Public Event
JPL Virtual Tour
When:
OngoingWhere:
OnlineTarget Audience:
All AudiencesOverview:
Take a tour of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California without leaving home! With the JPL Virtual Tour you can explore mission control, the "cleanroom" where space robots are built, the sandbox where Mars rovers are tested, and even places that aren't open to the public on in-person tours. Learn about the facilities where spacecraft are built, tested, and operated as you click on and zoom into points of interest and get to know the leading center for robotic space exploration.
› Take the JPL Virtual Tour
Educational Resources:
Explore these related educational resources, lessons, and activities to get students engaging in STEM with NASA.
Educator Resources
- Lesson
Making Rovers With Tangram Shapes
Students use simple supplies to model how NASA tracks the location of spacecraft from Earth.
Subject Math
Grades K-1
Time 30-60 mins
- Lesson
What Tools Would You Take to Mars?
Students decide what they want to learn from a robotic mission to Mars and what tools they will put on their robot to accomplish their goals.
Subject Science
Grades K-2
Time 30-60 mins
- Lesson
Design a Robotic Insect
Students design a robotic insect for an extraterrestrial environment, then compare the process to how NASA engineers design robots for extreme environments like Mars.
Subject Science
Grades 3-5
Time 30-60 mins
- Lesson
Mars Rover Driver Board Game
In this board-game lesson, students learn basic computer programming skills by playing the roles of a Mars rover, scientist and engineer to make exploration decisions and accomplish science goals.
Subject Technology
Grades 3-8
Time 1-2 hrs
- Lesson
Build a Satellite
Students will use the engineering design process to design, build, test and improve a model satellite intended to investigate the surface of a planet.
Subject Engineering
Grades 5-8
Time 2+ hrs
- Lesson
Tracking Spacecraft With Trilateration
Students use simple supplies to model how NASA tracks the location of spacecraft from Earth.
Subject Technology
Grades 6-12
Time 30-60 mins
- Lesson
NASA Space Voyagers: The Game
Students play a strategy card game that requires them to use problem-solving to successfully explore the Moon and Mars.
Subject Science
Grades 6-12
Time 1-2 hrs
- Collection
Deep Space Network Lessons
Explore a collection of standards-aligned educator guides to get students engaged in STEM while learning about the Deep Space Network.
- Articles
Teachable Moments
Take a look inside the latest NASA missions and science news and find out how to get students engaged with related STEAM lessons and activities.
Student Activities
- Student Project
NASA Space Voyagers: The Game
In this strategy card game, you'll build spacecraft that can explore the Moon, Mars, and other destinations throughout our solar system while withstanding challenges thrown your way.
- Student Video
How Do We Communicate With Faraway Spacecraft?
Find out how we use giant antennas located around the world to talk to spacecraft as they travel throughout the solar system.
- Student Project
Make a Cardboard Rover
Build a rubber-band-powered rover that can scramble across a room.
- Student Video
Mars in a Minute: Phoning Home – Communicating from Mars
How did we know that the Curiosity Mars rover landed safely on the surface of Mars?
- Student Project
Code a Mars Rover Driving Game
Use Python to create a game inspired by the way NASA explores Mars with rovers.
- Student Project
Map a Mars Rover Driving Route
Use geography and an interactive Mars mapping tool to determine the best and safest path for a Mars rover to reach its destination.
- Student Project
Code a Mars Landing
Use coding and computer science to simulate how NASA lands spacecraft on Mars during the process known as entry, descent, and landing, or EDL.
Expert Talks
- Teaching Space With NASA
Engineering the Deep Space Network
In this one-hour education webinar, NASA experts discuss how we communicate with spacecraft using the Deep Space Network, a system of massive antennas stationed around the world.
- Teaching Space With NASA
La Red del Espacio Profundo de NASA
Un bosquejo de su importancia para la exploración del universo; un esfuerzo en busca de descubrimientos beneficiosos para la humanidad.
- Expert Talks
Teaching Space With NASA
Hear from experts and education specialists about the latest missions and science happening at NASA and get your questions answered.
Articles
- Showcase
NASA Answers: When Am I Ever Going to Use This?
We asked JPL scientists and engineers to share what STEM concepts they learned in school that they still use in their job today.
- Articles
Career Guidance
Get advice from scientists, engineers and educators about what it takes to work in STEM and how to get a foot in the door.
- Articles
Meet JPL Interns
These interns are pushing the boundaries of space exploration and science at the leading center for robotic exploration of the solar system.
Opportunities
- Opportunities
JPL Internships and Fellowships
Discover exciting internships and research opportunities at the leading center for robotic exploration of the solar system.
- Opportunities
JPL Jobs: Opportunities for Students
Start here to learn more about internship, fellowship, and postdoc opportunities at JPL and how to apply.
Join the Conversation
- Learn about the latest news, events, and resources from the education team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Sign up for the JPL Education newsletter
- Join the conversation and find out about the latest opportunities with @NASAJPL_Edu on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.