NASA Explorer Schools Partnerships for Sustainability

1. Who is eligible to respond to the NES Partnerships for Sustainability RFP?
   

2. Must the partnership involve a NASSMC member coalition?
   

3. Where can I find a list of NASA Explorer Schools in my state?
   

4. How do we contact NASA Explorer Schools personnel?
   

5. Where can I find information on establishing a partnership between a coalition and a NASA Explorer School?
   

6. What are some of the lessons learned/recommendations of past and current grantees?
   

7. What organizations can we go to to meet the STEM Education Linkages requirement besides NASA?
   

8. Where can I find more information on NASA’s Education strategy?
   

9. What measures can we use to evaluate sustainability?
   

10. Why do we have to identify a fiscal organization/agent?
    

11. What does “one-time grant” mean?
    

12. What technical support is offered?
    

13. Will this program be available next year?
    

14. How do we become a NASA Explorer School?

Who is eligible to respond to the NES Partnerships for Sustainability RFP?
Any state-based organization that is (1) representing the interests of business, education and public policy and composed of decision-makers representing those constituencies and (2) working in collaboration with 2003, 2004, 2005, and/or 2006 NASA Explorer School(s) is eligible to respond and serve as the Performing Organization. This organization must be statewide in scope and inclusive of a broad range of all three communities. Any entity whose membership does not reflect all of these stakeholder elements is ineligible for funding under this program.

Must the partnership involve a NASSMC member coalition?
No. The program is open to groups representing state business, education and public policy who are committed to holding a partnering with NASA Explorer Schools and implementing action plans for sustainability. There is no stipulation that proposers or grantees be NASSMC affiliates. However, potential applicants should determine if a coalition already exists in their state to strengthen proposed efforts.

Where can I find a list of NASA Explorer Schools in my state?
Go to the NASA Explorer Schools website and click the “School Teams” tab.

How do we contact NASA Explorer Schools personnel?
Initial contact with the NASA Explorer Schools must be made through the NASA Field Center and NASA Explorer Schools Coordinator responsible for your state.

• Ames Research Center: AK, WA, HI, Northern CA, MT, ID, WY, UT, OR, NV
  Brian Kruse, 650-604-1855, brian.kruse@aesp.nasa.okstate.edu

• Glenn Research Center: IL, IN, MI, OH, MN, WI
  Cathy Graves, 216-433-6691, catherine.graves@aesp.nasa.okstate.edu

• Dryden Flight Research Center: AZ, Southern CA
  Dorothy Smith, 661-276-7470, dorothy.smith@aesp.nasa.okstate.edu

• Goddard Space Flight Center: DC, VT, PA, RI, NY, NJ, ME, DE, MA, NH, CT, MD
  Alissa Kuseske, 301-286-9211, alissa.kuseske@aesp.nasa.okstate.edu

• Jet Propulsion Laboratory: Greater Los Angelas area
  Ota Lutz, 909-620-5025, ota.lutz@aesp.nasa.okstate.edu

• Johnson Space Center: KS, NE, ND, SD, OK, CO, TX, NM
  Joan Sanders, 281-483-8852; joan.sanders@aesp.nasa.okstate.edu

• Kennedy Space Center: FL, PR, GA, VI
  Clarence Bostic, 321-867-4058, clarence.bostic@aesp.nasa.okstate.edu

• Langley Research Center: KT, WV, NC, SC, VA, NC
  Caryn Long, 757-864-3274, caryn.long@aesp.nasa.okstate.edu

• Marshall Space Flight Center: AL, TN, AK, LA, IA, MO
  Beth Ingrum, 256-961-1341, beth.ingrum@anasa.gov

• Stennis Space Center: MS
  Keely Keyser, 228-688-2032, keely.keyser@aesp.nasa.okstate.edu
  

Where can I find information on establishing a partnership between a coalition and a NASA Explorer School?
We strongly recommend you contact NASSMC for guidance on establishing this unique collaboration towards an agenda for sustainability. Past funded partnerships for sustainability will also provide valuable information and lessons learned on their programs funded under this grant.

A good, general primer for how to create, implement, sustain or evaluate a partnership has been written by the Council for Corporate and School Partnerships. While this how-to guide specifically addresses school-business partnerships, many of the strategies are applicable to school-coalition partnerships. You may also look at the case studies of National School and Business Partnerships Awards for illustrations of partnership programming.

What are some of the lessons learned/recommendations of past and current grantees?

