THS Teacher Jessica Schilder Selected to Participate in Rare Space for Teachers Opportunity

TOMBALL - Tomball High School science teacher Jessica Schilder has been selected as one of only 12 educators nationwide to participate in the 2025-2026 Embedded Teacher Program (ETP), offered by Space for Teachers. This honor recognizes teachers who bring leadership and a deep commitment to giving students opportunities that extend beyond the classroom.

As part of the program, Schilder will personally fly aboard the nation’s only zero-gravity aircraft, the same platform used by NASA, universities, and aerospace companies for authentic microgravity research and astronaut training. 

“Jessica Schilder brings an incredible passion for astronomy and space science to Tomball High School and inspires students through innovative, hands-on learning,” said Dave Surdovel, TISD Director of Math and Science. “Her dedication not only elevates our science programs but also shows our students that big dreams, like exploring space, are within reach.”

According to Space for Teacher, during the flight, the specially modified  Boeing 727 performs 30 parabolas, each with ~20 seconds of weightlessness, totaling nearly 11 minutes in total. While on board, Schilder will conduct an experiment designed by her students and aligned to aerospace research priorities. This rare opportunity will allow students to see their work put to the test in real spaceflight conditions.

Also as part of this program during the school year, Schilder will:

• Attend a microgravity workshop at the University of Texas at Austin Center for Space Research in November to connect microgravity research to classroom learning and begin shaping a student-centered research project.
• Guide students in developing an experiment that fits classroom goals and aligns with real aerospace research priorities.
• Work with expert mentors through technical design reviews, payload integration, and flight readiness. This will culminate in Schilder personally flying and testing the student experiment in microgravity onboard a parabolic aircraft.

This experience will not only provide a unique opportunity for Schilder but will provide students the opportunity to see their own experiments tested in microgravity, while gaining exposure to the same processes and challenges faced by NASA scientists and engineers.

In addition to Schilder’s rare opportunity through Space for Teachers, she has been actively hosting Star Night parties on the football field where participants can look through telescopes to see stars and constellations. 

ABOUT SPACE FOR TEACHERS
Space for Teachers is a collective of educators dedicated to the idea that real, meaningful research is the most effective strategy to foster lasting student engagement and a deep connection to the world of STEM.

ABOUT TOMBALL ISD
Tomball ISD educates students to become responsible, productive citizens by providing innovative, individually rigorous, and personally valuable educational experiences. Founded in 1908, Tomball ISD now encompasses 83 square miles in northwest Harris County and southwest Montgomery County, and is located approximately 30 miles from downtown Houston. The district currently educates over 23,000 students across 25 campuses.