Innovative planetarium shows and travelling museum exhibits are among nine projects which NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) has chosen to receive agency funding this year.

Its Competitive Program for Science Museums and Planetariums will provide US$7m (£4.8m) in grants to improve educational outreach related to space exploration, aeronautics, space science, Earth science and microgravity. This year's grants range from around US$177,000 (£122,409) to US$1.25m (£864,468) and have a maximum five-year performance period.

The projects are situated in Arizona, Connecticut, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Ohio,Utah and Washington and all will work with NASA's Shared Service Center in Mississippi to complete the business review necessary before a NASA award is issued. All will partner with NASA's Museum Alliance, an Internet-based, national network of more than 400 science and nature centers, planetariums, museums, aquariums, zoos and related organizations.

The projects will provide both the public and teachers with NASA-inspired space, science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning opportunities. US Congress initiated the Competitive Program for Science Museums and Planetariums in 2008. The first group of projects began in 2009.