WASHINGTON, March 28,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA is awarding approximately
$3.7 million to 17 museums, science
centers, and other informal education institutions as part of an
initiative to ignite STEM excitement. The money will go toward
projects that inspire students and their learning support systems
to take an active role in the wonder of science, technology,
engineering, and math.
"We're excited to grow the community of informal education
organizations through these awards," said Torry Johnson, deputy associate administrator of
STEM Engagement Programs at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "These organizations bring the
excitement of STEM and spaceflight to students where they are,
helping us inspire the Artemis Generation of future explorers and
innovators. These awards are a real catalyst for partnerships that
connect STEM education and NASA's missions to communities across
the nation."
Projects were selected for NASA's Teams Engaging Affiliated
Museums and Informal Institutions (TEAM II) program and TEAM II
Community Anchor Awards. Both are funded through NASA's Next
Generation STEM project, which supports kindergarten to grade 12
students, caregivers, and formal and informal educators in engaging
the Artemis Generation in the agency's missions and discoveries.
The selected projects will particularly engage students from
underserved communities in a variety of STEM learning opportunities
including exhibits, mentorship, educational content, and hands-on
activities.
TEAM II Awards
NASA's vision for TEAM II is to enhance the capability of informal
education institutions to host NASA-based learning activities while
increasing the institutions' capacity to bring NASA resources to
students. The agency has selected four institutions to receive
approximately $3.2 million in
cooperative agreements for projects they will implement during the
next three to four years.
The selected institutions and their proposed projects are:
- Franklin Institute, Philadelphia: NASA's Next Advocates:
Connecting Youth to NASA Through a Co-Created Near-Peer Mentorship
Program
- WEX Foundation, San Antonio:
New Worlds Await You - Next Generation
- Astrobotic Foundation, Pittsburgh: Cosmic Careers from the Earth to
the Moon
- EcoExploratorio, Inc., San Juan,
Puerto Rico – Innovative Space Learning Activities Center:
Living On and Beyond Earth
Community Anchor Awards
The designation as a Community
Anchor recognizes institutions as locations that will bring NASA
STEM and space science to students and families in traditionally
underserved areas. The agency has selected 13 institutions to
receive approximately $510,000 in
grants to help make these one-to-two-year projects a reality,
enhancing the local impact and strengthening their ability to build
sustainable connections between their communities and NASA.
The selected institutions and their proposed projects are:
- Exploration Works, Helena,
Montana: Moon to Mars to Montana
- Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich,
Vermont: Empowerment Through Climate Action
- Intrepid Museum Foundation, Inc., New
York: NASA Explore Days
- Discovery Place, Inc., Charlotte,
North Carolina: NASA Community Space Stations
- The Discovery Museum, Bridgeport,
Connecticut: Using Community Science to Engage
Underrepresented Youth in Authentic STEM Engagement and
Research
- Museum of Discovery and Science, Inc., Fort Lauderdale, Florida: Delivering NASA STEM
Education Programs to Underserved Communities in Broward County
- GrowingGreat, Manhattan Beach,
California: Food in Space and in the City: Teens Tackle Food
Security in Their Los Angeles Community
- Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland: Expanding STEM/Astronomy Learning
to Underserved Youth Communities
- Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, McMinnville, Oregon: Spaced Out! Fostering
STEM Literacy in Students Grades 5 to 8: Through Immersive Space
Science Learning Experiences
- Ocean County College, Toms River, New Jersey: Family on Campus Using
Science
- San Diego Air & Space Museum, San
Diego: Imagine the Future of Space
- FL Newspaper in Educ Coordinator, Deerfield Beach, Florida: Increasing STEM
Engagement Among Underserved Youth in Tampa Bay, Florida
- STEM Advancement, Inc., Pinola,
Mississippi: Equipping and Inspiring Rural Students with
Space–Related Experience
Next Gen STEM is a project within NASA's Office of STEM
Engagement, which develops unique resources and experiences to
spark student interest in STEM and build a skilled and diverse next
generation workforce.
For the latest NASA STEM events, activities, and news,
visit:
https://stem.nasa.gov
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SOURCE NASA