NASA'S Diverse Collaborations Spread The Stem Education Message

[NASA News <hqnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Nov. 16, 2011

Ann Marie Trotta 
Headquarters, Washington      
202-358-1601 
ann.marie.trotta@xxxxxxxx 

RELEASE: 11-388

NASA'S DIVERSE COLLABORATIONS SPREAD THE STEM EDUCATION MESSAGE

WASHINGTON -- NASA's Office of Education is collaborating with a 
variety of organizations this week to engage students in science, 
technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and increase 
academic excellence. 

Leland Melvin, the agency's associate administrator for education, is 
the keynote speaker today at the inaugural STEM Summit in St. Louis. 
The summit is sponsored in part by LEGO Education. NASA and the maker 
of the iconic building bricks have partnered on a number of events in 
recent years to encourage hands-on creativity as an avenue for 
learning STEM principles. 

On November 17, Melvin will give opening remarks and serve as a 
presenter at the first annual S.E.T. (Science, Engineering and 
Technology) Awards in Los Angeles. Established by the Entertainment 
Industries Council, the awards honor excellence in the depiction of 
science, engineering and technology in television, film and 
multimedia. 

"Encouraging students to pursue STEM disciplines is so very important. 
It offers students exciting job opportunities," Melvin said. "For 
NASA and the nation, building the STEM pipeline will ensure that we 
have a robust, high-tech workforce for the future." 

Melvin will end the week in Washington by participating in the United 
States Agency for International Development's "All Children Reading: 
A Grand Challenge for Development" program on Nov. 18. He will join 
representatives from other government agencies and host Alex Trebek 
to challenge innovators from around the world to develop solutions to 
overcome barriers to literacy and learning. 

"There are so many diverse organizations out there committed to 
encouraging students to pursue STEM studies, reading and other 
avenues of education," Melvin said. "I am excited to collaborate with 
them and leverage our individual strengths to spread the message that 
learning is not only fun, it is the key to a bright future. I want 
today's youth to know they can reach for the stars." 

NASA uses the excitement from its missions and programs to inspire 
students and serve as a catalyst for encouraging STEM studies. The 
agency continues its tradition of investing in the nation's education 
programs and supporting the country's educators who play a key role 
in preparing and inspiring the young minds of today to become the 
workforce of tomorrow. 

To learn more about NASA's education programs, visit: 

http://www.nasa.gov/education 

	
-end-



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