Surrounded by our protective atmosphere and magnetosphere, we on Earth have been shielded from the worst aspects of severe space weather for millennia. But with our increasing daily dependence on sophisticated advanced technologies, like near-Earth orbiting satellites, GPS, and the incredibly complex power distribution grids, we are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of severe space weather. Likewise, as we and other countries lead efforts to become a space-faring civilization, our understanding of the space environment will be the difference between mission success and failure. Dr. Thomas Bogdan, director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s Space Weather Prediction Center, will cover these and many other aspects of how space weather will affect our national security and global economic prosperity during this exciting lecture, discussion and hands-on activities for all ages.