HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center alongside other aerospace-industry partners will join Drake State on a mission aimed to increase the number of minorities as well as women in stem.
This project is funded by a multi-year grant from NASA's Minority University Research and Education project.
Each year, through this project, Drake State will serve 90 secondary-school students, 13 college students-interns, and 20 secondary school science teachers.
"These opportunities change lives, change the lives of our students, bring excitement, wealth and development into our community and as a mother, I am excited because these are opportunities for our children," said Drake State's Director of Grants and Sponsored Programs, Dr. Marina Kingsbury.
More information about the project from Drake State's Press Release:
Huntsville, AL – NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), aerospace-industry partners such as Blue Origin, Jacobs, and Torch Technologies and local education partners will join Drake State Community & Technical College to kick off the school’s collaborative project aimed at increasing the number of racial and ethnic minorities and women in science and engineering fields.
The project is funded by a multi-year grant from NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP). Through MUREP, NASA provides financial assistance via competitive awards to minority-serving institutions. Each year, Drake State will serve 90 secondary-school students, 13 college students-interns, and 20 secondary school science teachers. Students in grades 8-12 will be able to participate in summer STEM programs.
Drake State will partner with the Moon Village Association to organize a summer bridge STEM camp for middle school students focusing on engineering and Moon exploration. Additionally, Drake State will organize a summer STEM bridge camp for high school students from disadvantaged backgrounds to learn about engineering and science careers and get acquainted with lab safety protocols.
Area science teachers will be invited to participate in a summer teacher training program that focuses on STEM-related topics that have NASA applications. At the undergraduate level, Drake State students will have the opportunity to participate in summer research internship opportunities at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) and Southern University Agricultural & Mechanical College (Southern University).
The project also aligns with NASA’s research priorities as it focuses on space systems research including 3D printing for space habitation and lunar landing pad design and testing.
Partners in the project include two minority-serving institutions (Drake State and Southern University), one majority-serving institution (MTSU), five industry partners (ICON, Blue Origin, Jacobs, Project XYZ, and Soldier 1 Corporation), two government partners (DEVCOM AvMC ManTech and NASA MSFC), four non-profit partners (NDIA SMDWG, Moon Village Association, National Space Club-HSV, and North Alabama Works), and multiple school systems (Huntsville City Schools, Madison County Schools, Madison City Schools, and HOPE Christian Academy, a home-school cooperative in North Alabama.) Within Huntsville City Schools, Drake State will be emphasized recruitment from majority-minority Columbia High School, Lee High School, and Jemison High School, but all eligible individuals are encouraged to apply.
To learn more, contact marina.kingsbury@drakestate.edu or call (256) 551-7285.