Space-related educational programs want students to get the message that the sky is not the limit.
Elementary, high school, college and graduate students are the focus of the National Space Biomedical Research Institute’s (NSBRI) efforts to inspire students to seek the math, engineering and science skills needed for careers related to the space program.
"Part of our mission is to inspire the students who will lead this country’s space exploration program. We’re doing that through educational materials and programs that introduce space research to teachers and students," said Dr. Jeffrey P. Sutton, NSBRI director.
Through an open competition, the NSBRI selected four projects that target students from fourth grade to college. These programs include teacher professional development, curriculum writing, community outreach and museum programs, and summer research opportunities. Recipients of the education grants are Baylor College of Medicine, Colorado Consortium for Earth and Space Science Education, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Rice University.
In addition, two universities, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Texas A&M University, received seed funding for development of a graduate education program in space life sciences.
"Through a graduate program in space life sciences, we can help provide NASA with a young workforce skilled in biomedical research focusing on the health concerns related to space exploration," Sutton said. "This type of research covers health conditions common to people on Earth as well as astronauts in space."
Selected from 32 proposals, each project underwent peer review by a panel of educators not affiliated with NSBRI and were evaluated for relevance to the Institute’s research program. The proposals were in response to a request for proposals (NSBRI-RFP-04-02). Funding for the projects began November 1.
The NSBRI, funded by NASA, studies the health risks related to long-duration space flight with peer-reviewed research and education projects at more than 70 institutions across the United States.
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