NASA wants new explorers

NASA has issued new guidelines for the U.S. academic community to use in preparing the next generation of explorers and innovators.

The Education Strategic Coordination Framework highlights agency content, people and facilities as the foundation for sponsored educational opportunities, while developing new non-traditional partnerships.

"Through this framework, NASA will support the country's educators who play a key role in engaging and preparing today's young minds to lead the nation's laboratories and research centers of tomorrow," said the agency's Acting Assistant Administrator for Education, John Hairston Jr.

The framework identifies three priorities for NASA to work with academia, industry and informal educators to foster increased studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. NASA's education priorities include strengthening the nation's workforce, attracting and retaining students, and engaging America in NASA's missions.

Another element of the new education framework is to involve partners and establish strategic alliances to work with NASA to inspire and engage the nation's youth.

NASA says it remains committed to engaging and retaining underrepresented and underserved communities of students, educators and researchers in its education programs.

Copyright 2006 by United Press International