NASA To Provide Education Funding For Museums And Planetariums

July 10, 2009

Stephanie Schierholz
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-4997


RELEASE: 09-158

NASA TO PROVIDE EDUCATION FUNDING FOR MUSEUMS AND PLANETARIUMS

WASHINGTON -- NASA has announced a competitive funding opportunity
for
informal education that could result in the award of grants or
cooperative agreements to several of the nation's science centers,
museums and planetariums. Approximately $6 million is available for
new awards.

Proposals for the Competitive Program for Science Museums and
Planetariums are expected to use NASA resources to enhance informal
education programs related to space exploration, aeronautics, space
science, Earth science or microgravity. Full proposals are due Sept.
10.

NASA is uniquely positioned to contribute to informal education
through its remarkable facilities, missions, data, images, and
employees, including internationally-known engineers and scientists.
Proposals for the program are expected to encourage life-long
engagement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and
focus on NASA's contributions to these disciplines. NASA already
provides interested science centers, museums and planetariums access
to informal education resources -- NASA images, visualizations,
video, and information -- free of charge through NASA's Museum
Alliance.

NASA will accept proposals from institutions of informal education
that are science museums or planetariums in the United States or its
territories. NASA centers, federal agencies, federally funded
research and development centers, education-related companies, and
other institutions and individuals may apply through partnership with
a qualifying lead organization.

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., which leads the
Museum Alliance, will conduct an external peer review process for the
proposals. Authority for final award selections rests with the Office
of Education at NASA Headquarters in Washington.

Informal education is recognized as a successful tool for learners of
all ages. Recently, the National Academy of Sciences published a
study, "Learning Science in Informal Settings: People, Places,
Pursuits," which found evidence that informal education programs
involving exhibits, new media and hands-on experiences -- such as
public participation in research -- increase interest in science,
technology, engineering, mathematics and related careers for both
children and adults.

Congress initiated the Competitive Program for Science Museums and
Planetariums in 2008 to enhance programs related to space
exploration, aeronautics, space science, Earth science or
microgravity. On June 3, NASA selected 13 organizations for the first
group of projects.

For detailed information about the funding opportunity, click on
"Open
Solicitations" and look for Competitive Program for Science Museums
and Planetariums (CP4SMP) or solicitation number NNH09ZNE005N at:

http://nspires.nasaprs.com

This funding opportunity supports NASA's education goal to engage
students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics related
to NASA missions and careers. For more information about NASA's
education programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/education

For more information about the Museum Alliance and to join, visit:

http://informal.jpl.nasa.gov/museum

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