NASA to Provide Education Funding for Museums and Planetariums

WASHINGTON, July 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA has announced a
competitive funding opportunity for informal education that could result in
the award of grants or cooperative agreements to several of the nation's
science centers, museums and planetariums. Approximately $6 million is
available for new awards.

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Proposals for the Competitive Program for Science Museums and Planetariums are
expected to use NASA resources to enhance informal education programs related
to space exploration, aeronautics, space science, Earth science or
microgravity. Full proposals are due Sept. 10.

NASA is uniquely positioned to contribute to informal education through its
remarkable facilities, missions, data, images, and employees, including
internationally-known engineers and scientists. Proposals for the program are
expected to encourage life-long engagement in science, technology, engineering
and mathematics, and focus on NASA's contributions to these disciplines. NASA
already provides interested science centers, museums and planetariums access
to informal education resources -- NASA images, visualizations, video, and
information -- free of charge through NASA's Museum Alliance.

NASA will accept proposals from institutions of informal education that are
science museums or planetariums in the United States or its territories. NASA
centers, federal agencies, federally funded research and development centers,
education-related companies, and other institutions and individuals may apply
through partnership with a qualifying lead organization.

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., which leads the Museum
Alliance, will conduct an external peer review process for the proposals.
Authority for final award selections rests with the Office of Education at
NASA Headquarters in Washington.

Informal education is recognized as a successful tool for learners of all
ages. Recently, the National Academy of Sciences published a study, "Learning
Science in Informal Settings: People, Places, Pursuits," which found evidence
that informal education programs involving exhibits, new media and hands-on
experiences -- such as public participation in research -- increase interest
in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and related careers for both
children and adults.

Congress initiated the Competitive Program for Science Museums and
Planetariums in 2008 to enhance programs related to space exploration,
aeronautics, space science, Earth science or microgravity. On June 3, NASA
selected 13 organizations for the first group of projects.

For detailed information about the funding opportunity, click on "Open
Solicitations" and look for Competitive Program for Science Museums and
Planetariums (CP4SMP) or solicitation number NNH09ZNE005N at:

http://nspires.nasaprs.com

This funding opportunity supports NASA's education goal to engage students in
science, technology, engineering and mathematics related to NASA missions and
careers. For more information about NASA's education programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/education

For more information about the Museum Alliance and to join, visit:

http://informal.jpl.nasa.gov/museum

SOURCE NASA

Stephanie Schierholz, Headquarters, Washington, +1-202-358-4997,
stephanie.schierholz@nasa.gov