Higher Education Program

The purpose of this grant program is to enhance higher education capabilities in STEM disciplines in Maine. Desired outcomes are to: 

• Expand the pipeline of students with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) skills.

• Increase the number of qualified STEM teachers.

• Increase participation of under-represented and under-served communities.

• Support higher education research capabilities and opportunities that attract and prepare increasing numbers of students and faculty for NASA-related careers.

Funding supports projects that propose one or more of the following:

• Development of interdisciplinary courses and curriculum, including introductory courses designed for undergraduate students not majoring in scientific or technological disciplines

• Enhance pre-college teacher education (pre-service) 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, technology and distance learning projects, career retraining, and the development of new technical courses such as but not limited to, 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 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

• Other programs that emphasize undergraduate education, or higher education faculty development in STEM disciplines

• Student Space Hardware Program (or Student Satellite Program) (or similar program).  See website for more information http://spacegrant.colorado.edu/studentsat/  This project should include a collaboration with at least one higher education faculty member, and one K-12 teacher or informal educator