MSGC Updates

Here you can find the the latest challenges, programs, internships, webinars, and more. Sign up to receive our monthly email updates!

Let the MSGC team know if you plan on participating by sending an email to mispacegrant@umich.edu.

AMS Webinar: Career Paths at the Intersection of Engineering and Atmospheric Science

Webinar Date: Tuesday, April 7, at Noon EDT

https://myumi.ch/9pw5g

This webinar from the American Meteorological Society provides an inside look as to where weather meets the built environment and how career paths can be bridged between engineering and atmospheric science. Our two speakers embody this multidisciplinary intersection and will speak to their experiences both in their educational and professional journeys.

 

Critical Minerals Undergraduate Scholarship Competition

Deadline: Wednesday, April 15, 2026 by 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time

https://orise.orau.gov/internships-fellowships/scholarships.html

Critical minerals are essential components in modern technologies, powering energy systems, advanced manufacturing, transportation, and national infrastructure. Ensuring reliable and secure access to these materials is essential to U.S. economic and energy security. The U.S. Department of Energy [energy.gov] (DOE) is committed to building resilient, affordable, and sustainable domestic supply chains by advancing innovative extraction, processing, and recycling technologies. This approach strengthens U.S. competitiveness while promoting safe, long-term solutions to meet current and future needs.

Virtual Career Connection: National Community College Month   Thursday, April 9, 2026 | 1:00 – 1:50 p.m. EDT  Where Community College Technical Education Meets Space Innovation   Students will hear directly from a NASA apprentice about how community college education can serve as a gateway to exciting careers in aerospace. This event is ideal for students interested in STEM, technical trades, engineering, and technology.   Registration Link: https://go.nasa.gov/460T7X5   Registration Deadline: March 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EDT

NASA L’SPACE Program – Summer 2026

Application Deadline: Sunday, April 12

Contact: LSPACE@asu.edu

https://www.lspace.asu.edu/our-programs

The NASA Lucy Student Pathway Accelerator and Competency Enabler (L’SPACE) Program is a free, online, interactive program for students interested in pursuing a career with NASA or other space organizations. L’SPACE consists of two 15-week academies: the Mission Concept Academy (MCA) and the NASA Proposal Evaluation Experience (NPWEE) Academy. Participants may attend one academy per semester.

MCA is designed to provide unique, hands-on learning and insight into the dynamic world of space exploration. Participants can expect to learn mission procedures and protocols from NASA and industry professionals as they collaborate with fellow team members to complete mission-related team projects.

In NPWEE, participants will learn how to innovate to improve or fill a gap for exploration needs, then as a team, learn how to write a selectable (fundable) proposal. This academy offers a single winning team a $10,000 start-up fund each semester.

Virtual Career Connection: National Apprenticeship Week

Registration Deadline: Tuesday, April 14

Event Date: Thursday, April 23, 1 p.m. EDT

https://myumi.ch/W68xD

Contact: hq-virtual-engagements@mail.nasa.gov

Join us for a virtual event celebrating National Apprenticeship Week by exploring this essential pathway to prepare highly skilled workers contributing to groundbreaking achievements in space exploration. This virtual career connection event will feature a NASA trade professional who will share insights into apprenticeships in aerospace and space exploration. During this interactive virtual broadcast, they will discuss the hands-on training and mentorship provided by apprenticeships and their potential pathway to building a rewarding career in aerospace.

Virtual Career Connection: Career Technical Education Event  

Tuesday, April 29, 2026 | 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET Career & Technical Exploration: Igniting Futures in STEM and Skilled Trades  

Join a virtual panel discussion featuring the technical workforce from NASA’s Langley Research Center. Students will hear directly from engineering technicians and industry professionals as they share insights into their careers, exciting pathways in engineering technology and skilled trades, and the essential skills that drive innovation in aerospace. This event is perfect for students interested in STEM, technical trades, engineering technology, robotics, manufacturing and fabrication, and skilled workforce careers.  

