The Foundation conducts various education, research and public outreach programs that are related to space, aeronautics, aviation and Earth system science. For more information about these programs please contact the Foundation's Executive Director.
Aerospace Education Services Project
The Aerospace Education Services Project (AESP), as one of NASA’s Elementary and Secondary Education Programs, is providing opportunities
in unique NASA learning experiences to teachers, students, administrators, and families. AESP’s primary focus is as a professional
development program that serves the elementary and secondary education community by providing in-service training for teachers,
pre-service training for university students, faculty workshops, classroom demonstrations, distance learning events, and
identification of appropriate classroom resources. The Foundation administers the AESP Impementation Mini-Grant portion of the program
as a subcontractor to the
Center for Science and the Schools at the Pennsylvania State University.
NASA International Year of Astronomy Student Ambassador Program
Partnering with the NASA Science Mission Directorate Office of Education the Foundation administers the
NASA International Year of Astronomy Student Ambassador Program which is designed to encourage undergraduate and graduate students
to participate in NASA's IYA activities and to help generate excitement about NASA scientific discoveries in astrophysics, planetary
science and solar physics within their local communities and beyond. These students will serve as role models to others in the community.
NASA/ESMD Space Grant Paper Award Administration
Partnering with the NASA/KSC Exploration Systems Mission Directorate Education Office the Foundation administers the awards for the
ESMD/Space Grant Systems Engineering Paper Competition. Teams funded to conduct a senior design project through the ESMD Space Grant
program and teams that entered approved national competitions are eligible to submit a Systems Engineering paper.
National Space Grant Distinguished Service Award
In partnership with the National Council of Space Grant Directors the Foundation established the National Space Grant Distinguished Service Award
to recognize individuals whose life and career have had a long lasting impact in a science, engineering or education field that is related to
aeronautic, aviation, or space endeavors. Past award recipients have included former Senator and Secretary of the Treasury Lloyd M. Bentsen,
distinguished scientist Dr. James A. Van Allen, entrepreneur Dr. Peter Diamandis and astronaut John Young.
Pathevo
In Partnership with Owens Software the Foundation is assisting Space Grant programs in adapting the Pathevo software that is
designed to connect individuals with compatible engineering education and career pathways.
Space Grant Services
The Foundation also provides various services to support and enhance the Space Grant network. By enabling the network to work
together in conducting some of its common tasks the NSGF is providing opportunities for each state based program to take advantage
of economies of scale. These services are available to all Space Grant Consortia as well as to other programs that maintain direct
partnerships with Space Grant Consortia. For more information about these programs please contact
Mark Fischer.
- Application System for Fellowships, Scholarships and Other Programs
- Donation Management
- Endowment Management
- Longitudinal Tracking of Award Recipients
- Meeting Registrations, Credit Card Processing, and Payment Administration
- Proposal Submission and Review System
- Website Development/Maintenance/Hosting
Systems Engineering Curriculum Development
Partnering with NASA/JSC and the Texas Space Grant the Foundation is assisting in the development of a System Engineering curriculum
designed to prepare undergraduate students to be able to address NASA's growing need for highly qualified systems engineers.
Systems Engineering Curriculum Workshop
Partnering with NASA/JSC and the Texas Space Grant the Foundation is hosting a System Engineering Workshop for University faculty on
August 5th and 6th at NASA/JSC. The purpose of the workshop is to discuss NASA's need for highly qualified systems engineers and to
disseminate an undergraduate systems engineering curriculum to interested universities operating within NASA’s Space Grant Consortia.
Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Program
The Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS) program is an interactive on-line science, technology, engineering
and mathematics learning experience, highlighted by a six-day residential summer academy at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton,
Virginia. Students selected to participate in the program are immersed in NASA-related research through interaction with scientists,
engineers and technologists. The program is a partnership between the
Virginia Space Grant Consortium and
NASA Langley Research Center with assistance from the
Virginia Department of Education. The Foundation administers the on-line course management system and
the program web site as a subcontractor to the Virginia Space Grant.