• Establishing a solid partnership between the coalition and NASA Explorer School(s) can be a slow process and is subject to personnel turnover. Create a reliable communications network between entities and hold regular meetings. Take into account the distance between sites, and factor cost and meeting alternatives into the plan. Consider video-conferencing and local coordination to maximize involvement. Prior to funding, talk regularly and work collaboratively on the proposal to establish a rapport and build trust. Remember that all partners are leaders. Make sure to develop a budget that supports on-going relationship building, and helps school/coalition personnel fully understand the opportunities this grant affords. Plan to use initial summer months, to the fullest extent possible, for planning. Be proactive in initiating and maintaining contact between partnership members throughout the grant period.

• Develop unique and creative ways to integrate the required grant activities (Coordinating Council, public engagement, and STEM education linkages) into your overall action plan that addresses the sustainability vision of the partnership. See how the partnership for sustainability can be melded into the fabric of the school and coalition communities, not simply viewed as an add-on activity. Cash and in-kind support from sources other than the grant award are necessary to strike a balance. Set priorities, establish a clear vision for sustainability, and assure that activities planned match capacity.

• Involve stakeholders from a variety of sources, and from across the state, to get broad-based support. Find Coordinating Council members that are influential, enthusiastic and willing to make a commitment to the plan’s implementation.

• Involving parents in the plan will help enhance the community’s pride and ownership of STEM education reform efforts.

• Inform the state legislators of the partnership and its activities that further STEM education reform.

• Look at ways in which the partnership can address issues of personnel turnover. Consider a corporation/industry approach to team- and leadership-building, both at the NES and among the key partners of the sustainability program. Coalition business partners might provide this in-kind service. Seriously examine the viability of the action plan if partnership leaders leave their current positions.

• Coalition members should involve NES personnel directly (e.g. planning, attendance, participation) in high-level conferences and meetings with leaders in the state’s STEM education agenda. This helps to put the NASA Explorer School(s) on the radar of key decisionmakers. The coalition can also serve as a broker between industry and schools.

• The importance of visibility and public awareness cannot be stressed enough. Use the Web to start creating a public identity for the partnership. Start looking for public relations partners early – they can be a great in-kind resource. Coalitions and schools should view the partnership as an opportunity to get more, and valuable, press coverage. Celebrate and award successes in a public forum.

• Do not forget the role that museums and libraries can play in developing and implementing the action plan for sustainability.

• Do not forget to inform and involve school district leaders.

• Look for ways that the partnership can be supportive of prospective NASA Explorer Schools and mentor schools that have been recently named.

• Although NASA plans to host an annual sustainability conference (pending funding availability), consider the partnership’s role in hosting a statewide or regional conference.

• Coalitions can provide on-going grant writing and partnership development technical assistance to the NES, as well as assistance in assuring competencies in program development skills.

• Look for alternative funding sources that build off of the established activities.

• The partnership should create (or clarify) tools and services for data collection and assessment. These tools can be used in partner recruitment and retention, especially with business and education leadership.

• Coalitions should use NES models for improvements in schools state-wide by, for example, supporting mentoring programs between NES and other schools; advocating for recognition of the NASA Explorer Schools in legislation and proclamations; and supporting the development of state systemic plans and grant programs that incorporate NES program approaches.

• Keep the NASA Field Center education office informed of, and involved in, activities.
  

What organizations can we go to to meet the STEM Education Linkages requirement besides NASA?
The partnership should leverage the networks and resources of other STEM education organizations that have a state presence. Examples include, but are not limited to, Math Science Partnerships; federal agencies’ field centers and research labs; National Science Teachers Association (NSTA); National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM); International Technology Education Association (ITEA); school principals’ associations; Chambers of Commerce; and others. Links to these and other organizations are available at http://www.nassmc.org/links.html.

Where can I find more information on NASA’s Education strategy?
Access the NASA Education Fact Sheet and 2006 NASA Strategic Plan for more information about the Agency’s commitment to excellence in STEM education.

What measures can we use to evaluate sustainability?
There are a number of indicators that can be examined provide useful information on the effectiveness of the proposed program. For example:

• Proposers might employ the Logic Model to organize planning and and describe the effectiveness of the program, assessing, in particular, the outputs and outcomes.

• Partnerships might collect, analyze and report data that:

  • Tracks in-kind investments made in support of the action plan to measure buy-in from stakeholders.

  • Examines changes in knowledge, skills, awareness, behavior, policies, etc. on the part of partnership members and general public as a result of the proposed program.

  • Tracks visibility and dissemination of products.

  • Describes additional (expanded) partnerships developed and funding garnered.

  • Etc.

You should choose the evaluation methodology and indicators that best align with the proposed objectives and activities. Quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis might take the form of standardized interviews, surveys, case studies, cost analysis, questionnaires, standardized observations, and/or pre- and post-tests.

