This project includes a number of informal education initiatives. One of these is public observing nights. These nights begin with a space-based educational presentation given by a college student in a STEM field or member of the local astronomy club (Northern Skies Astronomical Society -NSAS), and this is followed by telescope observing. Attendees are given educational materials and NASA-relevant posters appropriate to inspire all ages. These public observing nights are a recurring event throughout the summer and fall.

Tours of the Space Studies labs at the University of North Dakota are also given upon request for various groups, like student field trips, prospective college students, or the general public. These tours include the spacesuit lab, the lunar/planetary habitat and electric rover, and hands-on experience with the spacecraft simulators.

The NDSGC and NDSGC-supported college students conducted numerous visits to K-12 schools throughout 2018, giving presentations and conducting hands-on activities with students related to space sciences and STEM. Activities also included space camps and school field trips and public tours of the UND Human Spaceflight Laboratory. The increased presence of the NDSGC in K-12 outreach is a result of teacher workshops conducted throughout the state and connections made as members of the ND STEM Network (a community of partners working together to provide high quality experiences in STEM fields).

In partnership with organizations like the Dakota Science Center in Grand Forks, the NDSGC participated in educational events like Super Science Day, Marketplace for Kids, public library visits, summer programming across the state, and other public events throughout 2018 that promote STEM education and awareness of NASAs missions and goals.

In these activities, we see the most involvement from our non-higher education affiliate members, the North Dakota Heritage Center, and the Gateway to Science Center.