Johnson Gears Up for Back-to-School Time with Safety Tips and Exciting STEM Events

Calling all parents at NASA’s Johnson Space Center: Back-to-school season is here! We know that safety is always the number one priority, in and out of the classrooms, so as your kids are getting ready to get back to the books, we compiled safety tips and educational resources to help you, your students, and their teachers prepare for the year ahead!  

Back-to-School Road Safety Tips 

School days bring traffic congestion. By exercising a little extra care and caution, drivers and pedestrians can co-exist safely in school zones. It is important to slow down and pay attention while driving when kids are present – especially before and after school.  

If you are dropping kids off at school: 

Schools often have specific drop-off procedures for the school year. Make sure you know them for the safety of all kids. The following applies to all school zones: 

• Do not double park because it blocks visibility for other children and vehicles
• Do not load or unload children across the street from the school
• Carpool to reduce the number of vehicles at the school 

Share the road with young pedestrians: 

According to research by the National Safety Council, most of the children who lose their lives in bus-related incidents are four to seven years old and are walking. They are hit by the bus or by a motorist illegally passing a stopped bus. A few precautions go a long way toward keeping children safe: 

• Do not block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn
• In a school zone when flashers are blinking, stop and yield to pedestrians 
• Always stop for a school patrol officer or crossing guard holding up a stop sign
• Take extra care to look out for children in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in all residential areas
• Don't honk or rev your engine to scare a pedestrian, even if you have the right of way
• Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians

Share the road with school buses: 

If you are driving behind a bus, allow a greater following distance than if you were driving behind a car. It will give you more time to stop once the yellow lights start flashing. It is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children. 

• Never pass a bus from behind – or from either direction if you are on an undivided road – if it is stopped to load or unload children
• If the yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop
• The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children. Be sure to stop far enough back to allow them space to enter and exit the bus safely
• Be alert. Children often are unpredictable, and they tend to ignore hazards and take risks 

Share the road with bicyclists: 

On most roads, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as vehicles, but bikes can be hard to see. Children riding bikes create unique problems for drivers because usually they cannot determine traffic conditions properly. The most common cause of collision is a driver turning left in front of a bicyclist. 

• When passing a bicyclist, proceed in the same direction slowly, and leave 3 feet between your car and the cyclist
• When turning left and a bicyclist is approaching in the opposite direction, wait for the rider to pass
• If you are turning right and a bicyclist is approaching from behind on the right, let the rider go through the intersection first and always use your turn signals
• Watch for bike riders turning in front of you without looking or signaling
• Be extra vigilant in school zones and residential neighborhoods
• Watch for bikes coming from driveways or behind parked cars
• Check side mirrors before opening your door 

Promote Sustainability in the Upcoming School Year 

Parents can contribute to sustainability by donating their kids’ gently used items. Join the JSC Parenting Exchange Team Channel and pay it forward with no cash changing hands. Pass on toys, furniture, clothes, books, decor, and more to fellow Johnson parents.  

Post your items for free, select a recipient, and arrange an on-site handover. It's as simple as that! Show interest in an item by giving it a thumbs up to see if you are the lucky recipient. 

Find detailed information here.

Discuss Transition Stress with JSC Parenting ERG 

Share your thoughts on easing the back-to-school transition with the JSC Parenting Employee Resource Group (ERG). Join the discussion via Teams from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Aug. 16, 2023. Anika Isaac from the Johnson and White Sands Test Facility Employee Assistance Program will review transition stress, resilience-building traits, and skills to cope with change. 

For continued support, check out the JSC Parenting ERG’s self-care channel, where the community shares thoughts and ideas on taking care of themselves, their kids, and each other.

Branch Out with Artemis Moon Trees 

Do you know a school interested in hosting a Moon Tree? NASA's Next Gen STEM project, in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service, kicks off the school year with a unique opportunity. Nearly 2,000 tree seeds traveled to the Moon and back to Earth aboard the Artemis I Orion space capsule – imagine planting one of those seeds at your local school. 

Education and community organizations are invited to attend an information session on Aug. 17, 2023, from 4 to 5 p.m. to learn how to apply for an Artemis Moon Tree Seedling through NASA's Artifacts Module Program. Educators will have the chance to create interactive lessons around their Moon Tree using our STEM tool kit or their own STEM curriculum. 

Get Involved in a Variety of @NASASTEM Activities: 

Join the excitement of NASA’s missions and explore STEM opportunities for all ages. Discover an array of engaging STEM activities and resources for students and teachers as NASA's Office of STEM Engagement holds its annual Back-to-School campaign from Aug. 14 to 25.  

Visit the new @NASASTEM webpage to immerse yourself in NASA challenges and experiences that unlock your place in space. 

• Watch "Study Like a NASA Expert” for valuable study habit tips and tricks 
• Learn about the two solar eclipses that will cross through the United States this year
• Participate in classroom activities from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California
• Watch videos on the “Future of Aerospace” and a STEMonstration on photosynthesis 
• Stay updated with the weekly @NASASTEM EXPRESS, featuring student-focused resources, inspiring content, and webinars on teaching tips and the latest mission news 

Stay tuned for back-to-school activities by following the @NASASTEM accounts on X, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest. 

Pursue a NASA Internship

Through NASA internships, students in high school and higher education can participate in NASA’s missions with the guidance of an agency mentor. The application deadline for Spring 2024 is on Thursday, Aug. 31, while the deadlines for Spring 2024 and Summer 2024 are Oct. 20, 2023, and Jan. 17, 2024, respectively.

Visit intern.nasa.gov to learn more and find current opportunities, and check out the NASA Interns blog to find out what this experience is all about.

See below a “Welcome Back to School” message from NASA’s SpaceX Crew-5.