**[NASA Earth Science Applications Program]{.smallcaps}**

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

*Human Capital Development*

# Program Plan: 2003-2007

![](media/image1.wmf){width="1.1902777777777778in"
height="0.9840277777777777in"}*Science for Society*

> *Accelerating the realization of economic*
>
> *and societal benefits from Earth science,*
>
> *information, and technology ...*

**Cross Cutting Solutions:**

**Human Capital Development**

*Program Plan: 2003-2007*

**1.0 Purpose and Scope**

[Earth Science Applications Program]{.underline}

The purpose of NASA's Earth Science Enterprise (ESE) is to increase our
knowledge of the Earth system, including its response to natural and
human-induced changes to enable improved predictions of climate,
weather, and natural hazards. ESE and the Earth Science Applications
Program serve NASA and Society by expanding and accelerating the
realization of societal and economic benefits from Earth science,
information, and technology research and development.

The overarching goal of the Earth Science Applications Program is to
bridge the gap between Earth science research results and the adoption
of data and prediction capabilities for reliable and sustained use in
decision support.

The Enterprise works through partnerships with public, academic, and
private organizations to develop innovative approaches for using Earth
science information and technology. The Earth Science Applications
Program enhances the availability, interoperability, and utility of
Enterprise and private sector data sets, communications, computing, and
modeling capabilities to serve specific applications of a national
priority.

Overall, the approach is to enable the assimilation of Earth science
data and model outputs to serve as inputs to national and international
decision support tools and assessments. Program activity may be specific
to a national application or may be served through a crosscutting
solution. The outcomes and impacts are manifest in enhanced decision
support tools and the social and economic benefits gained through
improved decision-making, public information, and efficient and
effective management.

[Cross Cutting Solutions Program]{.underline}

The goal of the Cross Cutting Solutions component is to provide the
Enterprise and the other elements of the NASA Earth Science Applications
Theme with systems engineering support that leads to scalable, systemic,
and sustainable solutions and processes.

The objective is to support the Earth Science applications of national
priority in transitioning Earth system science results into specific
thematic assessments and decision support tools that serve society.
Cross cutting activities include integrated benchmarked systems,
solutions networks, geospatial interoperability, and human capital
development. The desired impact for the resulting networks, standards,
prototypes, processes, guidelines, and outreach is for the partner
organizations and their customers to benefits from operational use of
Earth science in serving their decision-making processes.

The implementation process of the Program employs the functional steps
of *evaluation*, *verification and validation*, and *benchmarking* in
working to bridge the gaps from the research domain to the operational
domain. Selected applications and related projects proceed through one
or all of the following steps depending on maturity at the time of
selection:

-   Evaluation -- Identify decision support tools (assessments and DSSs)
    that have been developed by Federal agencies and other partners that
    are a priority to citizens of our nation and that can be enhanced by
    NASA ESE results. Develop the specifications for how the candidate
    DSS can be augmented by assimilating NASA ESE observations and
    predictions.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Verification -- A life cycle process to ensure the products being
    developed meet the stated specifications (functional, performance,
    and design).

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Validation -- A process to ensure the completed products (software,
    algorithm, model) effectively serve the functional requirements.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Benchmark -- A standard by which a product can be measured or judged
    (i.e., How did the DSS that assimilated NASA measurements compare in
    its operation, function, and performance to the earlier version?).
    The benchmarking process is required to support adoption of
    innovative solutions into operational environments that affect life
    and property.

The desired impact for the resulting prototypes, processes, and
documentation is for the partner organizations and their customers to
derive value from the benefits of the operational use of Earth science
in serving their decision-making processes.

**2.0 Objectives and Approach**

1.  **Program Objectives and Performance Goals**

    1.  The Human Capital Development Program

> The Earth Science Applications theme addresses the objectives of the
> President's Management Agenda and the needs of NASA workforce
> development to focus on human capital development. The Earth Science
> Applications develops and benchmarks innovative integrated solutions
> that requiring new skills and knowledge on a national and
> international basis. There are two distinct systems-based program
> elements to develop capacity in the existing workforce (both internal
> and external to NASA -- the program elements are referred to as Earth
> Systems Science Distance Learning and Earth Systems Science Labor
> Force Development). Each of these programs is highly leveraged with
> other programs to deliver Earth Science Applications Content to
> existing human capital development infrastructure.
>
> The Human Capital Development Program (managed at Stennis Space
> Center) is focused on NASA initiatives and collaborations to
> accelerate the adoption of workforce development curricula and
> capacity building approaches associated with Earth science and remote
> sensing solutions for decision support. Collaborations and projects
> involving federal and state agencies, the remote sensing industry, and
> academic community are managed through this program.

