NASA’s Role in STEM
NASA seeks to enhance Americans’ understanding of our agency’s accomplishments
in human space flight, innovation, and scientific research. As such, we partner with
universities and national educational programs-nurturing and equipping a future
workforce that will lead us into another 100 successful years.
Adhering to the President’s memorandum, Goal #6 attracting and retaining top
talent, NASA diligently encourages and inspires younger generations and minorities
to express interest in STEM disciplines. Summer/ Fall internship programs at each
NASA center and various initiatives such as partnering with the Badges for Lifelong
Learning event in Sept. 2011, NASA Summer of Innovation, and NASA Kid’s Club
demonstrate NASA’s commitment to finding new ways to use its missions and
programs to inspire learners.
There are over 20 programs offered to students in grades K-12 and higher geared to
STEM education and opportunities at NASA’s various Centers.
Obama’s Statement on Education
NASA is doing its part in supporting President Obama’s “Educate to Innovate”
campaign. However, the challenges that we currently face are daunting, but not
permanent. In the 2006 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)
comparison, American students ranked 21st out of 30 in science literacy and 25th out
of 30 in math literacy compared to students from developing countries. Here lies an
opportunity for NASA to play an integral role in improving these numbers and
increasing students’ interest. We have excellent school districts, teachers, and eager
students within our communities. Building bridges and encouraging them to
participate in NASA internships and programs is key.
At Goddard Space Flight Center, for example, we extend STEM education
opportunities to underrepresented groups, including African Americans and
women. During the summer 2011 internship program my organization welcomed
13 students from the HBCU, Tuskegee University to gain hands-on experience with
cloud computing and application development. One of which is promised a full-time
Co-Op position in the Science and Exploration Directorate pending graduation in
May 2012. The other students are encouraged to apply for another internship
opportunity at GSFC via OSSI, a tool that GSFC and HQ collaborated to build.
What does collaboration mean to you
Collaboration means building strategic partnerships across various disciplines to
achieve one mission. The ability to build partnerships is a key success factor for any
organization. During my tenure with NASA, I have worked to ensure that my
organization, The Information Technology and Communications Directorate,
collaborates with all directorates on Center to ensure that we are all taking part in
achieving the Center’s mission. These collaborative efforts are also apparent as I am
relying on these organizations and our partnerships to help achieve goals and
implement initiatives set forth in my Strategic Implementation Plan for IT.
During this economic climate, we are working with fewer resources in terms of
finances and workforce power, but if we partner, we can pool what available
resources we do have and do big things.
As it relates to STEM education, we can utilize incoming interns to leverage their
skills and capabilities to bring new and innovative ideas to the table. They can teach
seasoned professionals more modernized practices and techniques. In return the
seasoned workforce can instill knowledge, best practices, and lessons learned.
Questions for panelists:
1. How do you use your role within your organization to influence STEM
education?
2. What challenges do you foresee when seeking to encourage students’ interests
in STEM disciplines?
3. In aligning with the President’s goal “Attracting and Retaining Top Talent” What
are ways that we can foster career growth and encourage knowledge sharing for
fresh outs and new hires once hired in to NASA or any other Federal agencies?
4. Outreach and communications is key to attracting new hires, what are you doing
to communicate the benefits of STEM careers to students?
5. How do you use your leadership role outside of your organization to influence
and promote STEM disciplines?
6. What cultural shifts do you expect to see in the next 10-15 years as we continue
to hire digital natives and tech savvy early career employees?
7. How can we build partnerships with more HBCUs in our surrounding areas?