Leveraging Eclipses to Build a Network for Broadening STEM Participation: An Evaluation of the Nationwide Eclipse Ballooning Project

The Nationwide Eclipse Ballooning Project (NEBP) is a NASA-supported Science Activation project with a core mission of broadening participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The NEBP has engaged 53 teams of students from across the United States in an innovative NASA-mission-like experience with academic scientific ballooning during the 2023 and 2024 solar eclipses. This article reports on evaluation of the NEBP, with a focus on how the project has achieved three primary objectives including: (1) increasing inclusive STEM education opportunities and experience; (2) advancing learner outcomes related to scientific and engineering knowledge, practice, confidence, identity, and interest; and (3) growing and sustaining a network for broadening STEM education. The evaluation evidence suggests substantial success in these areas. Team members indicated that the project had positive impacts on their STEM identities and their interests and sense of competence in pursuing STEM studies and careers. The NEBP also achieved significant goals around broadening participation and creating welcoming team environments, including for students from groups underrepresented in STEM. This article closes with suggestions from partners and team mentors for how a scientific ballooning network might be sustained into the future and a synthesis of lessons learned during the project. Â