NASA's educational programs

Abstract

NASA's role in aeronautics and space research and development has resulted in many referring to NASA as an education agency. They say this because of the mandates in the Space Act to expand human knowledge of space, to arrange for participation in space endeavors by the scientific community, and to disseminate information to the widest practicable audiences. Aeronautics and space topics have long been known to be a magnet for learning. Today, with the increased attention on educating our citizens, NASA hopes to assist the educational community in the use of this magnet through its educational programs. To achieve this goal, the Educational Affairs Division has designed educational programs to capture students' interest in science, mathematics, and technology at an early age, and to maintain their interest throughout higher learning. At the high school and university levels, these educational programs seek to channel more students into engineering and science careers. For teachers and university faculty, NASA's educational programs recognize the importance of upgrading knowledge, skills, and experience.