About Us

NASA’s STEM Innovation Lab is a think tank with an emphasis on space science content applications. It brings together NASA scientists, engineers and educators to explore and develop new ideas related to infusion of educational technology into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) activities, programs and approaches. Inside the lab are 10 interchangeable STEM exploration stations fitted with technologies typically found in many of today’s 21st century educational environments. By placing these stations in close proximity to each other, we encourage users to investigate how the technologies can be effectively blended together for greater impact and integration into NASA education programs and products.

Ideas generated in the lab are captured, collected and shared with educators, educational technology researchers and makerspace enthusiasts around the world. So, if you’re looking for new and inspired ways to make use technology in your educational setting with open access to NASA content, then you’ve come to the right place.

The STEM Innovation Lab is a part of the NASA Space Science Education Consortium (NSSEC) , a group that links exciting science and missions directly to the American public and partners with programs within NASA and beyond.

The STEM Innovation Lab Team

Stations in the lab can host multiple projects with self selected teams

We continually identify and incorporate new technologies as they become available

Lab stations are open to internal personnel, partners and guests to investigate how new and existing technologies can be effectively blended together for greater impact

The STEM Innovation Lab works closely with key partners to conduct short and long term research studies on ideas generated in the lab

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) creates and shares virtual workshops based on projects and ideas found being explored in the STEM Innovation Lab
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Dr. C. Alex Young

NSSEC Principal Investigator

Dr. Alex Young is the Associate Director for Science in the Heliophysics Science Division at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and the head of NASA Space Science Education Consortium (NSSEC). In this role, he is responsible for overseeing and coordinating education and public outreach in the Goddard Heliophyiscs Science Division as well as for the Heliophysics Division at NASA Headquarters. He led NASA national education and outreach activities for the August 2017 total solar eclipse.

Lab Team

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Troy Cline

Lab Director

Troy Cline is the director of the NASA STEM Innovation Lab. He is responsible for all areas of lab design, development, and operation. He is also the Educational Technology Lead for NSSEC.

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Lani Sasser

Lab Specialist

Lani Sasser is a technology specialist supporting the NASA STEM Innovation Lab. She specializes in Information Science, lab administration, and developmental logistics for the travel lab.

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Bryan Stephenson

Lead VR Specialist

Bryan Stephenson is a Senior IT specialist for the lab. He supervises and is responsible for all IT and web development and leads the development of VR/AR applications.

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Kyle Boyer

VR Specialist

Kyle Boyer is a VR developer for the lab. He provides the programming for visualization of 3D, data-driven models.

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Eddie Gonzales

Travel STEM Innovation Lab On-Site Logistics Lead

Eddie Gonzales is a travel lab on-site logistics lead providing planning and administrative support for replication of the lab in other informal venues.

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Patrick Haas

Lead 3D Design Engineer

Patrick Haas provides engineering design and support for the lab. He specializes in 3D modeling and printing along with scientific instrument system design.

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Paul Mirel

Senior Educational Technology Engineer

Paul Mirel designs and creates educational technology to help people explore and understand astrophysics phenomena. Paul also designs scientific instruments for orbital and suborbital payloads.

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Abhishek Gorti

Coding & Electronics Specialist

Abhishek Gorti is an intern from the US Naval Academy working in the NASA STEM Innovation Lab. He specializes in coding and electronics, as well as designs and creates new uses of educational technology projects.

NSSEC Team

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Lou Mayo

Program Manager

Lou Mayo is an astronomer in the Heliophysics Branch at Goddard Space Flight Center and professor of astronomy at Marymount University. Currently, Lou is the Program Manager for NSSEC, tasked with engaging the public with NASA science.

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Shannon Reed

Deputy Program Manager

Shannon Reed is the Deputy Program Manager for NSSEC. She is responsible for various administrative tasks and making sure the program stays on course, as well as developmental logistics for the travel STEM Innovation Lab.

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Carolyn Ng

Informal Outreach Education Lead

Carolyn Ng leads informal education for NSSEC, coordinating STEM engagement activities that will reach the general public through a variety of programs and events. She also works with specialized communities like indigenous groups and learners of all ability levels.

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Sten Odenwald

Director of Citizen Science

Dr. Sten Odenwald is an astrophysicist and award-winning science popularizer who was involved with science education for the COBE, IMAGE, Hinode and InSight spacecraft, as well as the Sun-Earth Connection Education Forum. He is currently the Director of Citizen Science for NSSEC.

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Kaushal Patel

Front-End Developer

Kaushal Patel is a Web Developer for NSSEC. He is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining the visual and functional elements of the website.

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Abbey Interrante

Science Writer

Abbey Interrante is the Science Writer for NSSEC. She creates and implements communication plans and content across all areas of the program.