COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. and WALDORF, Maryland — March 17, 2026 — Space Foundation and Charles County Public Schools are partnering once again for Space in the Community (SITC), bringing a week of space exploration and STEM fun to Charles County Public Schools in Waldorf, Maryland, from March 23–27, 2026.

“Through our partnership with Charles County Public Schools, we are able to bring the Space in the Community program to Waldorf and offer free STEM experiences for teachers, students and families, including the chance to meet a real-life astronaut,” said Heidi Vasiloff, senior director, Space Foundation Discovery Center. “By bringing space exploration directly to students, we hope to inspire curiosity, build interest in STEM and help young people imagine themselves as the scientists, engineers and explorers of tomorrow.”

Space Foundation’s Space Workforce team will visit elementary, middle and high schools across the school system, providing teachers with space-focused lesson plans that integrate easily into the classroom. Students will participate in hands-on STEM activities, learn about NASA’s Artemis program and meet former NASA astronaut Kathryn Thornton.

Thornton flew four space shuttle missions over her 12-year career, spending more than 975 hours in space, including more than 21 hours on spacewalks. She made history as the first woman to participate in a classified U.S. government space mission and was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in 2010.

“On behalf of Charles County Public Schools, I value the partnership the school system has with Space Foundation. The partnership, which was first launched nearly 20 years ago in 2007, has provided hundreds of professional development opportunities and sessions for our teachers in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math, known as STEM. In turn, our teachers take what they learn and infuse it into instruction and learning for students,” Charles County Superintendent of Schools Maria V. Navarro, Ed.D., said. “Our teachers help children develop a love for STEM education. I am excited that through our partnership, the Space Foundation is bringing the Space in the Community outreach program to Charles County so we can expand STEM education further into the community. I encourage the community to learn about this partnership, as well as STEM education, by attending the March 27 free event at the Science Center featuring astronaut Dr. Kathryn Thornton.”

In addition, a peer mentor event will be held March 27, 2026, from 7:45–10:25 a.m. at St. Charles High School, 5305 Piney Church Road, Waldorf, Maryland. High school students will meet local STEM industry professionals and explore careers and opportunities in the growing space industry. The event will include a presentation by astronaut Kathryn Thornton, followed by a question-and-answer session.

Later that day, a community night will take place from 4:30–6:30 p.m. at the James E. Richmond Science Center, also at 5305 Piney Church Road in Waldorf. Students, families and community members can enjoy hands-on STEM activities and hear a presentation from Thornton. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet her and take photos.

Community Night Event Highlights

• Meet astronauts: Connect with Kathryn Thornton, a former NASA astronaut.
• STEM activities: Enjoy hands-on learning experiences such as straw rockets, become an Artemis Astronaut, coloring activity books and pages, impact crater experiments, and a design-and-build challenge focused on the Orion spacecraft.
• Family fun for all ages: Enjoy hands-on, educational activities designed to inspire curiosity and a passion for STEM.
• Interactive learning: Discover cutting-edge space science and technology through Science on a Sphere and planetarium presentations at the James E. Richmond Science Center.

Space Foundation will also host a Teacher Professional Development workshop March 25, 2026, from 1:45–4:15 p.m. Focused on high school physics and project-based learning, the workshop will explore space science through waves and magnetism. Teachers will gain new tools and classroom-ready activities to help students discover how invisible signals can reveal some of the universe’s biggest mysteries.

For more information on the Space in the Community program and to get involved, visit discoverspace.org/space-in-the-community.

About Space Foundation 

Space Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 1983 as a gateway to advance the global space community. Space Foundation uniquely educates, collaborates and informs the entire space workforce, from early education through post-secondary (college, non-college, vocational), to the start of their careers as new professionals, and ultimately as leaders at the highest levels of government and commercial industry. As a charitable organization, Space Foundation receives support from corporate members, sponsors, individual giving, and grants. Visit Space Foundation at www.SpaceFoundation.org, and follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.