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 – Pre-college – Potential for major payoff 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 – 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 – 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