| For almost 50 years, NASA has
explored many frontiers leading to new horizons of opportunity. Now, as
NASA implements the Vision for Space Exploration, which will carry humans
back to the moon, on to Mars and beyond, NASA Education is working to
lay the groundwork that will make this ongoing journey possible.
The Vision calls for a program of exploration that will continue for
decades, requiring the dedication and ingenuity not only of the scientists
and engineers of today, but of generations to come. To ensure those future
explorers will be ready to continue the journey, NASA is working with
one of its most vital partners -- educators.
NASA recognizes the importance of educators' contributions in making
our work possible, and we are dedicated to supporting them in the disciplines
of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (also referred to
as STEM). NASA provides formal and informal educators unique resources
and development opportunities to strengthen the overall teaching of STEM
subjects. Using the excitement that NASA's missions inspire, we are working
with educators to capture the imagination of students, encouraging them
to become the scientists and engineers that we'll need in the future and
to strengthen the nation's future workforce.
Image to right: NASA's Education Program
strives to engage the public in shaping and sharing the experience of
exploration and discovery. Credit: NASA
NASA Education also aims to attract and retain students in STEM disciplines
through a progression of educational opportunities for students, teachers
and faculty and to build strategic partnerships and linkages between formal
and informal education providers that promote STEM literacy and awareness
of NASA's mission.
Reporting directly to the Chief of Strategic Communications, the
Assistant Administrator for Education is responsible for providing executive
leadership, policy direction, functional management, and coordination
of the Agency's education programs and activities. Working collaboratively,
NASA's Mission Directorates, Centers, and Office of Education will promote
education as an integral component of every major NASA research and development
mission. NASA, along with industry and university engineers and scientists
will share their knowledge and experience as students and educators study
the Earth and the universe using the latest aerospace research methods.
These efforts are accomplished through collaboration among NASA's Office
of Education, Mission Directorates, and Centers; other federal agencies
engaged in education activities; and various public and private partners.
NASA Education is committed to providing opportunities for all children
to explore and experience unique space and aeronautics content, interact
with innovative engineers and scientists, and see state-of-the-art facilities.
The Agency remains steadfast in our commitment to engage underrepresented
and underserved communities of students, educators and researchers in
our education programs.
As NASA Administrator Michael Griffin explained, "The greatest contribution
that NASA makes in educating the next generation of Americans is by providing
worthy endeavors for which students will be inspired to study difficult
subjects like math, science and engineering because they too share the
dream of exploring the cosmos."
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