2.  **Approach and Methodology for Attaining Objectives**

    1.  **Earth Systems Science Distance Learning** -- Formulate and
        develop content for distance learning systems to provide
        national and international access to key systems engineering
        capacities and knowledge required to integrate systems solutions
        based on NASA research in Earth science and related remote
        sensing, communications, and computing technologies.

> **2.2.2 Earth Systems Science Labor Force Development** -- Implement
> the systematic transfer of knowledge through collaborations with the
> Department of Labor and other federal agencies to transfer NASA and
> partnership capacity and needs.

3.  **Actions Taken/Status To-Date**

> Under the Earth Systems Science Distance Learning objective, the
> Institute for Advanced Education in Geospatial Sciences at the
> University of Mississippi is funded, via the Workforce Development
> Education and Training (WDET) project, to develop a repository of
> dynamic online coursework in the field of Geospatial Information
> Technology. The outcome of the project is a suite of 50 on-line
> courses that can be delivered anytime/anywhere via a host of delivery
> options in order to enhance the traditional university learning
> environment.
>
> Under the Earth Systems Science Labor Force Development objective, the
> University of Southern Mississippi is conducting a project that aids
> companies and educational institutions in understanding the needs of a
> geospatial workforce. This project is the National Workforce Education
> and Training Initiative (NWEDTI).

4.  **Partner Agency Planned Contributions (e.g., DSS)**

    1.  The Human Capital Development Program

> NWEDTI is partnering with the Department of Labor and possibly others
> to ensure a sustainable funding stream.

**3.0 Resources, Schedule and Project Descriptions**

1.  **Project Descriptions**

    1.  Earth Systems Science Distance Learning - WDET

> To develop a robust, integrated curriculum to educate the next
> generation of geospatial information technology specialists. To create
> a library of 50 university-level online courses reflecting a
> consistent curriculum in Remote Sensing. To develop a state-of-the-art
> course creation process and course delivery system that will be
> self-sustaining. This coursework will be delivered via various media;
> Internet, CD-ROM, DVD and compressed video, which translates into
> anywhere, anytime delivery of educational material in an interactive,
> learner-centered, multi-modal environment.
>
> This wealth of coursework will be utilized to cultivate a highly
> skilled workforce to lead the development of Geospatial Information
> Technology into the next century.
>
> The WDET FY03 Deliverables are 10 modules.

Introduction to Digital Image Processing

> John Jensen, University of South Carolina

Introduction to Geospatial Information Technology

> Arthur Lembo, Cornell University

Sensors and Platforms

> Russ Congalton, University of New Hampshire

Photogrammetry

> Gouguing Zhou, Old Dominion University

Remote Sensing of the Environment

> Karen Seto & Erica Fleishman, Stanford University

Advanced Digital Image Processing

> Lori Bruce, Mississippi State University

Aerial Photographic Interpretation

> James Campbell, Virginia Tech

Information Extraction using Microwave Data

> Richard Forster, University of Utah

Information Extraction using Multi/Hyper/Ultraspectral Data

> Conrad Bielski, JPL

Geospatial Data Synthesis and Modeling

> Lynn Usery, University of Georgia

Orbital Mechanics

> John Graham, University of Mississippi

2.  Earth Systems Science Labor Force Development - NWDETI

> **Communicate Results**: The results gathered from the NWDETI
> Workforce Competency Model research and other program activities need
> to be shared with the education, professional and industry communities
> to ensure that the needs for a well-trained geospatial workforce are
> met. This will require the NWDETI team to:

-   Assist in developing and promoting pre-service and in-service
    workshops to disseminate competency model research for the academic
    community and the geospatial industry.

-   Find and disseminate successful practices for developing and
    maintaining a geospatial workforce.

-   Produce and develop relevant materials to describe the process used
    for competency model development, the model itself and other
    significant results (i.e. video, Success Stories, presentations,
    brochures).

-   Attend and make presentations at select national conferences and
    symposia to present the Competency Model and address the need for an
    expanded geospatial workforce.

> **Evaluation**: Evaluation of the NWDETI program is critical in
> measuring its effectiveness and success. The program will be evaluated
> as to its ability to: increase awareness of geospatial technology
> solutions and related applications; establish partnerships and
> networks results; and, adequately identify and communicate geospatial
> workforce requirements. As a result, this will require the researchers
> on the NWDETI team to:

-   Conduct national surveys of businesses and schools.

