>From: NASA News <[log in to unmask]>
>To: NASA News <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: NASA To Provide Education Funding For Museums And Planetariums
>Date: Fri 10 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EDT
>
>July 10, 2009
>
>Stephanie Schierholz
>Headquarters, Washington
>202-358-4997
>[log in to unmask]
>
>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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