Smoky Mountains STEM Collaborative

06/24/2026

Over the last decade, the Smoky Mountains STEM Collaborative has strived to create meaningful STEM experiences for the learners in our region. Our team has enjoyed watching eclipses with you, attending Space Apps with you, going to summer STEM camps with you, showcasing your accomplishments to NASA; truly, the list could not be contained in a single social media post. We have cherished this entire journey alongside you, our community.

To our learners, thank you for taking on incredible challenges and immersing yourself in science education. To our educators and partners, this work would have been impossible without your dedication and passion.

Though our project is slated to end this month, this does not mean goodbye! Our team has submitted for Science Activation 3.0, and we hope to have some good news for you all in September!

Your Friends in Science,
-the SMSC team

05/12/2026

Congratulations, Gracie!! 🥳

We'd like to congratulate SCC alumna Gracie Threadgill for her acceptance into the NASA Europa Inspiring Clipper: Opportunities for Next-generation Scientists (ICONS) Internship Program this summer!

Gracie has had a love for space since she was five and has carried that throughout her entire academic journey with experiences like Smokey Mountain Elementary School's Astro Camp as both a camper and a counselor, the Jackson County Early College program and the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute. She currently attends Western Carolina University as a Chemistry major and is working on both her bachelor's and master's degrees!

This 10-week internship provides students with hands-on learning experiences alongside NASA mentors. With this opportunity, Gracie is one step closer to fulfilling her dream of becoming an astronaut!

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day! 🌎
Be sure to check out the NASA Artemis II Gallery for more incredible images: https://www.nasa.gov/gallery/journey-to-the-moon/
Image Credit: NASA

03/31/2026

Tomorrow may be April Fool's Day, but this is no joke!
The NASA Artemis II launch is slated for tomorrow, April 1, no earlier than 6:24 p.m. EDT.

This will be the first crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit since 1972. NASA astronauts Christina Koch, Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen will spend ten days orbiting the Moon.

Where to watch: https://www.nasa.gov/ways-to-watch/