1. Space Grant Consortium JSC Internships Veronica Seyl(281) 483-5110 Veronica.l.seyl@nasa.gov Based on 2008 – 2009 data we have reached the following states for undergraduate internships (TOTAL 19) … Oklahoma – 5Pennsylvania – 4 Nebraska – 3Oregon – 2 Maine – 2North Carolina – 1 Connecticut – 1 Idaho – 1 Based on 2008 – 2009 data, ESMD program has supported the following students for internships from the following states... Texas – 2North Carolina – 1 New Mexico – 1 Ohio – 1 California – 1

2. Space Grant Consortium JSC Internships For the years 2010 – 2011, I would like to see the number of space grant interns increase … oTotal of 27 for the two years (almost 25% increase). oPush for fall placements (zero in 2 years) and increase participation by 4 interns each fall. oMaintain solid relationship with current SGCs whose process in place sends 1 -2 per year. oExpand a consistent intern relationship with 5 additional SGCs that have not sponsored interns at JSC with emphasis on our 8-state region. oImplement reporting process for a Space Grant intern at state, regional or national conference. oTarget Reduced Gravity participants that have obtained Space Grant funding for materials, travel, etc. Ideas for marketing oFlyer is currently distributed once per year … needs to be each application deadline. - Currently sent to Diane DeTroye for distribution to SGC who then distribute to affiliate Universities. Determine new means of distribution.

3. National Project Update NASA’s Undergraduate Student Research Program Pr. Bryan Dansberry, University of Cincinnati NASA Project Lead – USRP Western Regional Space Grant Meeting September 18th, 2009

4. Outline USRP Overview –define the program Internship Outcomes Opportunities to Partner

5. Who am I? B.S. Aerospace Engineering– University of Cincinnati 6 Co-op rotations at Langley Research Center 10 years at NASA as wind-tunnel test engineer 7 years as faculty in UCincy Division of Professional Practice 2 years on special assignment at Johnson Space Center as Higher Education Experiential Programs Specialist

6. What is USRP? NASA’s Largest Agency-wide STEM Internship Project – 669 STEM internships generated from 1/08 to 9/09 – All 10 NASA centers and 2 NASA research facilities participating Competitive Application Process Open to STEM Undergraduates – Rising sophomores through senior students – Applicants must be U.S. citizens with minimum of 3.0 GPA Year-round Opportunities with Spring, Summer, and Fall Sessions – Spring & Fall internship sessions - 15 weeks – Summer internship session - 10 weeks

7. USRP Processes Challenges in managing internships: Generating suitable pool of student candidates Collecting NASA projects and mentors Matching students to projects Tracking offers, acceptances, and processes for bringing the students on-board. Documenting outcomes and “ROI” metrics

8. USRP Processes 100% digital, web-based processes for: –student application –collection of NASA mentor projects –selection & matching of students to mentors (by mentors or center coordinators) –electronic offer and acceptance tracking –student & mentor exit surveys –10 page technical reports –reporting of outputs & outcomes (using application, mentor, and student survey data) –ABET a-k criteria derived metrics

9. Results of Process Improvements 2008 Digital, on-line application Summer applicant pool = 2,412 (321% increase from 2007) Fall applicant pool = 478 (550% increase) Web-based collection of mentor projects + selection software for mentors or project coordinators 669 total internships for 2008+2009 368 semester internships for 2008+2009

10. Geographic Diversity of Applicants & Selected Interns

11. Benefits of improving processes Meeting Constituent Expectations Mentor Satisfaction : (5-pt Lickert scale) Ave. “Overall, I would rate this students' performance as:” 4.76 “Was this student a good match for your project?” 4.79 Point of Pride: 98% of mentors rated these two categories as 4 or 5 on the Lickert scale.

12. Benefits of improving processes Meeting Constituent Expectations Student Satisfaction : (5-pt Lickert scale) Ave. Overall I would rate the quality of this internship as… 4.49 My mentor was a good match for my background and interests. 4.25 I received excellent support from my supervisor and co-workers. 4.52 I felt fully engaged & utilized as a member of the team. 4.22

13. Project Outcomes Looking Beyond Retention Long-term Outcome: Expanding the STEM pipeline Immediate Outcomes: Student Learning - Cognitive (skills, knowledge, experience) - Affective (confidence, commitment, perspective) Student Productivity - Useful work for organization

14. Defining Learning Generated Student Survey Data CY2008 Areas of Growth: Professional/Technical Communication94% Conceptual/Analytical Ability 99% Learning/Applying Knowledge97% Professional Qualities94% Teamwork 82% Leadership 76% Technology95% Work Culture 97% Organization/Planning95%

15. Defining Learning Generated Student Survey Data (5 pt. Lickert Scale) This experience….2008 helped me determine my own strengths & weaknesses4.17 Increased my professional self-confidence4.25 Increased my academic motivation4.40 My understanding of my chosen profession4.13 Helped me clarify my career plans & options4.24 Helped prepare me to achieve my career goals4.35

16. Defining Learning Generated Student Survey Data (5 pt. Lickert Scale) This experience…. SuF/Sp helped me determine my own strengths & weaknesses4.174.39 Increased my professional self-confidence4.254.48 Increased my academic motivation4.404.52 My understanding of my chosen profession4.134.35 Helped me clarify my career plans & options4.244.36 Helped prepare me to achieve my career goals4.354.51

17. There are opportunities for Space Grants to fund additional internships using USRP processes! Contact: Bryan Dansberry Bryan.dansberry-1@nasa.gov 281-483-0707