STEM Education

With so much talk about the value of a STEM education today, many students have the misconception that a four-year degree is necessary to gain good employment in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. However, community colleges are also answering the call for STEM training, through associate degree and certificate programs that prepare students for in-demand jobs in these industries. Check out these 10 exciting STEM degrees you can earn right at your local community college.

A.S. Natural Science – Kapi’olani Community College

The ASNS degree program offered through Kapi’olani Community College in Hawaii is specifically designed to deepen STEM learning at the community college level. This program provides a basic overview of natural science, with a two-year degree that can be transferred to a four-year school after graduation. The program offers students the option of specialization in either Life or Physical Science, with a broad curriculum that spans the science field no matter which specialty path is chosen.

A.S. General Physics – Waubonsee Community College

Waubonsee Community College in Illinois offers an Associate of Science with a specialization in a variety of fields of study, including physics. Students that choose this academic path will complete coursework in general physics and mathematics, as well as classes in chemistry, life sciences, and physical sciences. The school also provides a list of STEM classes that have been approved by the National Science Foundation, which can be taken towards completion of this degree program.

Associate of Technical

A number of community college students from around the country are headed to NASA to help design robotic rovers for Mars exploration. The 92 students chosen for the project were carefully selected after participating in interactive online assignments throughout the school year. They will be headed to a NASA center this spring to complete their tasks. The National Community College Aerospace Scholar program designed the project, with sponsorship from NASA, and will include students from 24 different states across the country.

This video discusses the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars program.

The Purpose of the Program

According to a press release on the NASA website, the program is based on the Texas Aerospace Scholars program, which was originally created as a partnership between the state’s education community and NASA. The purpose was to get more students excited about STEM areas of study, particularly science and engineering. This particular project, through the National Community College Aerospace Scholar program and NASA, is designed to offer hands-on opportunities in STEM fields that will inspire more students to enter those fields after they finish college.

“I am so proud of the Community College Aerospace Scholars program,” Leland Melvin, NASA’s associate administrator for education, stated in the press release. “Community colleges offer NASA a great pool of STEM talent critical to our scientific and exploration initiatives. They also serve a large portion of

For students who are looking up to the skies and pondering potential career pathways, there are an array of space study programs at community colleges across the country!

Students who choose to pursue studies in space can find jobs with NASA or companies that focus on satellites and technologies that tie into this expansive field. In fact, even cellular and other satellite-based companies are seeking new employees to assist with planning and developing space-based products and services.

To train students for these and many other related careers, community colleges offer space-related courses of study, including pathways that incorporate engineering, physics, and math. Also, to improve current programs, many community colleges are collaborating with NASA to create curricula and courses to prepare students for futures in space studies. Today, community colleges are establishing both new and revised programs to address the interests of science and exploratory students.

In recent years, the field of space exploration has captured the imagination of many, and the demand for professionals in the space industry continues to grow. Local community colleges have recognized this trend and are now offering a range of educational opportunities for individuals aspiring to work in this exciting field. In this article, we will explore the various ways you can prepare for a career in space at your local community college.

1. Space Science and Astronomy Courses

Community colleges often offer introductory courses in space science and astronomy. These courses can provide you with a solid foundation in