NASA Selects Proposals to Enhance Science Education and Outreach

WASHINGTON, June 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA has selected four
organizations to share approximately $18 million over five years for education
and public outreach activities to help inspire the next generation of science
leaders and explorers. The cooperative agreements support the astrophysics,
heliophysics, planetary and Earth divisions of NASA's Science Mission
Directorate, which is providing the funding for the activities.

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"NASA seeks to work with the best of the nation's science and educational
communities to help champion and elevate science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics," said Paul Hertz, chief scientist of the Science Mission
Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "Stimulating and informative
activities, along with experiences created and executed by experts, inspire
our future scientists. This provides a productive return on the public's
investment for future scientific research."

These activities contribute to NASA's overall education and outreach efforts
through development and dissemination of new educational and outreach products
that use the directorate's science discoveries. The agreements provide
opportunities for students and educators, citizen scientists and the public to
engage in authentic experiences working with NASA and research communities.
Activities will include comprehensive public awareness and engagement plans
coordinated with NASA, the selected proposers and other institutions
nationwide.

Selected proposals are:

-- "Astrophysics Science Education and Public Outreach Forum,"
Denise Smith, principal investigator, Space Telescope Science
Institute
in Baltimore, operated by the Association of Universities for Research
in Astronomy
-- Planetary Science Education and Public Outreach Forum: "Extending
the Coherence and Reach of NASA Planetary Science and SMD Education
and
Public Outreach," Stephanie Shipp, principal investigator, Lunar
and Planetary Institute in Houston, a division of the University Space
Research Association
-- Heliophysics Science Education and Public Outreach Forum: "A Forum
to Support Excellence in Heliophysics Education and Public Outreach
through Sustained Collaboration," Bryan Mendez, principal
investigator, University of California, Berkeley

-- Earth Science Education and Public Outreach Forum: "Building a
Cohesive and Effective Community," Theresa Schwerin, principal
investigator, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies in
Arlington, Va.

Each selected proposer will receive approximately $850,000 per year. Further
funding will be provided after NASA review and subsequent approval of progress
reports.

This opportunity was open to U.S. organizations, including NASA centers,
industry, educational institutions, not-for-profit organizations, federally
funded research and development centers, and other government agencies.
Fourteen proposals were received in response to the January 2009 announcement.
A peer review panel of education and public outreach professionals evaluated
each proposal.

NASA's Science Mission Directorate has a diverse portfolio of education and
public outreach investments and activities in higher education, elementary and
secondary education, informal education, and outreach. For information about
NASA science programs and activities, visit:

http://nasascience.nasa.gov

For information about NASA's Education programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/education

SOURCE NASA

Dwayne Brown, of NASA Headquarters, Washington, +1-202-358-1726,
dwayne.c.brown@nasa.gov