The U.S. Department of Education and four
nonprofit space organizations are spotlighting
the benefits of space and STEM career opportunities
WASHINGTON, April 17,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Women in Aerospace (WIA), the
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), Club for
the Future, and Space Foundation, in partnership with the U.S.
Department of Education, are launching a new national space STEM
awareness campaign, Space4All, that aims to increase understanding
about the benefits of space for life on Earth. The campaign was
first announced on April 8 when Vice
President Kamala Harris issued a
Call to Action to bring the benefits of space to communities across
America. The campaign will spotlight the relevance, impact, and
accessibility of space and highlight pathways to success in
space-related STEM education and careers. There will be a specific
focus on reaching underrepresented communities to ensure equitable,
diverse, and inclusive growth within the space industry.
The five-year public awareness campaign was initiated by the
National Space Council and aligns to the Interagency Roadmap to
Support Space-Related STEM Education and Workforce with the goal to
Inspire, Prepare and Employ a diverse space workforce. The campaign
is now spearheaded through a public-private partnership between the
U.S. Department of Education and these four nonprofit space
organizations. More than 150 additional corporate, federal, and
community-based organizations have joined the campaign as Space
Champions.
As the lead government partner, the U.S. Department of Education
adds expertise in connecting with students and preparing them for
future success. "Our nation prospers when all students know and
understand that they belong in STEM fields and that careers in
space offer boundless opportunities for their success," said U.S.
Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy
Marten.
"The Space4All awareness campaign is historic, inclusive, and
mission-specific – fill the workforce gap in space," said WIA Board
Chair and SAIC Vice President of Business Development
Transformation Bridget Chatman. "WIA
and SAIC are fully committed to working alongside our partners and
the government to develop a STEM- and space-literate nation. We
will continue to lead by addressing the student pipeline and
workforce gaps that our nation faces today in real and impactful
ways."
AIAA CEO Dan Dumbacher stressed
the timeliness of this initiative, pointing out that, "By 2025, the
U.S. STEM workforce will need 3.5 million new workers. We need to
attract all of the brightest minds to join this exciting industry,
especially from traditionally underrepresented communities. Today,
only 16 percent of aerospace and defense workers are Black and
Hispanic. The aerospace industry can do better, and we must address
the lack of STEM-literate workers immediately with long-term
solutions."
"Our mission at Club for the Future is to inspire and mobilize
future generations to pursue STEM careers to harness space for the
benefit of Earth. We're excited to partner with likeminded
organizations to create opportunities for students to join the
future space workforce," said Michael
Edmonds, President of Blue Origin's Club for the
Future.
"This is a pivotal moment for the space industry," added
Heather Pringle, CEO of the Space
Foundation. "Commercial and government space entities face a
complex and demanding future, with an accelerating space economy
coupled with a shrinking talent pool and fierce competition for
individuals with the right skills and experience. When we also
consider the declining number of students pursuing STEM degrees, we
need all hands on deck. Space Foundation is proud to collaborate
with the Space4All campaign to raise awareness of our ongoing
efforts and amplify our recent partnership with Space Workforce
2030 so we include more audiences in the many exciting
opportunities throughout the space industry."
Corporate champions are including the Space4All message in their
ongoing activities and community outreach. The campaign is also
attracting commercial champions that are not traditionally involved
in space, including BET News and Documentaries and 23XI Racing,
among others. Early efforts will bring an immediate boost to
visibility and reach for the campaign.
- On April 21, Leidos, 23XI Racing, and AIAA will help
promote Space4All during the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500
at Talladega, introducing the campaign to a crowd of approximately
100,000 at the track and 4.5M viewing
the broadcast.
- On May 3, National Space Day,
fourth and fifth grade classes across the country can join in
exploring the wonders of space through a 45-minute broadcast
through YouTube at 1 p.m. ET, supported by a special
curriculum packet and educational materials. This event, led by
Space Workforce 2030, will include a Q&A between kids and
America's space experts.
In addition, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the
Association of Science and Technology Centers will be key champions
in reaching students and families across the country, especially
those in underrepresented communities. Boys & Girls Clubs serve
3.3 million young people each year, and ASTC represents more than
600 museums and science centers that engage more than 110 million
people annually. The Space4All campaign and its corporate champions
will work with these and numerous other nonprofit organizations to
offer support and resources to increase focus on space STEM content
and hands-on activities.
The campaign will also work with influencers and celebrities to
further the reach of the Space4All message. Notable names include
Emily Calandrelli (The Space Gal),
Leland Melvin, Maynard Okereke (Hip Hop MD), Dr. Sian Proctor, and William Darrell "Bubba"
Wallace Jr.
Dr. Sian Proctor, Inspiration4
mission pilot and first Black woman to pilot a spacecraft, helped
launch the campaign with this video. As the Space4All movement
accelerates, resources and events will be added to the campaign
website, Space4All.us.
Contact: Rebecca Gray,
rebeccag@aiaa.org
About Space4All
Space4All is a national space STEM
awareness campaign, managed through a public-private partnership
between the U.S. Department of Education and four nonprofit
organizations – Women in Aerospace, American Institute of
Aeronautics and Astronautics, Blue Origin's Club for the Future,
and Space Foundation. Space4All was developed around these
essential themes:
- Space holds the keys to solving global challenges, discovering
life-changing scientific breakthroughs, and creating leading-edge
technologies that revolutionize life here on Earth.
- Space is an important part of our lives, our communities, and
our future.
- Space offers inspiring and financially rewarding careers for
all types of skills and occupations including scientists,
engineers, software developers, architects, physicians, machinists,
technicians, welders, seamstresses, fashion designers, financial
professionals, and many more.
For more information, visit Space4All.us.
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SOURCE AIAA American Institute of Aeronautics and
Astronautics