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