USA Doubles Teacher Grant

During the 27th National Space Symposium, United Space Alliance (USA) partnered with the Space Foundation to present two checks for $5,000 to Space Foundation Teacher Liaisons who applied for the first-time grant by submitting student project plans to promote science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects in the classroom. USA awarded the grant to fund innovative classroom activities, to inspire and foster a passion for STEM related learning. Teacher Liaisons competed for the grant by creating space-based classroom lessons and activities around the theme, “Human Space Travel in the Year 2020,” and submitting a plan that outlined materials needed, estimated cost and learning objectives. There were 22 applications submitted and the competition was very close.

“The project plans were so innovative and sustainable that we found it impossible to select just one,” said Kimberly Nahas, USA Education and Outreach Coordinator. “We also have the opportunity now to help inspire many more students than we originally thought possible.”

The results were so impressive that instead of offering one $5,000 grant as originally planned, USA also awarded a second grant. By selecting an additional project, the grants will benefit elementary, middle and high school levels in two different school districts.

One grant was awarded to a team of four teachers from Center, Colo.:

• Gail Martinez, Skoglund Middle School
• Kathleen Newmyer, Center Consolidated School District
• Diego Martinez and Daniel Newmyer, Center High School

The other grant was awarded to Stephanie Kawamura of Pine Lane Elementary-North, Parker, Colo.

The highly regarded Space Foundation Teacher Liaison program is in its eighth year and has 360 active participants. The program provides an honored few educators numerous benefits and privileges, builds resumes and influences education at a national level. Learn more about the Space Foundation Teacher Liaison program here.

About United Space Alliance
Established in 1995, USA is the world’s leading space operations company. USA is NASA’s primary industry partner in human spaceflight operations, including the Space Shuttle, the International Space Station (ISS) and exploration programs. USA has expertise in mission planning and preparation, flight design, training, flight hardware and software processing, launch and recovery operations and real-time mission operations. In addition, USA has leveraged its space operations expertise in support of Department of Defense, commercial and international customers. The company is based in Houston and has employees in Florida, Alabama, California, Washington, D.C., and Russia.

Pictured top photo: Winning Teacher Liaison Stephanie Kawamura (center) receiving her award at the USA exhibit at the 27th National Space Symposium from USA Vice President, Business Development and Huntsville Operations, Kimberly Doering (left), USA Vice President, Business Development, Mark Nappi, USA Vice President, Launch and Recovery Systems, Iain Probert Space Foundation Vice President – Education and Bobby Gagnon, Space Foundation Space Education Specialist.

Pictured bottom photo: Winning Teacher Liaisons, Gail Martinez, Kathleen Newmyer, Diego Martinez and Daniel Newmyer from Center, Colo., flanked by former NASA Astronaut and USA COO Dan Brandenstein (left) and USA President and CEO Virginia Barnes (right) at the 27th National Space Symposium. 

 

 

 

This article is part of Space Watch: May 2011 (Volume: 10, Issue: 5).