NASA is awarding approximately $3 million in grants to three
informal education organizations to help inspire the next generation in
science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) studies and careers as the
agency progresses on its Journey to Mars.
The selected organizations are:
·
Girlstart, Inc., of
Austin, Texas
·
NASA Wallops Visitor
Center in Wallops Island, Virginia
·
Wings of Eagles
Discovery Center in Horseheads, New York
The selected projects will create a new Mars exploration exhibit,
offer educator professional development on space science topics and engineering
technology, pilot Mars-themed lesson plans in regional school districts, expand
regional afterschool and summer camp opportunities, and develop community
programs related to space exploration.
“Museums and out-of-school time providers are in a unique position
to provide STEM engagement through hands-on experiences," said Roosevelt
Johnson, deputy associate administrator for NASA's Office of Education in
Washington. “NASA supports experiences that engage with STEM topics in
personally meaningful ways.”
The proposals were selected through a peer-review process for
NASA’s Competitive Program for Science Museums, Planetariums and NASA Visitor
Centers Plus Other Opportunities. In June, NASA announced the first nine
proposals selected from the 73 applications received through this opportunity.
The newly-selected projects range in value from approximately $600,000 to $1.25
million. Organizations will implement their proposals over the next one to five
years, depending on their project.
Projects selected this year will extend the reach of these
organizations across the United States through partnerships with other museums,
K-12 and higher education institutions, hospitals and industry to create
exhibits, educational programming and curriculum, and immersive multi-media and
hands-on, inquiry-based activities. The goal of these efforts is to enhance
critical-thinking skills, engineering and science literacy, and prepare the
next generation for careers in STEM fields. Many projects will focus on
providing opportunities to youth in populations that are historically
underrepresented in STEM professions.
The selected organizations will collaborate with NASA's Museum Alliance, a
nationwide network of informal education professionals at more than 700 science
museums, planetariums, Challenger Centers, youth-serving organizations, camps,
libraries, nature centers, aquariums, zoos and visitor centers at NASA
facilities, observatories and parks. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in
Pasadena, California, created and manages the Museum Alliance for the agency.
For more information on the 2015 Competitive Program for Science
Museums, Planetariums and NASA Visitor Centers Plus Other Opportunities, visit:
For more information on NASA's education programs, visit: