NASA Kicks Off K-12 Competitive Grants

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NASA has launched a new grant program targeted specifically toward K-12. Called the K-12 Competitive Grants Opportunity, the program is aimed at methods of improving teaching and learning in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) at the middle school and high school levels.

The 2008 K-12 Competitive Grants program is looking for "innovate approaches to using NASA-themed content in support of secondary level teaching and learning, with a particular emphasis on high school education," according to NASA. "Each funded proposal is expected to leverage NASA's unique contributions in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to enhance students' academic experiences and/or to improve educators' abilities to engage and stimulate their students."

Grants will be awarded in the areas of activities to support learning and instruction in high school and middle school; technologies related to disseminating and facilitating STEM education; and professional development for educators related to NASA content. All of these should be focused on the following outcomes: development, promotion, or utilization of innovative and replicable approaches to "improving STEM learning and instruction"; providing activities and experiences grounded in research; and creating bridges between secondary and post-secondary education.

NASA said it expects to award six to eight grants under the program in 2008 totaling between $750,000 and $1.5 million.

Step 1 proposals for the grant are due Aug. 22. Invited full proposals are due Oct. 27. Further information can be found here.

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About the author: Dian Schaffhauser is a writer who covers technology and business for a number of publications. Contact her at [email protected].

Proposals for articles and tips for news stories, as well as questions and comments about this publication, should be submitted to David Nagel, executive editor, at [email protected].

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


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