Registration Link: https://go.nasa.gov/40s4xQj  

Registration Deadline: April 21, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET 

Moon to Mars eXploration Systems and Habitation (M2M X-Hab) 2027 Academic Innovation Challenge

https://spacegrant.org/xhab/

Proposals Due Date: May 1, 2026

The Moon to Mars eXploration Systems and Habitation (M2M X-Hab) 2027 Academic Innovation Challenge is a university-level challenge designed to develop strategic partnerships and collaborations with universities. It has been organized to help bridge strategic knowledge gaps and increase knowledge in capabilities and technology risk reduction related to NASA’s vision and missions. The competition is intended to link with senior- and graduate-level design curricula that emphasize hands-on design, research, development, and manufacturing of functional prototypical subsystems that enable functionality for space habitats and deep space exploration missions. NASA will directly benefit from the challenge by sponsoring the development of innovative concepts and technologies from universities, which will result in novel ideas and solutions that could be applied to exploration.

The Air Force Science & Technology Fellowship Program

Applications Accepted on a Rolling Basis
https://myumi.ch/G2q1M

The Air Force Science and Technology Fellowship Program (AF STFP), funded by the United States Air Force, provides a platform for outstanding scientists and engineers to engage in vital research and development efforts. Through a competitive selection process, the program identifies exceptionally talented individuals at various career stages, from recent graduates to experienced researchers, offering them the opportunity to conduct self-directed research at Air Force facilities.

Summer Computing Camps for Middle School and High School Girls  – Eastern Michigan University

Bits & Bytes middle school camp: June 15 – 19

Now in its tenth year, “Bits & Bytes” is an all-day, week-long, summer computing camp for middle school girls. It introduces computing and technology from theoretical concepts to applied projects. Coding is introduced through educational software and robots with the support of student mentors. The Camp concludes with a hackathon and a career discovery event. It is staffed by the Women in Computer Science (WICS) club members at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) and led by a faculty member. No prior coding experience is necessary, we encourage anyone who is interested to join!

Terabytes AI high school bootcamp: July 6-8

Terabytes AI is a 3-day, summer bootcamp for high school girls interested in learning about Artificial Intelligence. This camp has replaced the Gigabytes  summer program. Participants will dive into the fundamentals of AI, machine learning, and data science, alongside crucial discussions on the ethical use of AI. They will master foundational Python coding, understand the mechanics of how AI systems work and gain hands-on experience by applying AI to real-world problems. Terabytes AI is modeled after the successful, three-year run of the Gigabytes summer computing program for high school girls. The curriculum is developed and delivered by experienced EMU faculty, and the program is staffed by members of the Women in Computer Science (WiCS) club.

The camps are free-of-cost, except for a small registration fee (some scholarships are available). More information and registration: https://www.emich.edu/computer-science/summer-camps/index.php

 

EMU Coding for Neurodivergent Learners: July 20 – 22, 2026

6th – 12th Graders

A sensory-friendly coding experience designed to meet learners where they are. Campers choose their own learning path using Blocks and/or Python and explore physical computing with LEGO BrickQ. Campers should have basic typing skills; however, no prior coding experience is required. The program emphasizes technical confidence in a low-stimulation, high-support environment. Sensory tools are welcome, and frequent breaks are built into the schedule. Camp will culminate in a personalized “Grand Build” showcase. More information and registration: https://myumi.ch/4mgQQ

 

Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) Weather Camp

July 27-31, 2026

Applications due April 10, 2026

https://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/weather-camp/

This is a week-long online event for high school students who are passionate about meteorology. The entire course will take place via ZOOM so computer and Internet access are requisite resources. Participants will receive a Zoom link for the Camp. Please note that all times listed are Central Time US.

The deadline for applications is April 10, 2026. Once the essays have been evaluated, applicants will be scored as accepted, waitlist and delayed to next year.  Acceptance emails will be mailed in before the end of April with a payment link. The fee for the 2026 CIMSS Weather Camp will be USD $300. This registration fee must be paid by June 1, 2026. If someone has not paid by this date or we have been notified they are no longer interested, the next person on the waitlist will be notified.  All registration fees must be paid by credit card.

Remember, applications will be judged by the quality of the 1-paragraph essay explaining why you’d like to participate in the CIMSS Weather Camp this summer!

 

Student Spaceflight Experiments Program — Mission 22 to the International Space Station

Inquiry Deadline: Wednesday, April 15

Contact: jeffgoldstein@ncesse.org

The National Center for Earth and Space Science Education and the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Space Education announce Mission 22 to the International Space Station, a community engagement initiative in STEM. Open to school communities to engage students in grades 5-college, each selected community will choose a student-designed experiment to fly in low-Earth orbit on the space station.

For grades 5-12, each community is expected to engage at least 100 students in real microgravity experiment design and proposal writing. For community college and undergraduate levels, at least 20 students are expected to engage.

