National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Education at NASA Presented at The U. S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce Conference
Employ Educate Engage Inspire
www.nasa.gov
Carolyn Knowles Executive Officer to the Assistant Administrator for Education
The nation that
out-educates us today
will out-compete us
tomorrow. - President Barack Obama Speech to the National Academy of Science April 27, 2009
NASA Education
National STEM Priorities
President Barack Obama Administration Priorities (President Obama’s speech to National Academy of Science, April 27, 2009)
NASA’s Ability to Inspire a Nation Quantity and Quality of Math and Science Teachers Students Prepared for STEM Related Careers Educational Opportunities for Women and Minorities Fellowship and Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs Supporting Future Entrepreneurs Scientific Innovation 3
NASA Education
NASA Priorities
Administrator Charles F. Bolden, Jr.
• Build on our investment in the International Space Station, • Accelerate development of our next generation launch systems to enable expansion of human exploration, • Enhance NASA's capability to study Earth's environment, lead space science to new achievements, • Continue cutting-edge aeronautics research, • Support the innovation of American entrepreneurs, and • Inspire a rising generation of boys and girls to seek careers in science, technology, engineering and math. 4
NASA Education
More Women Need to Enroll in STEM Fields Proportion of Women in Selected College Majors 1999-2000 Bachelor’s Degree Recipients Education
79.3
Psychology
20.7
77.6
Health
22.4
72.9
Social Sciences
27.1
65.1
Humanities
34.9
60.7
39.3
Other
58.4
41.6
Biological Science
58.2
41.8
Social Science
53.2
Business/Management
46.9
45.3
History
54.7
41.1
Math/Physical Sciences
59
39.2
Engineering
60.8
17.7
0%
10%
82.3
20%
Female
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Male
NOTE: Excludes graduates older than 35 at completion of degree. SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, 2001 Baccalaureate and Beyond Longitudinal Study (B&B:01).
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NASA Education
So That They Can Get STEM Jobs Women as a Proportion of Selected STEM Occupations, 2005 Mechanical Engineers
5.8%
Engineering Managers
9.5%
Civil Engineers
13.2%
Aerospace Engineers
13.3%
Chemical Engineers
14.3%
Industrial Engineers
14.9% 21.9%
Computer Software Engineers
26.0%
Computer Programmers
32.3%
Database Administrators Chemists & Materials Scientists
35.3%
Biological Scientists
48.7%
Psychologists
67.3% 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Source: CPST,Professional Women and Minorities. Data derived from U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey 6
NASA Education
Women and NASA Women Employed at NASA 1964 <1% women 1970’s 17% 3% <1%
GS12 or higher
Today 31%
Total workforce S&T NASA workforce Senior Exec Service
Today 35% 22% 25%
NASA’s Higher Education Programs 2004 Nat. Avg. 20.5% 42% 29.1%
Engineering Physical Sciences Math and Computer Science
2008 41%
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NASA Education
Today, We Have THIS!
Now what do we do? How? 8
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NASA Education
NASA Has a Robust Education Plan Strategic Framework Cultivate Diversity of Workforce Disciplines and Practitioners
Higher Education
Outcome 1: Contribute to the development of the STEM workforce in disciplines needed to achieve NASAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strategic goals, through a portfolio of investments.
Employ
Employ Elementary/ Secondary Education
Educate
Educate
Outcome 2: Attract and retain students in STEM disciplines through a progression of educational opportunities for students, teachers and faculty.
Informal Education
Engage
Outcome 3: Build
Engage
strategic partnerships and linkages between STEM formal and informal education providers that promote STEM literacy and awareness of NASAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission.
Inspire Inspire
Principles/ Criteria
Relevance
NASA Content
Diversity
Evaluation
Continuity
Partnerships/ Sustainability
* Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
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NASA Education
Engaging Women and Girls at all Stages Higher Ed STEM Opportunities: •RockOn! •Reduced Gravity flights •NASA and Partner telescopes and observatories (Arecibo, etc.) Higher Ed Opportunities •Student mission activities •Graduate Fellowships •Student Collaborations •NASA IYA Student Ambassadors •Student Suborbital Opportunities
STEM Student Opportunities (K-12) •Student Launch Initiative •FIRST Robotics •High School Internship Programs •Capstone Course for Space Science •GAVRT •Mars Student imaging •MicroObservatory Robotic Telescope Network
NASA Informal Education Opportunities •Kids Space activities •Remote presentations •Night Sky Network •Astronomy Clubs •NASA Kids Club •Astronomy Picture of the Day •Star Parties •Girl Scouts 10
NASA Education
What Is The Government Doing? White House Council for Women and Girls • Raises awareness • Cross-cutting women’s issues, including STEM education and careers • Seeks inter-agency collaborations, resolution for issues • Support new initiatives National Science and Technology Committee, Subcommittee on Education • Federal agencies must use their resources to promote STEM education o Research opportunities o Mentoring teachers and students
• Use evidence-based strategies to strengthen STEM teaching and learning • Collaborate to find synergies, means to reach more participants Federal Agencies • Eliminating efforts that don’t produce intended results • Collaborating with education experts • Deliberate engagement of all underserved /underrepresented audiences • Doing what works 11
NASA Education
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NASA Education
Our Unique People and Missions
CAN TOUCH THE WORLD 13
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