Bring NASA’s Cosmic Pitch to Your Community for the 2026 World Cup!

By: Dr. Kimberly Kowal Arcand

NASA’s Universe of Learning and NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory invite you to host an engaging, timely science program connected to the upcoming 2026 World Cup in North America: NASA’s Cosmic Pitch.  The program is also evergreen and suitable for youth soccer season(s) in your community.

This project bridges the excitement of soccer with the physics of the Universe. Through striking imagery from the James Webb, Hubble, and Chandra space telescopes and others, Cosmic Pitch explores how the physical principles that drive athletes on Earth—like spin, speed, acceleration, and collisions—also power the cosmos.

We are providing a suite of free resources to help you integrate this program into your library, school, museum, or community space. These include high-resolution posters (English/Spanish), an activity booklet, short looping videos for digital displays, 3D-printable files, and data sonifications/audio experiences.

Whether you are looking to host a family STEAM night, upgrade your lobby displays, or offer daily activities during the World Cup, Cosmic Pitch offers an accessible way to inspire curiosity. If you are interested in bringing these free NASA resources to your community, please explore the materials at chandra.si.edu/cosmicpitch/ or reach out directly to Dr. Kimberly Arcand at <kkowal@cfa.harvard.edu> and Wendy Fernandez for a set of posters at <wendy.fernandez@cfa.harvard.edu>. We look forward to partnering with you to score a goal for community science engagement!