2011 INSPIRE Project U.S. high school students are invited to
participate in NASA's Interdisciplinary National Science Program Incorporating
Research Experience, or INSPIRE, through an online learning community. INSPIRE
is designed to encourage students in ninth through 12th grades to pursue
careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Applications are being accepted through June 30, 2011. NASA
will make selections for the program in September. The selected students and
their parents will participate in an online learning community with
opportunities to interact with peers, NASA engineers and scientists. The online
community also provides appropriate grade level educational activities,
discussion boards and chat rooms for participants to gain exposure to careers
and opportunities available at NASA.
Students selected for the program also will have
the option to compete for unique grade-appropriate experiences during the
summer of 2012 at NASA facilities and participating universities. The summer
experience provides students with a hands-on opportunity to investigate
education and careers in the STEM disciplines.
INSPIRE is part of NASA's education strategy to
attract and retain students in the STEM disciplines critical to NASA's
missions. For more information about INSPIRE, visit http://www.nasa.gov/education/INSPIRE.
Because It Flew -- Education Activities and Space Shuttle Art Competition
“Because It Flew” is a free educational program that introduces students in
grades 4-12 (ages 9-17) to the impact of the Space Shuttle Program on our
planet and people. This engaging and informative project commemorates the
30-year history of the shuttle program.
“Because It Flew” consists of two elements: optional educational activities and
the NASA Space Shuttle Art Competition.
Fouractivities
engage and introduce students to the history of NASA’s space shuttle missions.
Completion of these activities is not a requirement for submitting an entry
into the art competition, but they may be used to guide students through the
process of creating an entry. The activities can be adapted easily to both
formal and informal educational settings. Activities are aligned with national
standards and support efforts to integrate science, technology, engineering and
math with language arts.
The NASA Space Shuttle Art Competitions invites students to create original
artwork that symbolizes the
impact of NASA’s Space Shuttle Program on our planet and people. Students must
also write a 250-word essay explaining their artistic entries. An expert panel
of artists will review submissions. The top six entries in two age brackets
(9-13 and 14-17) will receive cash prizes, a private tutoring session with an
accomplished USA Today graphic artist and a certificate of accomplishment. Entries in the competition are due Aug. 5, 2011.
“Because It Flew” is a joint education initiative of NASA, the
National Institute of Aerospace and USA Today Education. For more information, visit www.usatodayeducate.com/becauseitflew.
If you have any questions about this contest,
please contact Jan Brown at janbrown@usatoday.com.
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