GCCC Instructor Elisa Mai Recognized for Leadership in NASA STEM Education Ambassador Program
Garden City Community College (GCCC) Associate Professor of Crop Production Technology Elisa Mai has been recognized by NASA for her leadership and participation in the 2026 NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) STEM Education Ambassador Program.
The program provides STEM (science, technology, education, and math) educators with specialized training, resources, and professional development opportunities to incorporate NASA science and research into their classrooms and communities.
During the 2026 program year, Mai participated in more than 20 hours of instruction focused on NASA research priorities, Earth science missions, remote sensing technology, and educational resources. She also collaborated with fellow educators and NASA subject matter experts through a virtual professional learning community.
Supported by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Sciences and Exploration Directorate through its STELLA program, the initiative equips educators to integrate NASA resources into their curriculum and expand STEM learning opportunities in their schools and communities.
Mai's participation builds on GCCC's efforts to connect agricultural education with emerging technologies. In Fall 2025, she led the pilot Technology in Agriculture (AGRO-111) course, developed in collaboration with NASA Acres and Kansas State University. Students explored satellite data, geospatial analysis, and crop-monitoring technologies, applying their knowledge during field visits across Southwest Kansas using STELLA handheld spectrometers and satellite imagery to assess plant health and agricultural conditions.
Mai said her participation in the STEM Ambassador Program provided additional inspiration to continue exploring new teaching methods and prioritize hands-on learning.
“Participating in the program gave me new ideas and perspectives that I could incorporate into my teaching. It reinforced the value of hands-on learning and finding creative ways to help students connect classroom concepts with real-world applications,” Mai said.
The experience supports GCCC's commitment to providing students with practical skills that align with the evolving needs of the agricultural industry. As technology continues to shape modern crop production, exposure to satellite observations, field analysis, and data-driven decision-making can help students prepare for careers that combine agriculture, science, and technology.
For more information about GCCC's Crop Production Technology program, visit the GCCC Website or contact Elisa Mai at elisa.mai@gcccks.edu.
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Garden City Community College exists to produce positive contributors to the economic and social well-being of society.