Applications Now Open Until November 30, 2025

Christa McAuliffe, a dedicated teacher and the first private citizen selected to fly in space, embodied the spirit of exploration and the pursuit of knowledge. Her passion for education and her dream of making space accessible to students around the world left an indelible mark on the space community. 

The National Space Club & Foundation, In collaboration with the McAuliffe family and Challenger Center is proud of the 2024 announcement of the renaming of the National Space Educator Award to the Christa McAuliffe National Space Educator Award.  This award has been presented to outstanding educators since it was established in 1982 by the Club's Executive Committee at the suggestion of and with support from Dr. Glen P. Wilson.  Its purpose is to recognize the importance of secopdary school teachers who work long-term mentoring students in space-related STEM projects and experimentation.  This esteemed newly renamed accolade will continue to recognize and celebrate outstanding educators who exemplify dedication and passion for space exploration and space science education among their students. 

The Christa McAuliffe National Space Educator Award is also designed to enhance and support educators to participate in NASA Educational Programs by honoring a teacher who has advised and helped guide students toward space careers through participation in space-related competitions and professional activities.

The recipient of the distinguished Christa McAuliffe National Space Educator Award will be selected by a committee of the National Space Club & Foundation and will receive a grant of $1,500, travel expenses and accommodations to attend the Goddard Memorial Dinner on March 13, 2026 in Washington, DC, a personal plaque/statue  of recognition, and a plaque/statue for the teacher’s school.

Criteria & Eligibility

1.   Must be a U. S. citizen 

2.   Must be a Secondary School (Grades 9-12)  teacher or have worked formally or informally with high school students

3.   Must have taught sufficiently long (minimum of 7 years) to produce meaningful impact 

4.   Must be involved in teaching space and space-focused STEM in and out of the classroom

5.   Must have supported student space-related research or projects via one or more of the following:

   •   high-altitude, microgravity, sub-orbital, orbital opportunities, CubeSat and/or other space STEM related projects;

   •   advising students in space-related competitions or projects  (e.g. NASA HUNCH, TechRise, Student Launch,  First Nations Launch,  Student Spaceflight Experiment Program (SSEP, , etc.;  

   •   advised students who have competed with projects directly related to space enterprise and industry topics or had experimental payloads flown to space or towards space development 

6.   Must have students who have pursued post-secondary or graduate degrees and/or professional careers in space-related areas

7.   May have other criteria demonstrating commitment to advancing space exploration and space industrial activity 

8.   Criteria generally not considered - participation in formal in-service teacher professional activities; participation in community programs since their direct impact on production of space professionals cannot be measured; or personal participation in informal education experiences ( e.g., Space Camp, SEEC, or LiftOff workshop participation, etc).