Education Grant Funds Space Foundation STEM Programs in Association with Adams State University

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 13, 2012) -- A grant was recently awarded by the U.S. Department of Education enabling the Space Foundation to help teachers across Colorado strengthen their skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through programs at Adams State University in Alamosa, Colo.

Adams State University received the Title III grant to help fund 90 k-12 and pre-k teachers from across Colorado in receiving STEM training targeted at English-learning students. The k-12 teachers will receive four Space Foundation Space Across the Curriculum courses over the next two summers, and will apply the knowledge and skills in their classrooms, as well as mentoring a colleague in the same skills. The pre-k teachers will receive the Space Foundation's early childhood course during the summer of 2015.

Support for the grant was provided by a number of elected officials, including:

• U.S. Senator Michael F. Bennet (D - CO), who wrote in a letter of support to Cynthia J. Ryan, director, Discretionary Grants Division, U.S. Department of Education: The programs proposed by Adams State College and the Space Foundation are critical to student success and will help propel them toward academic achievement.
• U.S. Congressman Scott Tipton (R - CO), who wrote: Education is one of the most important obligations that we have to our children. Further developing the skills of those teaching our young women and men is critical.
• Lt. Gov. Joseph A. Garcia, executive director, Colorado Department of Higher Education, who wrote: The grant will cover nearly 22,000 square miles and will reach students who will benefit from the STEM-based professional development courses offered by the Space Foundation.
• State Representative Sal Pace (D - CO), who wrote: ...the project will impact the educational achievement of English language learners, with the overarching goal that more English language learners will perform better on tests of STEM subjects and increase their participation in STEM classes.

About Space Across the Curriculum
These intensive week-long graduate-level courses for pre-k - 12 educators provide space-related STEM content that is instantly transferable to the classroom. All courses are hands-on and focus on national standards and STEM principles. Although the underlying concentration is on STEM, the courses are structured to adapt lessons to all grade levels and all curriculum areas. Participants do not need to be science or math teachers. See more about Space Foundation education programs at www.spacefoundation.org/education.

About the Space Foundation
The foremost advocate for all sectors of the global space industry, the Space Foundation is developing the next generation of space professionals - and building the overall technological strength of the nation - through programs that stimulate students' STEM interest and skills. A non-profit organization founded in 1983, the Space Foundation supports its mission "to advance space-related endeavors to inspire, enable and propel humanity," through its education programs; space awareness programs, including Space Certification and the Space Technology Hall of Fame® industry events, including the National Space Symposium; research and analysis products, including The Space Report: The Authoritative Guide to Global Space Activity ; and government affairs activities; and programs for teachers and students.  Visit www.SpaceFoundation.org, follow the Space Foundation on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, and subscribe to Space Watch.

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