Summer of Innovation Addresses STEM Needs

To address America's critical science, technology, engineering and math education needs, NASA is partnering with the Wyoming Space Grant Consortium and the Wyoming Department of Education in the Summer of Innovation initiative.

Summer of Innovation will use the agency's missions and technology programs to boost summer learning, particularly for students who are underrepresented and underperforming in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, said NASA Administrator and former astronaut Charles F. Bolden.

Located in the University of Wyoming Department of Physics and Astronomy, the Wyoming NASA Space Grant Consortium promotes a strong educational base in science, mathematics, engineering and technology from the elementary grades through the university levels.

Through the Summer of Innovation program, NASA will engage thousands of middle school teachers and students in stimulating math and science-based education programs. NASA's goal is to increase the number of future scientists, mathematicians and engineers, with an emphasis on broadening participation of low-income and minority students.

The Wyoming Space Grant Consortium's proposal for "Powering STEM Education in Wyoming with Wind Energy" will focus on a statewide, interactive program about climate change and energy that culminates in the development of fully functional wind turbines and weather stations with remote monitoring capabilities for continued research.

"This project ties aeronautics and climate change together with wind turbines and provides students with an understanding of the impact of climate change locally and globally," says Emily Stewart, project coordinator at UW.

The program, scheduled July 5-30, is free to students, and stipends are available to teachers and coordinators. To register and for more information, visit http://wyomingspacegrant.uwyo.edu/ or call (307) 766-2862.