 

The Project Hail Mary Challenge

Submissions Due May 4, 2026

https://spaceforteachers.org/projecthailmary

Build a Rotating Spacecraft that achieves Artificial Gravity.

The Project Hail Mary Challenge by Space for Teachers puts teachers at the center of the story. Educators guide students as they design a small rotating space station based on the artificial gravity concept from Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary. 

Guided by their teacher, student teams apply physics, math, and engineering reasoning to design a two-module space station that generates artificial gravity through rotation. Selected teachers fly their students’ winning designs in real microgravity during a parabolic flight.

This is a classroom-based design challenge. Teachers serve as the project lead, and students act as the engineering team.

Genes in Space 2026 Contest

Submissions due April 14, 2026

https://www.genesinspace.org/?mc_cid=fcacca2d0f

Genes in Space is a free experimental design competition where students in grades 7-12 propose research projects to be carried out in space. While one winner has their experiment carried out aboard the International Space Station, all contestants learn about current space biology research and engage in the scientific process as they design their experiments.

The 2026 Architectural Foundation of San Francisco (AFSF) Design Challenge

Submissions due Friday, May 8th

https://myumi.ch/z9bNw

High school students in both public and private schools are invited to participate in the 2026 AFSF Design Challenge!

Fisherman’s Wharf is one of San Francisco’s most iconic waterfront neighborhoods—a mix of fishing industry, tourism, and public space, as well as a hub for maritime heritage. As the uses of the waterfront evolve, it becomes important to consider how to balance the neighborhood’s historic character while improving sustainability and vitality.

Fisherman’s Wharf Revitalized proposes a dynamic waterfront project that re-centers the Wharf around its seafood heritage while creating new public spaces along the Bay. A central public square, paired with expanded food and beverage offerings, would create a resilient community space with enhanced access to San Francisco Bay. And this Challenge is seeking your designs for this mixed-used development!

Participants may enter the competition in two ways: as an Individual Entry participant or as a Group Entry participant. All deliverables (drawings, model, and design description) must be captured in a Google Slide deck and a brief video describing the project.

Final entries must be submitted by Friday, May 8th at 6:00pm PST (9:00pm EST).  The awards presentation reception will take place on Sunday, May 10th.

Smithsonian Activity: Compare the Weather on Mars and Earth

https://myumi.ch/E8j73

Did you know you can check the temperature on Mars? Track the temperature on Mars and compare it to Earth in this activity from the National Air and Space Museum.

Joint Polar Satellite System STEM Activity: Flight Path Navigator Graphing Game
https://myumi.ch/2r65m
Did you know that data from NOAA and NASA’s Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) satellites helps pilots plan their flight paths? In a new game from the JPSS team, players use graphing to plot a safe flight path, including take-off and landing, for an airplane. The beginning concepts of graphing are explored as young learners plan routes to avoid clouds, ice, turbulence, and other obstacles.

Explore the Universe With NuSTAR Art and Coloring Pages
https://myumi.ch/G29z4
NASA’s Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, or NuSTAR, mission detects high-energy X-rays. With NuSTAR, scientists observe and investigate some of the hottest, densest, and most energetic objects in the universe, like the remnants of exploded stars and supermassive black holes actively consuming gas and dust.

Bring Exploration to Your Classroom With NASA’s Artifact Module

Request Deadline: Friday, April 17

Contact: hq-nasa-awg@mail.nasa.gov

NASA’s Artifact Program offers your organization the opportunity to enhance STEM education and spark curiosity in future innovators by bringing authentic space artifacts into your classroom or exhibit. Enrich your curriculum with various historical items from NASA’s collection, from spacecraft models and mission equipment to astronaut gear and engineering instruments.

Visit the Artifact Module website for details on available artifacts, eligibility criteria, and the application process.

National Science Foundation Education and Training Opportunities
Various Deadlines
https://myumi.ch/y1bkd
Browse NSF Opportunities to discover what could be the next step in your academic journey. Search by keyword or use the filters to find Opportunities relevant to your interests. Start your application when you find a good fit or save it to come back to when you’re ready.

 

Open Science Training
https://myumi.ch/kPdqy
NASA’s Open Science 101 course provides the foundational knowledge of the principles and best practices for conducting open science. Researchers, students, and the public are invited to register for this free, five-module course to learn about the principles of open science; how to plan, conduct, and participate in open science research projects; legal and ethical considerations when planning open science projects; and open science best practices.