The DREAM BIG program is an innovative aerospace education initiative hosted by NearSpace Education to engage students in hands-on STEM experiences related to CubeSats, ThinSats, and high-altitude balloon experiments. Through mentorship, project-based learning, and industry collaboration, students gain real-world aerospace experience while developing skills in satellite engineering, programming, and data analysis A key deliverable of the program is the launch of student-designed ThinSats into space, providing participants with an authentic satellite development experience and exposure to real-world mission operations. Participants, including middle school, high school, and early college students, work in teams to design space-related experiments and engineering projects. These student-built ThinSats are deployed to collect scientific data and telemetry, allowing participants to analyze real satellite transmissions from orbit. DREAM BIG builds a pathway for students to enter STEM careers, contributing to the future of aerospace and space exploration.

Kevin L. Simmons is a professional aerospace educator, specializing in the intersection of authentic aerospace and equity in education. He is the founder of BLUECUBE Aerospace, Inc., and the Wolfpack CubeSat Development Team (WCDT), as well as the co-creator of the Aerospace and Innovation Academy, Inc. (AIA) and the successful SmallSat Education Conference. As principal Investigator Simmons and his 11- to 18-year-old Wolfpack students have launched three spacecraft to date and will launch their 4th later this year. Active in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, he is the Region II Deputy Director for Public Policy and serves on both the AIAA SmallSat and Education Technical Committees. He's a former Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator, past president of the Florida Association for the Gifted, and an ambassador or liaison in numerous aerospace education entities. His most recent national awards are the Christa McAuliffe Space Educator Award, induction into the National Space Council Space Worker Hall of Fame, the AIAA Trailblazing STEM Educator Award, the AIAA Foundation Educator Achievement Award, and the Space Force Association Award for Leadership in Education. Simmons earned degrees in Biochemistry, Chemistry, and a Master’s degree in Space Studies - Aerospace Science.

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