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Educational Activities

IDEAS² Supports Student Learning Through Lunar Settlement Design Workshop
From August 22–28, 2026, IDEAS² researcher Paula Drozdowska led a weeklong lunar settlement design workshop for students participating in the 2026 Global Education Program in Houston.… 		IDEAS² researcher Paula Drozdowska with students during the Global Education Program (GEP-NASA), August 2026. Her weeklong lunar settlement design workshop guided teams in developing interconnected habitat, rover, transportation, and logistics concepts strengthening systems thinking, human-centered design and teamwork.​
IDEAS² Expands STEM Outreach Through Tensegrity Workshop and Research Laboratory Visits
In July 2026, IDEAS² faculty and student researchers expanded STEM outreach through a K–12 tensegrity workshop and a series of research presentations and laboratory visits for local and… 		IDEAS² researchers engage students, educators, and visiting university groups through tensegrity demonstrations, research presentations, and laboratory visits focused on deployable structures, robotics, and space systems.
IDEAS² Graduate Researcher Shares Space Architecture Journey at TEDxWSKZ
In June 2026, IDEAS² graduate researcher Paula Drozdowska delivered a TEDx talk titled “Your Path to the Stars Begins Today” at TEDxWSKZ in Wrocław, Poland. Drawing on her experience in… 		IDEAS² graduate researcher Paula Drozdowska delivers her TEDxWSKZ talk in Wrocław, Poland, sharing her journey into space architecture and the IDEAS² center encouraging young people to pursue opportunities in the global space sector
NASA Engineer and UH Alumnus Ike Theriot Engages Students on NASA Design and Career Pathways
On May 4, 2026, University of Houston alumnus Ike Theriot, EHP Flight Operations Surface Testing Lead in the EVA, Robotics, and Crew Operations Division at NASA Johnson Space Center,… 		UH B.S. Mechanical Engineering alumnus Ike Theriot, EHP Flight Operations Surface Testing Lead in the EVA, Robotics, and Crew Operations Division at NASA JSC, returned to UH on May 4, 2026, as a 2025–2026 Distinguished Guest Speaker to engage with UH and IDEAS² students on NASA design processes, EVA operations, Artemis mission preparation, and human spaceflight career pathways..​
IDEAS² Distinguished Lecture Series Features Dr. Shirley Dyke on Smart and Resilient Lunar Habitats
On April 16, 2026, the NASA MIRO IDEAS² Center hosted its Spring 2026 Distinguished Lecture featuring Dr. Shirley J. Dyke, Donald and Patricia Coates Professor of Innovation at Purdue… 		Dr. Shirley J. Dyke of Purdue University visited the IDEAS² Center for the Spring 2026 Distinguished Lecture Series, presenting NASA-funded research on smart and resilient lunar habitats and meeting with faculty and students to discuss collaboration opportunities.​
IDEAS² Outreach at the Science and Engineering Fair of Houston
On February 13, 2026, faculty and students from the NASA MIRO IDEAS² Center participated in the Science and Engineering Fair of Houston (SEFH), one of the region’s major STEM events for… 		IDEAS² Center faculty and students participated in the Science and Engineering Fair of Houston (SEFH), engaged with K–12 students to share project activities and educational pathways in aerospace and engineering. Graduate students also contributed as judges and volunteers, supporting STEM project evaluation and outreach efforts.​
High School STEM Outreach Visit to UH IDEAS² and SICSA
On January 29, 2026, 25 students from Hardin-Jefferson High School and Anahuac High School visited the University of Houston for an immersive STEM engagement focused on space architecture… 		IDEAS² researcher Surabhi Sharma presents an overview of space architecture and NASA MIRO research activities to visiting high school students from Hardin-Jefferson High School and Anahuac High School during a STEM outreach visit at the UH Sasakawa International Center for Space Architecture (SICSA).
Student Participation in Mars Autonomous Rover Rally Design Challenge
In Fall 2025, IDEAS²-supported University of Houston students engaged in the Mars Autonomous Rover Rally Design Challenge, a university-level design and coding competition organized by the… 		A team of University of Houston students participating in the Mars Autonomous Rover Rally Design Challenge developed and tested autonomous rover navigation algorithms using the Space Teams PRO high-fidelity Martian simulation environment. The image shows a simulated rover navigating Martian terrain alongside the ROS-based interface used for obstacle detection, mapping, and mission planning.
Aerospace Recruitment and Outreach
In October 2025, the IDEAS² Center advanced its outreach and workforce development mission through coordinated activities across UH and San Jacinto College. At UH, faculty and graduate… 		UH graduate students Salvador Gonzalez and Yuhang Ying engaged prospective students during the Engineering Cougar Preview, showcasing robotics and aerospace pathways
IDEAS² Center Launches Distinguished Lecture Series with Talk by Dr. Kingsley Fregene
In October 2025, the NASA MIRO IDEAS² Center inaugurated its IDEAS² Distinguished Lecture Series, which will bring an outstanding external expert in space-related research and development… 		Lockheed Martin’s Dr. Kingsley Fregene presents the inaugural IDEAS² Distinguished Lecture, marking the launch of the Center’s speaker series on space research and technology
San Jacinto College Advances IDEAS² Workforce and STEM Outreach
In September, IDEAS² partner San Jacinto College advanced workforce and outreach goals across Greater Houston. The team promoted aerospace certificates and MIRO student pathways at the… 		san jacinto college
NASA JSC Tour for Summer Interns
IDEAS² organized a tour of NASA Johnson Space Center for interns. Participants explored Mission Control, Astronaut Training, and Space Vehicle Mockup Facilities, connecting classroom…
Space City Job Fair
IDEAS² partner San Jacinto College participated in the BAHEP Aerospace Industry Job Fair.
2025 Mars Rover Explorers Summer Camp
Directed by Co-I Dr. Heather Domjan, UH hosted 65 students from 16 districts.
Research Experiences for High School Students
Multiple high school students engaged in summer research at UH, mentored by IDEAS² faculty and graduate students.
STEM Go Pro Day 2025
As part of Tech Fest Live, IDEAS² Co-Is Drs. Olga Bannova and Zheng Chen engaged 300+ high school students through rover control and soft robotics demos.
St. Elmo Brady STEM Academy Teacher Training
IDEAS² faculty trained educators in STEM outreach with demonstrations of robotics and VR space architecture.
International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC)
UH AIAA SCR team, mentored by IDEAS², earned First Place in the SDL Payload Challenge.
Research Experience for Teachers (RET)
A one-month pilot RET hosted by Co-I Dr. Jerrod Henderson engaged two teachers from Spring ISD and CFISD.
Kinston STEAM Day
Kinston STEAM Day celebrated STEM with competitions, design projects, and talks.