6-1-2016
In June 2016, NASA announced nearly $10 million in grants to nine informal learning institutions across seven states to help inspire the next generation of scientists and explorers. The selected organizations—including botanical gardens, museums, a NASA visitor center, and one foundation—will develop projects ranging from botany experiments focused on growing food in space to technology challenges using caves as analog environments for other planets. The grants, awarded through a competitive peer-reviewed process that selected nine proposals out of 73 applications, range in value from approximately $420,000 to $1.25 million per institution, with implementation timelines of one to five years.
Among the nine recipients is the WEX Foundation of San Antonio, Texas. These organizations will partner with K-12 schools, higher education institutions, hospitals, and industry to create exhibits, educational programming, immersive multimedia, and hands-on inquiry-based activities. The projects aim to increase critical-thinking skills and STEM literacy while preparing youth for science and engineering careers, with many focusing on populations historically underrepresented in STEM professions. Donald James, NASA’s associate administrator for education, noted that “a highly educated and well-prepared workforce has been and continues to be critical to the success of the agency’s mission.”