Transcript Space Grant Workforce Development Initiative: Initial Survey Results Michaela Schaaf Karisa Vlasek Mary Fink Brent Bowen Melissa Wurdeman NASA Nebraska Space Grant Consortium.

Space Grant Workforce Development
Initiative:
Initial Survey Results
Michaela Schaaf
Karisa Vlasek
Mary Fink
Brent Bowen
Melissa Wurdeman
NASA Nebraska Space Grant Consortium
Workforce Development Surveys
and 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
–
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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
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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
–
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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
–
–
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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
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Develop engineering capstone projects with
NASA and industry

Multi-consortia research activities for
students and faculty
New or Innovative Ideas
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National Space Grant Design Competition
–
–
Modeled along lines of RASC-AL or LaRC’s
Aerospace Vehicle Systems Technology
Divisions could include:
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Robotics
Biomedical
Etc.
New or Innovative Ideas

Innovative new models for workforce
development
–
Aero Institute at NASA Dryden
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NASA Ames ACES

–
–
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www.Areoi.org
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
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Establish national student conference for
students
–
–
–
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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
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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
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Existing Programs
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Provide paid internships for students in industry
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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
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Feedback from participants
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Such as evaluation forms
Best Practices
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Space Grant inclusiveness
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Involving all community colleges and universities
Interdisciplinary approach
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Involve multiple departments and majors
Where Do We Go From Here?
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Additional Feedback – Surveys
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Follow-up Instruments
–
Planning process

Alignment of needs, best practices, and new and
innovative ideas