A Look Inside

Are you curious about what goes on inside Pathway to Space? Check out these components of the class to get a glimpse of the in-class and outside-of-class experience of Pathway to Space.

"I strongly think that this was the best class I have ever had in my academic career. I've told my friends that this was the first class that I actually really wanted to go to every day. I've felt more engaged during this class than any other class I have taken in my life." - Student comment 
Class as a “Show”

Pathway to Space’s live classroom environment is designed for student engagement with a talk show-like format. Interviews with visiting guest contributors, active participation in class, and theatrical elements keep you on the edge of your seat, always wondering what will come next!

Trail Mail

Your input and ideas matter! We want to hear from you! At the start of each class, Chris reads student “trail mail,” comments or questions about anything related to the class. Use a comment rocket to shoot your trail mail to the front of the classroom and Chris will likely cover it in the next class.

Day in Space

Ashleigh Bailey, the Space Minor Program Manager, visits each class to share current events and happenings in space. The goal is to make connections between content covered in class and real world work and endeavors.

Your Path

It’s okay to meander! It’s okay to fail! Just learn a lesson along the way! Our special guests take the stage and we hear about their life, career, struggles, triumphs, and hopefully an enlightening story or two. We get to experience real human stories from space experts.

Pathway Outstanding Transporter

Let’s go explore! Each class, Chris and our special guest climb into the Pathway Outstanding Transporter and journey through time, space, or scale. The goal is to take the entire class on an adventure to a destination related to the day’s topic.

Material Application Performances (MAPS)

How have you conceptualized today’s topic? What creative twist can you apply to each day’s main concept? Each class, a Pathway student team performs a skit, a musical piece, an interpretive dance, or anything in between, and brings the topic to life for the class!

Comment Rockets

During class, jot down comments or questions, attach them to a foam rocket, and shoot the rocket to the front of the classroom! Let us know your “Aha Moments” when you see a connection to course content or have any course or content-related questions.

Student Teams Asking Renowned Specialists (STARS)

What questions do you have for today’s special guest? Each class, a Pathway student team comes to the stage to interview our visiting expert and dive deeper into the day’s topic.

ePortfolio Project

Over the course of the semester, we’ll guide you through the steps of creating a personal ePortfolio, your own professional webpage showcasing your potential and future in space. Components of the ePortfolio assignment include making connections with professionals on campus and envisioning your own pathway to space.

Video Capsules

Pathway to Space is a flipped course, meaning that course content is provided through videos instead of in-class lectures. Before each class, you’ll watch a custom video lesson from our upcoming faculty, industry, or government special guest and complete the in-video quiz for credit. Want a sneak peek? Check out the entire collection of Pathway to Space instructional videos.