Innovative partnerships expand NASA’s Summer education reach

July 18, 2012

Ann Marie Trotta
Headquarters, Washington
202-258-1601
ann.marie.trotta@nasa.gov

RELEASE: 12-240

INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIPS EXPAND NASA’S SUMMER EDUCATION REACH

WASHINGTON — NASA’s Office of Education has selected more than 200  organizations across the country to receive Summer of Innovation  (SoI) mini-grants. Each award has a maximum value of $2,500. This  investment is designed to expand NASA’s education network and help  the agency keep middle school students engaged in science,  technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) activities throughout  the summer break and beyond.

Last month, NASA announced it was seeking collaborators to infuse  NASA-themed STEM content into existing summer and after school  programs for middle school students. The agency received more than  500 proposals in response to this solicitation.

The awardees selected include non-profit educational organizations,  public and private schools, youth foundations and science centers.  The projects funded are varied and include proposals to establish  after school STEM programs, provide simulated aviation training,  design and build robotic arms and make food suitable for space  travel. These SoI mini-grant activities are expected to reach an  audience of as many as 20,000 students and 3,400 educators.

The 2012 Summer of Innovation mini-grants are managed and administered  for NASA by the National Space Grant Foundation.  To view the complete list of the organizations selected to receive SoI  mini-grants, visit: http://go.nasa.gov/SFkauq

To learn more about NASA’s Summer of Innovation project, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/soi

To learn more about NASA’s education programs, visit:  http://www.nasa.gov/education

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