NASA Advisory Council Recommendation 

FY 2014 Transitional Year for Education and Public Outreach 

2013-01-08 (EPOC-02) 

Recommendation: 

Rather than halting nearly all NASA Education and Public Outreach (EPO) programs 

immediately, fund and recast FY 2014 as a transitional year where existing programs can be 

evaluated, and slated for shutdown, transfer to other agencies, or continuance in an orderly 

fashion. In particular, the Agency should fight for continuance ofEPO activities that are enabled 

by capabilities that are uniquely NASA's. 

Major Reasons for Proposing the Recommendation: 

NASA EPO programs are arguably the most inspirational and successful infusion ofscience into 


the public consciousness. In a time of austerity we recognize it is important to consolidate 


education efforts and eliminate redundancies. NASA programs built around missions such as 


Hubble and Curiosity are, however, unique and NASA-specific, as they are built around dynamic 


missions, not textbook knowledge. We feel that thoughtful deliberation is necessary to develop a 


transition plan which preserves NASA's unique capabilities, eliminates redundancies, and best 


serves the interests and strategic vision ofour nation. 


Consequences ofNo Action on the Proposed Recommendation: 


Immediate shutdown will prematurely terminate programs in progress, cause loss ofNASA's 


educational institutional knowledge, and dramatically disrupt the continuity of public messaging 


at a time when NASA's popularity and inspirational impact are at a decades-high level. We also 


feel cutting NASA's educational programs will significantly degrade the nation's Science, 


Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education capability during this critical 


time. 


NASA Response: 


NASA's Office ofEducation appreciates the support and insight ofthe NASA Advisory Council; 


however, NASA non-concurs with the recommendation. Consistent with the Administration's 


plan, NASA's Office ofEducation will lead the Agency's coordination with other Federal 


agencies in pursuit ofthe Administration's Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics 


(STEM) education goals. NASA will strive to maintain the best ofthese activities, which 


provide unique NASA experiences and resources to students and faculty. 


NASA's education portfolio will focus on four priorities, which will contribute toward the 


Administration's goals for STEM education: STEM Engagement, NASA Internships, 


Fellowships and Scholarships, Educator Professional Development, and Institutional 


Engagement. In a new approach, NASA will consolidate the education functions, assets, and 


efforts ofthe Mission Directorates, Offices, and Centers into a single coordinated STEM 


Education and Accountability Project. 


Enclosure 
2 

As part ofNASA's STEM interagency coordination effort, NASA will ensure that the Agency's 

assets are put to use effectively in support ofthe STEM activities that will be directed by the 

National Science Foundation, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Department ofEducation. 

NASA will make its rich content knowledge and other assets available to these agencies as they 

facilitate Federal STEM education activities through the Administration's Committee on STEM 

Education (CoSTEM) process for agency coordination, bringing NASA's inspirational activities 

to a broader audience. This includes the infrastructure necessary to support the rigorous 

collection, evaluation, and dissemination of evidence ofNASA's contributions towards the 

achievement ofthe wider STEM goals. 

Representatives from the 13 Federal agencies are meeting to ensure that the Federal assets 

entrusted to each agency are coordinated and put to best use in support ofthe Nation's educators 

and learners. NASA is committed to close collaboration with other STEM agencies and to 

inspiring future generations to seek careers in aerospace.