K-12th Grade Programs

The Southern New Mexico Academy for Young Scientists (AYS) provides opportunities to spark the interest of students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Through hands-on science adventures, AYS educates and motivates the next generation of scientists, mathematicians and engineers in the Las Cruces, New Mexico community!

Supporting the development of the next generation of scientists and engineers.

The Central New Mexico Local Section of the American Chemical Society has a membership of over 800 members in the central portion of New Mexico (counties of Bernalillo, Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Sandoval, Santa Fe, San Miguel, Socorro, Taos, Torrance, and Valencia).

The Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program (BEMP) is long-term ecological research using volunteers (mainly K-12 teachers and their students) to monitor key indicators of structural and functional change in the Middle Rio Grande riparian forest, or “bosque.” Started with fewer than 200 students in 1997, BEMP now has over 7,000 students participating in field data collection, lab processing, and f

The Home School Exploration Series is a semester of weekly, hour-long experiential science, technology and art programs facilitated by Explora educators. Each program takes an inquiry approach to learning and involves every student in active exploration of physical materials.

A multidimensional program with components such as in-school presentations, after-school programming, summer programs, state-wide competitions, social networking, forums and conferences, plus teacher-program interaction, in order to facilitate a mentor-lead pipeline for NM students into Computer Science.

The Asombro Institute for Science Education (home of the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park) is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing scientific literacy by fostering an understanding of the Chihuahuan Desert. To achieve this mission, we serve more than 13,000 K-12 students and 500 teachers in southern New Mexico with interactive, inquiry-based science education program each year.

The Ecology Field Program is a free, placed based, hands on program that introduces students to thier local ecosystem. Students meet SMNHC educators at a wild area near thier school or at the SMNHC in Cedar Crest. They are given a brief introduction to ecosystems and then they are taken on 2.5 hour hike.

Outreach Programs - We will come to your door! Most of our Classroom Explorations and Educational Theater Programs can be brought directly to your classroom, library or community center. In addition, Explora offers Assembly Programs for large groups of up to 125 students, and Family Science Events specifically designed for fairs, festivals and other special events.

When school is out spend half days or full days immersed in activities that explore science, technology and art. Spring Break Daily Camps for ages 5-12, Summer Camp Week-long Camps for ages 5-15, Winter Break Daily Camps for ages 5-12.

Explora’s Youth Intern Program involves low-income high school students in a three-year internship during which they experience an engaging approach to learning and become educators in their community.

Exhibit Explorations - Explore our hands-on exhibit activities and to experience our participatory learning opportunities. An Explora educator will facilitate your group’s one- or two-hour visit.

A monthly fulldome planetarium show that dramatically showcases the beauty of algebra, and the connections between math and nature. This award-winning, awe-inspiring show draws fans from grandchildren to grandparents, and always sells out in advance, so tickets must be purchased online at FractalFoundation.org.

GUTS y Girls helps you explore new concepts and careers in science, technology, and engineering while it develops your computer skills and gives you access to the very latest technology. As a summer workshop participant, you will learn about complex systems science through hands-on activities and computer simulations.

In fall 2010, the LANL Foundation launched the Northern New Mexico Inquiry Science Education Consortium (ISEC) as a regional program to improve performance of high-need students in grades K–6.

Vision Statement
A regional population prepared to enter the Laboratory's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) workforce
development pipeline.

Mission Statement
Enhancing STEM education and enrichment initiatives in:

The Santa Fe Institute (SFI), in partnership with the University of New Mexico, the Supercomputing Challenge, and other educational organizations, industry partners, and local schools, is developing an exciting new project called New Mexico Computer Science for All (NM-CSforAll).

"Sport for the Mind"

FLL teams of 3-10 students build LEGO®-based robots and develop research projects based on a real-world Challenge that changes annually. Their activities are guided by FLL Core Values.

Students in grades 4-8 (ages 9-14) get to:

New Mexico State University is an Affiliate University with Project Lead the Way (PLTW). PLTW prepares students to be the most innovative and productive leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and to make meaningful, pioneering contributions to our world.

The mission of The New Mexico Science Teachers Association (NMSTA) is to provide a network for educators throughout the state to work collaboratively towards improving science education from pre-kindergarten through college. The NMSTA assists classroom teachers by providing guidance and strategies through professional development opportunities that enhance science education.

NM MESA is a pre-college program for grades 6 through 12 in schools throughout New Mexico with an emphasis on STEM. The NM MESA Mission: Empower and motivate New Mexico's culturally diverse students with science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) enrichment.

MATHCOUNTS is a national enrichment, coaching and competition program that promotes middle school mathematic achievement. The mission of MATHCOUNTS is to increase enthusiasm for and enhance achievement in middle school mathematics throughout the United States.