Space Grant Workforce Development Initiative:

Initial Survey Results

Michaela SchaafKarisa VlasekMary FinkBrent BowenMelissa Wurdeman

NASA Nebraska Space Grant Consortium

Workforce Development Surveysand Roundtables

Thank you for your participation

Roundtable Discussion

Workforce Development: An Operational Definition

NASA’s view– Hands on application of content that students

have already received in the classroom which will increase STEM field career paths

Outcomes focused– Metrics and longitudinal tracking– “Pyramid”

Surveys Some Initial Results

What NEEDS exist that SG might fulfill in workforce development?

Needs

Higher skilled and better prepared STEM workforce

Diverse STEM workforce– More role models for women

Needs

Generate more university-trained scientists and engineers

More graduate funding in STEM-related disciplines

Needs

Retention in the freshman year of college– 1/3 of all entering freshmen indicate they wish to

pursue STEM studies

Needs

“Hands-on” experiential education and training of America’s scientists and engineers– Provide such experiences with an experienced

mentor for “on the job” type training that cannot be achieved in the classroom

Needs

More slots in the NASA Academy and USRP– This experience boosts career opportunities for

students

Expand eligible majors for intern and Center programs– Specific skill sets don’t always match existing

HR/Co-op designations

Needs

Resurrection of a national robotics effort– Pre-college– Potential for major payoff 10-15 years in the

future– Possible collaboration between NASA and other

agencies

Needs

Increase the number of science and math teachers utilizing NASA education materials – Enthusiastic teachers

Needs

Database and publicity of all higher ed internships and co-ops for federal agency, industry, etc. nationwide

Facilitator or coordinator for public private partnerships– Organization such as SG can fulfill

What NEW OR INNOVATIVE IDEAS do you have for SG workforce

development initiatives?

New or Innovative Ideas

Strengthen Student Satellite Program– Work with NASA and aerospace industry to

provide new launch and mission opportunities for students

Students in Japan, Canada, and Europe have far better access to space for their students satellite projects than students do in the U.S.

New or Innovative Ideas

More student engagement in NASA missions and projects

Develop engineering capstone projects with NASA and industry

Multi-consortia research activities for students and faculty

New or Innovative Ideas

National Space Grant Design Competition– Modeled along lines of RASC-AL or LaRC’s

Aerospace Vehicle Systems Technology – Divisions could include:

Robotics Biomedical Etc.

New or Innovative Ideas

Innovative new models for workforce development– Aero Institute at NASA Dryden

www.Areoi.org

– NASA Ames ACES www.Alliancespace.net

– Hawaii’s Small Satellite Initiative with industry know-how

– Louisiana’s High Altitude Student Platform (HASP)– America View

New or Innovative Ideas

Establish national student conference for students– Present research– Poster sessions– Publish papers– Receive feedback from professionals

New or Innovative Ideas

Contracting with SG Foundation– Alumni tracking

– “Market research” to develop programs that appeal to the target group

What BEST PRACTICES will allow Space Grant to facilitate the workforce

pipeline to NASA?

Best Practices

Existing Programs– The National Student Satellite Program

Retention tool for STEM majors “Hands-on” training Continue to expand geographically and

programmatically More time at semi-annual meetings Develop a K-12 workshop for teachers to expand into

the classroom

Best Practices

Existing Programs– Provide paid internships for students in industry

– Geospatial training and research programs

Best Practices

Additional partnerships with NASA Centers– Need Advocates such as Linda Rodgers, Mike

Freeman, and Dave Rosage to help SG connect more to workforce on the inside at the Centers

Best Practices

Incorporate research and engineering projects into the existing fellowship & scholarship program with a required research mentor– Undergraduate student research opportunities

Best Practices

Research mentor evaluate student performance– Much like an employer would evaluate their employee

Provide research mentors with a “how to” handbook on mentoring students and some guidelines for providing high quality experiences

Best Practices

Bring research mentors to student seminars and encourage feedback and Q & A sessions to allow the students to experience constructive criticism without the fear of employment consequences

Best Practices

Conduct post-experience seminars and poster sessions so the students can share in the experiences of others

Feedback from participants– Such as evaluation forms

Best Practices

Space Grant inclusiveness – Involving all community colleges and universities– Interdisciplinary approach

Involve multiple departments and majors

Where Do We Go From Here?

Additional Feedback – Surveys

Follow-up Instruments– Planning process

Alignment of needs, best practices, and new and innovative ideas