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The federally mandated NASA National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program (Space Grant) completed its first five years of
operation in 1994 with an extensive review of the 52 state consortia and the national program.* Based on results of the review,
this strategic plan sets national priorities for the second five-year funding period in three areas: education, research, and
public service.
These priorities incorporate elements of the NASA Strategic Plan, the NASA Education Division Strategic Plan, the Space Grant
Program Directors' Mission to America, the NASA Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), the NASA/
University Joint Ventures (JOVE) program, and the Nation's education goals.
The purposes of this plan are
To summarize national Space Grant priorities as derived from NASA's vision, mission, priorities, and strategic enterprises.
To suggest the development of initiatives that support both national and state priorities.
Using the national Space Grant program priorities as guidelines, each Space Grant consortium should continue to develop
and implement programs that support their state's economic and educational objectives. Consortia may also wish to
consider the needs of local and regional communities.
Texas Space Grant student enjoys an inverted moment while weightless aboard the NASA KC-135 Microgravity Simulator
aircraft in the summer of 1995.
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Space Grant Education Priorities
Although precollege education has received a great deal of national attention for several years, undergraduate education has
become an increasingly important focus in university initiatives. Both the National Research Council (NRC) and the National
Science Foundation (NSF) are conducting comprehensive reviews of undergraduate mathematics, science, engineering, and technology
education. Topics under examination include teacher preparation, classroom teaching, research opportunities for undergraduates,
and interdisciplinary curricula. Further, a 1994 report by the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) called for
engineering schools to form new partnerships with all levels of educational institutions, industry, and government. Such
partnerships should help to make engineering education more relevant and subsequently more attractive to students. In the
science community, general science literacy and introductory courses for non- science majors have been subjects of concern.
Consequently, Space Grant will emphasize undergraduate education during the next funding period with these priorities:
Provide undergraduate training through the mechanism of fellowship and scholarship awards. Emphasize awards with
effective student research and mentoring components, for example, with NASA Field Centers and industry.
Stress development of interdisciplinary courses and curriculum, including introductory courses designed for undergraduate
students not majoring in scientific or technological disciplines.
Enhance precollege teacher education (preservice) programs through collaboration among education, science, and engineering
disciplines. Place emphasis on coordination with existing state and local systemic reform efforts and with state science,
mathematics, and technology coalitions. Forge cooperative partnerships with informal education vehicles such as science
and technology museums, 4-H clubs, and forestry services.
Develop community college initiatives, for example, high technology and distance learning projects, career retraining,
and the development of new technical courses such as geographic information systems, global positioning satellite systems,
or automated mapping.
Focus on involving women, underrepresented groups, and persons with disabilities in all aspects of education, including
fellowship awards, curriculum development, and degree programs in scientific and technical fields.
Develop instructional technology, technology transfer, and other technological courses that use emerging NASA-developed
technology.
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