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About Us |
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The Link Observatory Space Science Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to informal science education and public engagement programs in NASA missions, astronomy and space exploration.
Our mission is to advance scholastic literacy of future generations with informal STEM education focused on NASA missions, astronomy, and space exploration; and to foster scientific curiosity and advance science literacy to cultivate and nurture the next generation of leaders.
Link Observatory
The historic Link Observatory, located on a hilltop 4 ½ miles south of Mooresville, exists to foster scientific discovery, stimulate an interest in space exploration and cultivate the next generation of science, technology and academic leaders. Completed in 1939, the observatory was built for the private use of Dr. Goethe Link, a noted Indianapolis surgeon, and was given to Indiana University School of Astronomy in 1948. From the 1950s through the mid-1980s it was used by Indiana University for important astronomical research.
Link Observatory Space Science Institute
Founded in 2012, the Link Observatory Space Science Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This magnificent astronomical observatory is now dedicated to providing informal, yet expertly designed, science education to schools and the general public throughout central Indiana. Its mission is to inspire students to pursue studies in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and encourage students in all disciplines to explore and achieve their greatest potential.
Advanced STEM Educational Technologies
Technology plays an important role in providing a delivery mechanism to reach the next generation of leaders to inspire, inform, and encourage them to pursue STEM careers (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). We are committed to the design, development, distribution and deployment of these advanced educational technologies.
These powerful new technologies are enabling new learning environments to be developed that use simulations, visualizations, immersive environments, live conferencing, virtual reality, game-playing and learner networking. These tools are creating rich and compelling learning opportunities, thereby meeting the needs of learners while empowering educators to unlock the potential of a student's mind.
With DiscoverSpace educational programs from the Link Institute, learning is on-demand, meaning that students and educators have access to exactly what they need when they need it. The Link Institute is contributing to the future of education by developing new technologies and new methods for making the exciting discoveries in astronomy and space exploration, and these valuable new educational tools and resources available to students and educators. |
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Goddard Symposium Exhibit
Link Observatory Space Science Institute Showcases STEM Educational Programs in Virtual Reality at the 2016 Goddard Symposium.
The Link Institute was invited to attend the 2016 Goddard Space Symposium in Greenbelt, MD March 8-10, 2016 to showcase our newest educational technologies. Virtual Reality (VR) headsets were provided to all in attendance who experienced the ultimate in immersive educational programming as they walked on the surface of Mars next to the Curiosity Rover in Gale Crater and Pathfinder Rover at Ares Vallis. They also experienced a spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS) as if they were actually there. |
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| A variety of dignitaries attended the Symposium and were able to experience the latest in educational technologies provided by the Link Observatory Space Science Institute. All agreed that these new technologies would make a major impact in STEM education. |
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Jean-Jacques Dordain
Former Director General of the
European Space Agency |
Dr. John Holdren
Senior Advisor on Science and Technology
for President Obama |
Apollo Astronaut Jim Lovell
Gemini 7, Gemini 12, Apollo 8 and Apollo 13 |
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