-   Review extant industry data.

-   Report the results back to the team to ensure program goals and
    objectives are accomplished and are on target with identified
    industry needs.

-   Continue to verify and validate the Geospatial Workforce Competency
    Model developed in FY01 by building on the work accomplished in FY02
    and expanding a facilitated peer review and national surveys.

-   Conduct a series of specialized Return on Investment (ROI)
    evaluations to represent of the impact of the NWDETI program.

> **Remote Sensing Workforce Endowment Fund**: Building on the work
> accomplished in FY 02, the NWDETI team will establish an educational
> not-for-profit, self-sustaining organization called the Remote Sensing
> Workforce Endowment Fund. This national NWDETI organization will be
> established to:

-   Create a form to exchange information on current and future
    geospatial technology and applications as they relate to geospatial
    workforce development issues.

-   Establish procedures and protocols to award grants to support
    academic program enhancement and other geospatial workforce
    development needs.

> As such, the NWDETI team will engage in the following activities in
> FY03:

-   Incubate and staff a startup office, likely in the greater
    Washington DC area.

-   Begin efforts to solicit appropriate funding from private sources.

> **Partnerships and Networks**: Forming, expanding and maintaining
> partnerships and networks with a wide-range of government agencies,
> non-profit entities, industry leaders, and other organizations is
> crucial to leveraging the reach of the NWDETI. As a result, the NWDETI
> team will engage in the following activities in FY03:

-   Expand the formal partnership agreements with other Federal Agencies
    first formulated in FY 02 to advance NASA Stennis Space Center
    geospatial workforce development programs.

-   Organize and facilitate two NWDETI National Program Review Panel
    meetings to review efforts and strategies for workforce development
    education and training programs.

> **Educator Workshops and Training**: Educator workshops and training
> materials enable the NWDETI to reach a wide range of teachers and
> students about the benefits and uses of geospatial technology, as well
> as ensure that teachers are properly preparing their students to enter
> the workforce. In FY03, the NWDETI team will continue to:

-   Identify and develop training approaches and programs appropriate
    for geospatial education and training.

-   Design and implement educator workshops employing geospatial
    technologies.

-   Identify, collect and disseminate appropriate educational materials
    and resources on-line.

> **Increase Awareness**: Awareness and understanding of how geospatial
> technology and information can be used as a business and performance
> tool is still not widespread and acknowledged. Therefore, the NWDETI
> team will engage in the following activities in FY02 to increase
> awareness about geospatial technology and its uses and benefits:

-   Develop exhibits, publications and presentations.

-   Present and exhibit the NWDETI at national conferences and
    professional association events.

-   Leverage the Program Review Panel to identify new organizations and
    individuals to spread the knowledge of the program.

-   Distribute relevant informational materials that effectively
    communicate the needs and uses of geospatial technology and its uses
    appropriate organizations.

> **Review and Refine NWDETI Strategy**: To ensure the success of the
> NWDETI, it is critical that the program strategy (called the NWDETI
> Business Implementation Plan) be continuously reviewed to reflect the
> needs of the geospatial workforce. Using the results of the evaluation
> of the NWDETI, the team will:

-   Provide planning support to review and adjust strategies to ensure
    effective workforce development efforts.

-   Revise and/or expand the existing NWDETI Business Implementation
    Plan.

-   Ensure that the plan adhere to the Earth Science Applications
    Directorate (ESAD) Program Commitment Agreement and other relevant
    strategic documents

    1.  **Resources and Schedule (FY2003 through FY2008)**

        1.  The Human Capital Development Program

> NASA contributions to WDET in FY 03 and FY04 are \$3.0M. There is a
> commitment of \$3M annually through to the project termination in July
> 2006. NASA contributions to NWEDTI in FY 02 are \$0.75M and \$0.6 in
> FY03. NWEDTI should be transitioning to a self sustaining
> not-for-profit organization in FY04 and the last year of support from
> NASA will be \$0.54M in full cost.

2.  **FY 04 Projects**

    1.  Earth Systems Science Distance Learning

> WDET Model Curriculum Course Titles Planned for creation in FY 04
>
> Advanced Sensor Systems and Data Collection
>
> Advanced Photogrammetry
>
> Information Extraction using Thermal Infrared Data
>
> Land Use and Land Cover Applications
>
> Smart Growth and Urban Regional Planning Applications
>
> Ecosystems Modeling Applications (GAP, biodiversity, fish/wildlife)
>
> Water Resources Applications
>
> Forestry Applications
>
> Mapping (Topographic)
>
> Business Geographics