Connecting Students, Educators, Scientists, and Astronauts
Dr. Jamie Foster presents during the IJSEP Conference. Photo credit: The Michaelis Foundation
Space Coast, Florida, June 22, 2026 — The International Journey Spaceflight Experiments Program (IJSEP) Conference brought together students, teachers, scientists, industry leaders, and space professionals for an inspiring event dedicated to student-led space research, STEM education, and global collaboration.
The IJSEP Conference was also part of a broader collaborative effort involving multiple organizations committed to advancing STEM and space education, while celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Science Days. This milestone added special meaning to the event, connecting a decade of educational outreach with a new generation of students now developing ideas, experiments, and ambitions for the future of space exploration.
During the event, participating students and educators had the opportunity to present their space experiment projects, share ideas, and engage in meaningful conversations with real space scientists. The conference created a rare environment where young researchers could not only showcase their work, but also receive encouragement, insight, and inspiration from professionals working in science, space biology, engineering, education, and the space industry.
The IJSEP Conference highlighted the growing importance of giving students access to authentic research experiences. Through the program, students are encouraged to think like scientists, ask meaningful questions, develop experiment concepts, and understand how research can contribute to future space missions.
A major highlight of the conference was the keynote participation of distinguished scientists and mentors, including Dr. Jamie Foster, Dr. Christina Johnson, Jonna Ocampo, and Dr. Gary Stutte. Their presentations and conversations helped students better understand the real-world connections between space research, life sciences, plant biology, microgravity, exploration, and future human spaceflight.
The conference also welcomed the participation of Steve Diamond, Director of Global Space Strategy with Honeywell, whose presence helped connect students with the broader space industry and the technologies shaping the future of exploration. Additional international and educational voices included Alfredo Martinez from Australia, along with Karen Bishop from Trinidad and Tobago, Emily Byers and Hannah Burnside from Jonathan Alder School District, reflecting the growing reach and collaborative spirit of IJSEP.
The event also recognized the important participation of Brevard Career and Technical Education (CTE), which hosted an expo table and brought several students and teachers to attend the conference. Their involvement added a strong local education and workforce development component, reinforcing the importance of connecting students with pathways into technical, and space-related careers.
One of the most memorable moments of the event was the opportunity for participants to interact with NASA astronauts, including Mike Baker, Hoot Gibson, Norm Thagard, Susan Kilrain, and Nicole Stott. These conversations gave students and educators a direct connection to the human side of space exploration, allowing them to hear firsthand stories of missions, teamwork, perseverance, and discovery.
For many students, the experience was more than a conference. It was a moment of transformation. Presenting a project in front of scientists, speaking with astronauts, and exchanging ideas with educators and industry leaders helped students see that space research is not a distant dream. It is a field they can begin exploring now.
The IJSEP Conference was made possible thanks to the support and collaboration of Amazon, The Michaelis Foundation, KSCIA – International Space Academy, and International School, whose shared commitment to education, innovation, and access helped create an unforgettable experience for students and teachers.
Through events like the IJSEP Conference, students gain more than knowledge. They gain confidence, purpose, and a clearer vision of how their ideas can contribute to the future of science and space exploration.
As the global space sector continues to grow, initiatives like IJSEP play an essential role in preparing the next generation of scientists, engineers, researchers, educators, and explorers. By bringing students into direct contact with space professionals and giving them a platform to present their own experiments, IJSEP is helping build the future workforce of the New Space Economy.
The IJSEP Conference was also part of a broader collaborative effort involving multiple organizations committed to advancing STEM and space education, while celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Science Days. This milestone added special meaning to the event, connecting a decade of educational outreach with a new generation of students now developing ideas, experiments, and ambitions for the future of space exploration.
During the event, participating students and educators had the opportunity to present their space experiment projects, share ideas, and engage in meaningful conversations with real space scientists. The conference created a rare environment where young researchers could not only showcase their work, but also receive encouragement, insight, and inspiration from professionals working in science, space biology, engineering, education, and the space industry.
The IJSEP Conference highlighted the growing importance of giving students access to authentic research experiences. Through the program, students are encouraged to think like scientists, ask meaningful questions, develop experiment concepts, and understand how research can contribute to future space missions.
A major highlight of the conference was the keynote participation of distinguished scientists and mentors, including Dr. Jamie Foster, Dr. Christina Johnson, Jonna Ocampo, and Dr. Gary Stutte. Their presentations and conversations helped students better understand the real-world connections between space research, life sciences, plant biology, microgravity, exploration, and future human spaceflight.
The conference also welcomed the participation of Steve Diamond, Director of Global Space Strategy with Honeywell, whose presence helped connect students with the broader space industry and the technologies shaping the future of exploration. Additional international and educational voices included Alfredo Martinez from Australia, along with Karen Bishop from Trinidad and Tobago, Emily Byers and Hannah Burnside from Jonathan Alder School District, reflecting the growing reach and collaborative spirit of IJSEP.
The event also recognized the important participation of Brevard Career and Technical Education (CTE), which hosted an expo table and brought several students and teachers to attend the conference. Their involvement added a strong local education and workforce development component, reinforcing the importance of connecting students with pathways into technical, and space-related careers.
One of the most memorable moments of the event was the opportunity for participants to interact with NASA astronauts, including Mike Baker, Hoot Gibson, Norm Thagard, Susan Kilrain, and Nicole Stott. These conversations gave students and educators a direct connection to the human side of space exploration, allowing them to hear firsthand stories of missions, teamwork, perseverance, and discovery.
For many students, the experience was more than a conference. It was a moment of transformation. Presenting a project in front of scientists, speaking with astronauts, and exchanging ideas with educators and industry leaders helped students see that space research is not a distant dream. It is a field they can begin exploring now.
The IJSEP Conference was made possible thanks to the support and collaboration of Amazon, The Michaelis Foundation, KSCIA – International Space Academy, and International School, whose shared commitment to education, innovation, and access helped create an unforgettable experience for students and teachers.
Through events like the IJSEP Conference, students gain more than knowledge. They gain confidence, purpose, and a clearer vision of how their ideas can contribute to the future of science and space exploration.
As the global space sector continues to grow, initiatives like IJSEP play an essential role in preparing the next generation of scientists, engineers, researchers, educators, and explorers. By bringing students into direct contact with space professionals and giving them a platform to present their own experiments, IJSEP is helping build the future workforce of the New Space Economy.