The Smithsonian NESST Latin American Teacher Ambassadors 2027 programme brings together educators from Latin America to strengthen STEM teaching, explore complex global challenges and develop innovative, sustainable classroom approaches through an 11-month virtual programme.
The Smithsonian NESST Latin American Teacher Ambassadors 2027 programme is an international professional development opportunity for educators interested in transforming STEM education and helping students engage with complex scientific and social challenges.
Organised by the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) as part of the Network for Emergent Socio-Scientific Thinking (NESST), the programme was designed to connect teachers across Latin America and create a collaborative community focused on educational innovation, sustainability and socio-scientific thinking.
The programme is conducted virtually and is delivered in Spanish, allowing participating educators to collaborate across borders while continuing their professional and classroom responsibilities.
It is important to note that the Smithsonian source currently lists the 2026–2027 Latin American Teacher Ambassador programme as closed, stating that the maximum number of applications had been reached. The programme described below therefore relates to the announced 2026–2027 cohort rather than a currently open application cycle.
NESST stands for the Network for Emergent Socio-Scientific Thinking, a global network directed by the Smithsonian Science Education Center. The network brings together young people, educational innovators, business leaders, STEM professionals, organisations and communities interested in rethinking STEM education for a sustainable future.
Within NESST, the Smithsonian Science Education Center operates several ambassador programmes, including opportunities for youth, teachers and scientists.
The Latin American Teacher Ambassador Programme was created for educators who want to explore local and global challenges through scientific perspectives and introduce more innovative approaches into their teaching. Participants become advisers, collaborators and implementers contributing to the work of NESST.
For the 2026–2027 programme, the Smithsonian planned to involve 25 international K–12 educators, with particular emphasis on teachers from Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Brazil and Panama.
The programme runs virtually, making it possible for educators in different Latin American countries to participate without relocating.
Programme Benefits
Being selected as a NESST Teacher Ambassador provides professional development and networking opportunities designed to strengthen both classroom practice and broader educational leadership.
Participants can benefit from membership in a community of educators who share an interest in shaping the future of education. The programme also provides opportunities to collaborate with teachers from across Latin America and exchange ideas about innovative approaches to education.
Another important benefit is exposure to research-informed educational resources, curricula and best practices. Participants can gain experience using tools and materials intended to strengthen teaching practice and support the development of more relevant learning experiences.
Teacher Ambassadors are also expected to play an active role in developing and testing innovative educational content. This gives educators an opportunity to contribute ideas and help shape new practices rather than simply receiving conventional training.
The programme can also expand participants’ professional networks by connecting them with experts working in science, sustainability and socio-scientific issues.
Programme Structure
The announced Teacher Ambassador programme covers an 11-month period from June 2026 through April 2027.
The proposed timetable includes several stages.
June–July 2026: Introduction and Orientation
The programme begins with an orientation period designed to introduce participants to NESST and establish the foundations for collaboration throughout the programme.
August–September 2026: Professional Development
Participants take part in professional development focused on Smithsonian Science for Global Goals, connecting scientific learning with complex real-world issues.
October–December 2026: Community of Practice
During this stage, participating educators work on building a community of practice. The emphasis is on collaboration, knowledge-sharing and developing collective approaches to educational challenges.
December 2026–April 2027: Project Group Work
Participants move into project-based collaboration, working in groups to develop and advance educational ideas and approaches.
March–April 2027: Preparing for the Future
The final phase focuses on preparing participants to continue applying and expanding what they have learned beyond the formal programme.
All programme meetings and communications are conducted in Spanish.
Qualifications
Education
The programme is intended for primary and secondary school educators, broadly covering the K–12 education environment.
Teachers from different subject areas can be considered, as the programme is not restricted exclusively to conventional science teachers. The emphasis is on educators who are interested in incorporating complex socio-scientific issues into classroom learning.
Professional Commitment
Applicants are expected to demonstrate a genuine commitment to exploring local and global challenges through a scientific perspective. The Smithsonian also seeks educators who are motivated to collaborate, experiment with new teaching approaches and contribute to educational innovation.
Participants must be prepared to represent their communities within an international professional forum and share perspectives and experiences with educators from other countries.
Language
Fluency in Spanish is required, because all meetings and programme communications are conducted in Spanish.
Availability
Participants need to be able to dedicate approximately 10 hours per month to NESST activities during the school year.
They must also be available for the full 11-month commitment from June 2026 to April 2027.
Who Should Consider This Programme?
The NESST Teacher Ambassador opportunity is particularly relevant to educators who see education as a tool for addressing complex problems such as sustainability and other scientific and societal challenges.
Strong candidates would be teachers who are comfortable collaborating with peers, experimenting with new educational ideas and connecting classroom learning to real-world issues.
The programme may also be valuable for teachers seeking international professional networks and experience working with educators from across Latin America.
Because the programme is virtual, participants can undertake the experience without moving to the United States or another country.
Application Status
The Smithsonian Science Education Center currently marks the Latin American Teacher Ambassador Programme 2026–2027 as closed. The official page explains that the organisation reached the maximum number of applications and encourages people interested in future opportunities to follow the Smithsonian Science Education Center’s events page.
This means prospective applicants should not interpret the programme as accepting new applications for the announced 2026–2027 cohort.
Educators interested in future Smithsonian NESST opportunities should monitor the official Smithsonian Science Education Center channels for announcements concerning subsequent Teacher Ambassador cohorts and related professional development programmes.
Additional Information
The programme forms part of the Smithsonian Science Education Center’s wider work to strengthen STEM education and create networks involving educators, young people, professionals and communities.
Its focus on socio-scientific thinking is particularly relevant to educators seeking ways to help students understand problems that cannot be addressed through a single academic discipline. By encouraging collaboration, innovation and connections between scientific thinking and societal challenges, the programme aims to support educators working toward a more sustainable future.
For Latin American teachers, the international network aspect is also significant. Participants have the opportunity to exchange ideas across national boundaries and contribute perspectives shaped by their own local communities and educational environments.
Final Thoughts
The Smithsonian NESST Latin American Teacher Ambassadors 2027 programme represents a distinctive professional development opportunity for educators interested in STEM innovation, sustainability and complex socio-scientific issues.
The announced programme was designed for 25 K–12 educators, particularly from Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Brazil and Panama, and operated virtually from June 2026 to April 2027. Participants were expected to dedicate around 10 hours per month, collaborate with educators throughout Latin America and participate in professional development, community-building and project work.
For educators considering future cohorts, the strongest preparation would be to develop a clear interest in educational innovation, demonstrate a willingness to collaborate internationally and identify meaningful ways to connect scientific and social challenges with classroom practice.
The current Smithsonian page confirms that the 2026–2027 application process is closed, so applicants should rely on future official announcements for the next intake rather than assuming that the existing application remains available.
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