NASA STEM Engagement: Inspiring the Next Generation of Explorers

Concurrent Session 1
Streamed Session

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Brief Abstract

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) invests in endeavors in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) engagement, providing exciting and compelling learning experiences for students across our nation. With contributions from NASA’s mission directorates, centers, and functional organizations, the STEM engagement portfolio comprises a diverse set of activities, and products designed to engage and educate students, and to support educators and educational institutions. Through these efforts, NASA makes vital contributions to federal education goals to build a strong foundation for STEM literacy, prepare the STEM workforce of the future, and increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM

Presenters

Lead Presenter: Mike Kincaid, NASA

As associate administrator, Kincaid oversees strategic direction and leadership of NASA’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) engagement function, which attracts and supports the involvement of students in the realization of NASA’s unique missions. Kincaid’s office engages America’s educators, students and institutions in these unique missions, contributing to NASA’s mission success, as well as the nation’s overall STEM education ecosystem. Kincaid chairs NASA's STEM Engagement Council, which integrates, oversees and assesses NASA’s STEM engagement functions and activities agencywide. Kincaid is also co-chair of Federal Coordination in STEM Education (FC-STEM), a multiagency committee focused on coordinating and enhancing STEM education efforts across the federal government. In addition, Kincaid is NASA’s representative on the International Space Education Board (ISEB) and serves as the 2019 ISEB chair. He leads global collaboration in space education between 10 countries. ISEB shares best practices and unites efforts to foster interest in space, science and technology among students worldwide. Kincaid has served NASA for more than 30 years. He first joined NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, Texas, as an intern in 1987, and has led JSC organizations in various capacities including Director of Education, Deputy Director of Human Resources, and Deputy Chief Financial Officer. Prior to taking his current position, Kincaid was the Director of External Relations at JSC, where his office interacted with several stakeholders from across the country. Kincaid has a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M, an MBA from University of Houston, Clear Lake, and is happily married with three wonderful children. He is passionate about the impact of STEM engagement and his role in leading the agency’s efforts to engage the nation in NASA’s missions.

Extended Abstract

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) invests in endeavors in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) engagement, providing exciting and compelling learning experiences for students across our nation. With contributions from NASA’s mission directorates, centers, and functional organizations, the STEM engagement portfolio comprises a diverse set of activities and products designed to engage and educate students, and to support educators and educational institutions. Through these efforts, NASA makes vital contributions to federal education goals to build a strong foundation for STEM literacy, prepare the STEM workforce of the future, and increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM. In this session, you will learn about NASA STEM Engagement’s efforts to broaden student participation and the many resources, opportunities, and activities available to students, educators, and institutions.

NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement is accountable for the implementation of NASA’s $127M appropriated program comprising four projects: Space Grant, Minority University Research and Education Project, Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, and Next Gen STEM. These four projects invest in a variety of endeavors, including a spectrum of student opportunities and direct support to students, universities, and educational institutions, including museums and other informal education organizations.

Space Grant: Space Grant works to expand opportunities for students to participate in NASA’s aeronautics and space projects by supporting science and engineering education, research, and outreach efforts. Space Grant is a national network of 52 Consortia with over 1,000 affiliate members involving colleges and universities across the country. Space Grant stimulates cooperative programs among universities; industry; and federal, state, and local governments. It encourages interdisciplinary education and research programs while also incorporating state priorities, needs, and goals.

The Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP): MUREP provides financial assistance via competitive awards to minority-serving institutions, or MSIs. These opportunities are available to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions (ANNHs), American Indian Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions (NASNTIs), Predominately Black Institutions (PBIs), and others. MUREP investments enhance the research, academic, and technology capabilities of MSIs through multiyear cooperative agreements. Awards assist faculty and students in research and provide authentic STEM engagement opportunities related to NASA missions, affording NASA-specific knowledge and skills to students from groups that have historically been underrepresented and underserved in STEM.

Next Generation (Next Gen) STEM: The Next Gen STEM project provides a platform for students to contribute to NASA’s endeavors in exploration and discovery through mission-driven activities, evidence-based education products, and authentic STEM experiences. With its primary focus on K-12 and informal education, Next Gen STEM aims to help attract and retain students toward building a vibrant next-generation STEM workforce, focusing on reaching underrepresented and underserved populations. Next Gen STEM conducts competitive opportunities for informal educational institutions through Teams Engaging Affiliated Museums and Informal Institutions (TEAM II). Next Gen STEM operates the Museum and Informal Education (MIE) Alliance, which offers learning institutions educational resources and services.

The Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR): EPSCoR establishes partnerships with government, higher education, and industry that are designed to effect sustainable improvements in research infrastructure, research and development capacity, and competitiveness in eligible jurisdictions. EPSCoR is directed at those jurisdictions that have not participated equably in competitive research and development activities. Twenty-five states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam currently participate. Five federal agencies, including NASA, conduct EPSCoR programs.