NASA will award approximately $3.7 million to 17 museums and science centers, including the San Diego Air & Space Museum as part of an initiative to boost STEM excitement.

The money is directed toward projects that inspire students to engage in science, technology, engineering and math. An additional aim is to engage students from underserved communities in a variety of STEM opportunities, including exhibits, mentorship, educational content and hands-on activities.

The San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park is one of 13 across the country to share $510,000 in Community Anchor Award funds. The museum’s project is called “Imagine the Future of Space.”

Specifically, the San Diego Air & Space Museum will help bridge the school to career gap by providing hands-on activities in a STEM festival style program that mirrors careers at NASA. Mission Control, the Museum’s mobile classroom, will be visiting schools and libraries in Chula Vista, San Diego and San Ysidro to inspire the next generation to dream big and pursue STEM in the future. The Museum is excited to partner with the community to serve low income communities throughout San Diego County.

“These organizations bring the excitement of STEM and spaceflight to students where they are, helping us inspire … future explorers and innovators,” said Torry Johnson, deputy associate administrator of STEM Engagement Programs at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “These awards are a real catalyst for partnerships that connect STEM education and NASA’s missions to communities across the nation.”

In addition to the TEAM II Community Anchor Awards, projects are being funded via NASA’s Teams Engaging Affiliated Museums and Informal Institutions program as part of the Next Generation STEM project, which supports students from kindergarten to grade 12.

Next Gen STEM is a project within NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement, which develops unique resources and experiences to spark student interest in STEM and build a skilled and diverse next generation workforce.