2020: Kaci Heins

*Photo credits of Heins’ experience at the 36th Space Symposium to Space Foundation and Kaci Heins

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Feb. 20, 2020) — Kaci Heins, Space Center University Director at Space Center Houston, has been selected to receive the 2020 Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award.

The award, named for Mercury and Apollo astronaut Alan Shepard, is presented jointly by the Space Foundation, the Astronauts Memorial Foundation (AMF), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), in recognition of creative and innovative use of technology by K–12 educators, or district-level education personnel.

Heins’ selection for this honor was based on her impressive legacy of achievements, which includes her work as Space Center University Director at Space Center Houston in Houston, Tex, where she currently develops innovative mission-based content and oversees immersive education programs such as Space Center University®, Stars & STEM, as well as many other programs and special events. Heins is instrumental in developing authentic learning experiences to inspire the next generation of explorers. She has also established an intern program for Space Center Houston’s education department.

Prior to her time at Space Center Houston, Heins had a distinguished teaching career, during which she was recognized as 2015 Arizona Science Teachers Association Middle School Teacher of the Year, 2014 Flagstaff STEM City Teacher of the Year, and 2014 Air Force Association National Aerospace Teacher of the Year, among other honors.

In addition to the numerous teaching accolades Kaci has received, she was also recipient of the 2017 Space Center Houston Education Leadership Award and the 2016 PBS Digital Learning Media Innovator award.

Her many STEM-related presentations and speaking engagements have included recent appearances as a keynote speaker at the 2019 Society of Women Engineers Houston Chapter’s “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day,” and the 2019 Arizona Science Teachers Association Conference.

In addition to being a Space Foundation Teacher Liaison, Heins is affiliated with the National Rocketry Association, the NASA JPL Solar System Ambassadors program, the Association of Science and Technology Centers, and she is an alumna of NOAA’s Teachers at Sea program.

Heins graduated Magna Cum Laude from Southeast Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, Emphasis in Science, and Summa Cum Laude with a Master of Arts degree, Major in Secondary Education, Emphasis in Technology, Southeast Missouri State.

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