Why do we have to identify a fiscal organization/agent?
Any payments made on behalf of coalition activities to support NES Partnerships for Sustainability activities must be processed through a designated fiscal organization to ensure proper accounting practices. This organization is must be a non-profit tax-exempt institution.

What does “one-time grant” mean?
Each state will be eligible only once for funding through this program under current rules. One coalition per state will receive an award. States that received a grant during the pilot year are ineligible to receive future funding.

What technical support is offered?
Consultant services are available at no cost to assist in developing partnerships and action plans. NASSMC will identify knowledgeable and experienced individuals familiar with the successful operation of coalitions and sustainability activities to provide assistance. Technical support services include:

Coalition Development (as needed)

• Help identify state leaders from the business, education and public policy sectors who are actively engaged in addressing education, economy, and workforce challenges in the state.
• Conduct in-state meetings to prepare state leaders for coalition formation.
• Link business, education and public policy groups with NASA resources in their states.
  

  Partnership Development

• Assist in planning and preparation for establishing relationship between coalitions and the NASA Explorer Schools.
• Provide funding to support in-state meetings between coalitions and NES teams. Funding will be available (by request) on a limited basis.
• Link partnerships with NASA education program support personnel.
  

  Action Plan Development and Implementation

• Link partnerships with public engagement and awareness tools and resources.
• Provide information and access to existing programs and resources from NASA and other organizations that can contribute to the sustainability effort.
• Assist in to identifying and securing additional funding and resources for sustainability and STEM education improvement activities.
• Work cooperatively and collaboratively with grantees to ensure successful implementation. Provide on-site technical support services by NASSMC staff and consultants.
• Link partnerships with coalitions in other states and previously funded NES Partnerships for Sustainability, and serve as a central hub for communications and information-sharing between states.
• Support attendance at national NASSMC conferences.
  
  

Will this program be available next year?
NASSMC expects that NES Partnerships for Sustainability Program will be offered annually.

How do we become a NASA Explorer School?
Application procedures, eligibilty requirements, and deadlines are outlined in the "About NES" section of the NASA Explorer Schools web site. The NASA Explorer Schools program is managed by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA).

Return to the NES PFS page.

NASSMC State Summits Implementation Program (NSSIP)

Who is eligible to respond to the NSSIP Request for Proposals?
Any organization representing the interests of business, education and public policy and composed of decision-makers representing those constituencies is eligible. This organization must be state-wide in scope and inclusive of a broad range of all three communities. Any entity whose membership does not reflect all three of these stakeholder elements is ineligible for STEM Summit funding under this program.

What if there is no coalition in my state?
First, check to make sure there is no coalition in your state by visiting www.nassmc.org/coalitions.html. In those states where no coalition now exists, it will be necessary to develop one in order to compete for an NSSIP grant. NASSMC offers the STEM Summit Catalyst Program to provide assistance in developing and strengthening coalitions so that they may apply for the NSSIP grant in the future.

Who is eligible to apply for support under the STEM Summit Catalyst Program?
The most appropriate candidates for the STEM Summit Catalyst Program are: (1) new and emerging state-based coalitions of business, education and public policy interested in developing a summit around STEM education related issues; and (2) existing coalitions that require further development of their constituency in order to be competitive for a NSSIP grant.

What do you mean by business, education and public policy leaders?
Leaders are those who have distinguished themselves in their respective fields and are committed to addressing education, economy, and workforce challenges in the state. These individuals should be committed to the vision of their state's Summit and actively participate in and contribute to the process.

Do we have to be a NASSMC member-coalition to be eligible for these programs?
No. Both programs are open to groups representing state business, education and public policy who are committed to holding a STEM Summit. There is no stipulation that proposers, applicants, or grantees be NASSMC affiliates.

Why do we have to identify a fiscal organization/agent?
Any payments made on behalf of coalition activities to support STEM Summits must be processed through a designated fiscal organization to ensure proper accounting practices. This organization is must be a non-profit tax-exempt institution. In anticipation future fiscal and accounting responsibilities, STEM Summit Catalyst Program applicants must also identify their fiscal agent.

What does "one-time grant" mean?
Each state will be eligible only once for funding through NSSIP. One coalition per state will receive an award.

Will this program be available next year?
NASSMC expects that NSSIP awards and the STEM Summit Catalyst Program will be offered annually.

Who manages/administers this program?
NASSMC. All program inquiries and submissions should be directed to NASSMC, who will administer awards and provide primary oversight.

Return to the NSSIP page.