Out of This World – NASA Promotes STEM Initiatives at HBCU’s

NASA is paving the way for the next generation of STEM leaders–and they’re looking to HBCU scholars to help lead the charge. At the 2024 HBCU Week National Conference, NASA showcased a bold initiative to connect students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with groundbreaking opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. From cutting-edge research to internships, NASA is putting its resources into action, giving HBCU students direct access to a future that’s out of this world–literally.

NASA’s MUREP program grants HBCU scholars access to NASA technology, networks, training, resources, and partners as part of the White House’s initiative for educational equity and economic opportunities. (Credit: Christina Morillo)

As part of the conference, NASA is organizing MITTIC, a hackathon that will challenge students to come up with innovative solutions for the betterment of humanity. The focus of the MITTIC HBCU hackathon is on utilizing NASA technologies to tackle common challenges faced by HBCU campuses. Teams of scholars will apply NASA technology to address the challenge they choose, then a panel of subject matter experts will hear pitches from each team’s concepts. The team that wins will get a cash prize.

The agency’s efforts go beyond just recruitment. By building long-term partnerships with HBCUs, NASA is actively fostering a diverse pipeline of talent ready to take on the challenges of space exploration, climate research, and everything in between. At the conference, NASA highlighted programs like fellowships, internships, and research grants that open doors for HBCU scholars to engage in some of the most ambitious projects in modern science.

One of the most exciting aspects? The chance to get hands-on with NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and ultimately send astronauts to Mars. Through interactive workshops and networking events, students aren’t just spectators–they’re getting a front-row seat to the future of space travel, with a chance to leave their own mark on it.

For more details, check out NASA’s official announcement and explore the HBCU Week National Conference.