know about you guys because these resources are exactly what I’ve been looking for, for my students!”
