NASA - Interdisciplinary National Science Project Incorporating Research and Education Experience

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Interdisciplinary National Science Project Incorporating Research and Education Experience

[Students Grades 9-12 and Higher Education]
[Available: Nationally]

The Interdisciplinary National Science Project Incorporating Research and Education Experience, or INSPIRE, is a multi-tiered student pipeline program designed for students in grades 9-12. Students selected to participate will:

Learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, fields of study and careers.
Participate in the INSPIRE online community.
Compete for unique summer experiences at a NASA facility.

INSPIRE began its phased implementation this summer with the placement of 153 students from 23 states and Puerto Rico at a NASA facility. The students participated in the tier 2B "Residential Internship" and the tier 3 "Collegiate Internship."

Here are some of the students' comments regarding their summer experience:

INSPIRE has been such an incredible and unique experience. Now I can say that I physically worked on a rocket. I could not ask for a better summer experience.
I haven't experienced a lot of the after-work activities we've done ... I never went to a baseball game before this summer. I sort of milked a cow for the first time ... definitely something that I'll remember.
Through this hands-on experience, I was able to more fully comprehend what I was reading. I could not have asked for a more interesting and fun job. I plan to major in aerospace engineering, and the internship is definitely a way to see whether that is truly what I want to do. This is my first introduction to the real world of business and office work. This gave me a good basic knowledge of planes and aerodynamics and how to handle office work.
Work was both tough and rewarding. A definite high would have to be the sense of closeness and the amazing group in both my work group and the one forming between our band of "Super Interns."
It was very cool to see all the aircraft, especially the ones that took off and landed during our trip on the flightline. The chance to go inside NASA's new Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle was equally as exciting and fun.

During fall 2008, NASA will recruit students for INSPIRE's online community, or OLC. Once selected to participate in the OLC, students will be invited in spring 2009 to compete for next year's summer experiences described below.

NASA’s unique mission provides the content for the online community. Resources, activities and educational modules add relevancy to courses being taught in high school. Activities include participation in video teleconferences with NASA scientists, design competitions, and learning modules. The online community allows students to interact with other students with similar interests, to ask questions and to share knowledge, thus building a Community of Practice. The online community also offers support for parents to help them better champion their student's goals.

To participate in the INSPIRE on line community students at a minimum must:

Be enrolled in grades 9-12 of high school.
Be a U.S. citizen at the time of selection.
Have a 2.5 academic grade point average in core coursework on an unweighted 4.0 scale.
Demonstrate the desire and the academic preparation to pursue a STEM-related field of study beyond high school.

In spring 2009, INSPIRE's online community participants will be invited to compete for the unique summer experiences at the NASA facility serving their state of residence. To be considered for these summer experiences, students must demonstrate:

A 3.0 academic grade point average in core coursework on an unweighted 4.0 scale.
Active participation in the online community.

The Summer Experiences

Tier 1 (NASA Explorers): Rising 10th-grade students and their legal guardians compete to be awarded a summer visit to a NASA facility for a one-day VIP Tour and Workshop.

Tier 2A (Collegiate Experience): Rising 11th-grade students compete to participate in a two-week, on-campus residential experience during the summer at a college or university selected by NASA. This exposure to college students and faculty is designed to encourage improved study skills and the pursuit of higher education and careers in STEM areas.The college or university provides lodging, meals, supervision and educational activities.

Tier 2B (Residential Internship): Rising 12th-grade students who will be at least 16 years of age at the start of the internship compete to participate in a paid summer internship at a NASA facility. Students gain valuable on-the-job experience by working directly with NASA scientists and engineers during the work day and by participating in enriching after-work educational and cultural activities. During the internship, students receive:

A stipend based on minimum wage and lunch allowance for the state in which the NASA facility is located.
Meals and housing at a location within commuting distance from the NASA facility.
Transportation to and from work and any after-work project activities.
On-site supervision and structured enrichment activities after work hours.

With a parental waiver, students within a 50-mile radius of the NASA facility may choose not to participate in the residential component; however, the student will still be required to participate in all after-work and weekend educational and cultural experiences. Students who "opt out" of the residential program will be responsible for their own transportation and meals, except for a weekday lunch allowance.

Supervision will be provided during all required after-work and weekend educational and cultural experiences. During non-work hours students interact with qualified, experienced and highly motivated professional educators. These educators will implement the enrichment activities and provide supervision during after-work hours. During working hours, students are mentored and supervised by scientists and engineers at the NASA center.

Tier 3 (Collegiate Internship): Rising college freshmen who will be at least 16 years of age at the start of the internship compete for participation in a paid summer internship at a NASA facility. Applicants for this experience must have been accepted at a college or university and have declared a STEM major. This experience provides valuable on-the-job training and introduces the students to other education and employment opportunities. Lodging, meals, transportation and after-work activities are the responsibility of the student. NASA will pay the student a stipend of $5,000 in three installments, providing all requirements have been met.

Are you ready to become a part of INSPIRE and NASA? Please visit us again in the near future for the most current information about this exciting program as NASA will be recruiting for the online community this fall.

NASA Facility Service Areas:

NASA FACILITY	LOCATION	AREA OF SERVICE
Ames Research Center	Moffett Field, Calif.	Alaska, Northern California (southernmost counties of Inyo, Kings, Monterey, Tulare), Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Dryden Research Center	Edwards AFB, Calif.	Arizona, Southern California (northernmost counties of Kern, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo)
Jet Propulsion Laboratory	Pasadena, Calif.	TBD
Glenn Research Center	Cleveland, Ohio	Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin
Goddard Space Flight Center	Greenbelt, Md.	Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont
Johnson Space Center	Houston, Texas	Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas
Kennedy Space Center	Merritt Island, Fla.	Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands
Langley Research Center	Hampton, Va.	Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia
Marshall Space Flight Center	Huntsville, Ala.	Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, Tennessee
Stennis Space Center	near Biloxi, Miss.	Mississippi

Who to Contact at NASA
Mr. Steve Chance
INSPIRE Project Manager
Mail Code: XA-D
John F. Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899
Phone: (321) 867-4194
E-mail: steven.h.chance@nasa.gov

Additional Contact Information
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Interdisciplinary National Science Project Incorporating Research and Education Experience