This newsletter is brought to you by the Astrobiology Program office in conjunction with the Astrobiology Science Communication Guild. The Guild supports the astrobiology community at any stage of their careers as evolving science communicators by bringing members SciComm opportunities and serving ideals in DEIA. If any of the below opportunities interest you, consider joining the Guild to get updates on regular SciComm opportunities with NASA and external partners. Contact svetlana.shkolyar@nasa.gov to join.

The National Academies Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications encourages high-quality science communication and builds a diverse community of science communicators, science journalists, and research scientists that will help society meet challenges and realize opportunities posed by complex issues.

Awards will go to individuals who are working at the frontlines of science communication who have developed creative, original work that addresses issues and advances in science, engineering, or medicine for the general public, and who are in career stages or settings where the recognition could have a significant impact on their future career.

Schmidt Sciences will help foster a community of science communications awardees by providing training and professional development opportunities.

Research scientists from the astrobiology community are eligible to apply: https://www.nationalacademies.org/awards/excellence-in-communication/for-applicants

Virtual Trips to Extreme Environments (VIRTEX) will connect Boys & Girls Clubs with researchers who study unique extreme environments. NASA-funded scientists who work in extreme environments are invited to become VIRTEX mentors! With training and support, mentors will act as STEM role models as they connect virtually with teams of students (ages 10-15) at a partnering Boys & Girls Club.

VIRTEX is looking for NASA-funded scientists, engineers, and technicians (including early career researchers) who conduct research in exciting, “extreme” environments such as remote field locations, unique laboratory settings, aircraft, mountain tops, underwater laboratories, and more. In particular, they are seeking mentors from historically marginalized communities. Not sure if you’re the right fit? Reach out to shupla@lpi.usra.edu with questions!

Total time commitment expected: 8 hours spread over two months.

More information and application: https://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/VIRTEX/

The NASA Science Explorer (SciX) is a digital library that extends the NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS) to include a wide range of scientific disciplines, including astronomy, earth science, planetary science, physics, and biological and physical sciences. SciX aims to foster open, interdisciplinary science, increase research efficiency, and connect NASA data repositories to enhance the science return on individual archives.

NASA's SciX project aims to enhance open science across all disciplines relevant to NASA's mission. We're seeking 12 Lead Ambassadors from diverse fields including Astrophysics, Planetary Science, Earth Science, and Biological & Physical Sciences. Early career researchers (including graduate students) and applicants that identify with underrepresented groups in STEM are encouraged to apply. We accept international applications as well.

Lead Ambassadors in the NASA Science Explorer (SciX) Ambassador Program will educate their communities about the benefits of SciX. As a SciX Lead Ambassador, you'll:

Applications are evaluated on described community engagement plans, with a preference for early career researchers. Apply now: https://forms.gle/2wUNSNyC9hzYWj1t9

Find SciX here: https://SciXplorer.org

ComSciCon provides graduate student attendees with an opportunity to meet early career leaders in Science Communication, learn from and interact with a remarkable group of invited experts, and produce an original work communicating complex concepts to a new audience.

At ComSciCon's Flagship Workshop, participants build communication skills that scientists and other technical professionals need to express ideas to their peers, experts in other fields, and the general public.

ComSciCon 2024 will be held July 24-27, 2024 in Boston, MA. For more information or to see past years workshops, see:

Apply here: https://www.comscicon.org/comscicon-flagship-2024-application 

Please contact flagship2024@comscicon.org with any questions.

At this meeting, we will feature the NASA SciAct Community College Network (NCCN). NCCN brings NASA Subject Matter Experts (SME), research findings, and science resources into the community college system. Students at community and two-year colleges represent an underserved population, with significant minority enrollment, first generation college attendance, and part-time learners. With over a third of the 300,000 students enrolling in introductory space science every year doing so at a community college, NCCN has a huge potential impact on science education and science literacy. This presentation will describe the NCCN and how you can make an impact on this demographic of learners.

Join NASA’s Inspires Futures for Tomorrow’s Youth (NIFTY) team to learn how you can broaden youth participation in STEM studies. Learn about the importance of role model relationships (as opposed to longer mentorship relationships with youth) through this 90-minute workshop. Walk away with insights on role model strategies for impacting how youth think about STEM.

To get meeting connection details, join the Guild by contacting svetlana.shkolyar@nasa.gov. If you are already a Guild member, stay tuned for meeting connection and registration details.

Join us on social media for even more NASA Astrobiology: