Experienced NASA educators at Sonoma State University, together with autism education specialists from the Education Development Center and informal education experts from the New York Hall of Science, are collaborating on a five-year NASA Science Activation (SciAct) program, NASA’s Neurodiversity Network (N3). N3 will provide a pathway to NASA participation and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) employment for neurodiverse learners, with a special focus on those on the autism spectrum. 

This team will work with autistic learners to co-develop a program that will (1) identify existing NASA resources that can be modified for accessibility; (2) modify and test the resources with autistic and other ND learners to ensure that they meet documented needs; (3) disseminate the resources through existing NASA SciAct groups, national youth networks, and autism-serving organizations; (4) conduct professional development for informal educators and SciAct members that work with youth groups to ensure that autistic learners are included in an equitable manner in activities; (5) conduct professional development for NASA Subject Matter Experts who will serve as mentors to autistic teens selected for internships; and (6) engage selected autistic teens in NASA-related internships.

This project is funded by the NASA Science Mission Directorate’s Science Activation program