National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

NASA OFFICE OF STEM ENGAGEMENT UPDATE

MIKE KINCAID

ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR FOR STEM ENGAGEMENT
National Aeronautics and NASA STEM Space Administration

ENGAGEMENT UPDATE

Transition and Fiscal Climate

BSA Update

Significant Milestones

Summary and Q&A
National Aeronautics and VISION & MISSION Space Administration

Vision:

We immerse the public in NASA’s work, enhance STEM literacy, 

and inspire the next generation to explore.

Mission:

We engage the nation in NASA’s mission

Create unique opportunities 

for students and the public to 

contribute to NASA’s work in 

exploration and discovery.

Build a diverse future STEM 

workforce by engaging students 

in authentic learning experiences

with NASA’s people, content and 

facilities.

Strengthen public 

understanding by enabling 

powerful connections to 

NASA’s mission and work.

FOCUS

AREAS
National Aeronautics and

Space Administration MISSION-DRIVEN

STRATEGIC

ENGAGEMENT
National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

Image Credited to U.S. 

Department of Education

STEM Learning Ecosystem
U.S. STEM 

Challenges

NASA & Aerospace 

Industry Workforce 

Needs

NASA Mission 

Needs 

NASA’s Contributions to the STEM Ecosystem

Students and 

Educational 

Institutions

NASA STEM 

Engagement

• U.S. PISA scores 

26th internationally

• Projected STEM 

R&D job growth 

8.9% through 2024

• Women in S&E 

occupations <33%

• Underrepresented 

minorities in S&E 

<11% below their 

share of the 

population (27%)

• NASA workforce 

average age: 48.9

• Diverse pipeline

• Research

• Technology 

development

• Authentic STEM 

learning 

experiences

• Research 

opportunities

Contributions to 

national 

economy

STEM Domain

Experts 
FY 2016 Annual Performance Report

Establish an agency STEM Engagement strategy and an operational model 

• An agency vision, mission and strategy, to frame and align the agency’s STEM 

engagement portfolio will:

– Focus on students as beneficiaries and structured model

– Be mission-driven architecture for scope and approach

– Focus on evidence-based NASA-unique learning experiences enabling student contributions to 

NASA’s work in action

• Effective, integrated governance via STEM Engagement Council

• Re-invigorated agency function and HQ functional office

• Rigorous planning process

• Integrated operational model and agency STEM Engagement portfolio

• Effective program and fiscal management

• Capabilities driven approach for agency roles and responsibilities

• New approach and tools for performance measurement and assessment 

• Scalability and magnified impact through strategic partnerships

Our STEM Engagement Roadmap
National Aeronautics and New Architecture Enabling Student Space Administration

Opportunities & Contributions

NASA Mission Directorate Drivers & 

Requirements

STEM and Public Engagement

Focus Areas

Scalability to magnify NASA’s reach and impact

Pre-K-Elementary Middle School High School Undergraduate Graduate

Beneficiaries of NASA’s STEM Engagement 

Portfolio

Creating unique opportunities for 

for students to contribute to 

NASA's workforce.

Building a diverse future STEM 

workforce by engaging students in 

authentic learning experiences.

Strengthening public understanding 

by enabling powerful connections 

to NASA’s mission and work.

Evidence-

based 

strategies

Rigorous 

planning

Integrated 

operational 

model 

Strategic, 

balanced 

portfolio

NASA-unique 

learning 

experiences

Student 

contributions 

to NASA’s 

work in action
National Aeronautics and

Space Administration Fiscal Climate

$M FY 2017 FY 2108 FY 2019

Actual Actual President’s House

(Proposed)

Senate

(Proposed)

Space 

Grant

40.00 40.00 0.00 40.00 40.00

MUREP 32.00 32.00 0.00 32.00 32.00

EPSCoR 18.00 18.00 0.00 18.00 18.00

SEAP 10.00 10.00 0.00 -- 10.00

TOTAL 100.00 100.00 0.00 90.00 100.00
National Aeronautics and NASA STEM Space Administration

ENGAGEMENT UPDATE

Transition and Fiscal Climate

BSA Update

Significant Milestones

Q&A
National Aeronautics and STEM Engagement Space Administration

BSA Implementation Phase FY2018 Milestones

90 Days

January – March 2018

180 Days

April – June 2018

270 Days

July – September 2018

Governance

 Gain approval for STEM Engagement Council (SEC)

 Define charter and establish SEC

 Develop STEM Engagement NPD

 Develop STEM Engagement scope and definitions

 Define STEM Engagement functional elements

 Define Office of STEM Engagement structure

 Conduct analysis of existing infrastructure, tools & systems

 Initiate and conduct SEC operations

 Establish STEM Engagement NPD

 Establish STEM Engagement function

 Establish Office of STEM Engagement

• Initiate efforts to build STEM Engagement Community 

of Practice

 Establish SEC functional working groups 

• Complete transition to new Office of 

STEM Engagement

• Joint SEC-CCC efforts to ensure 

alignment and progress on BSA 

implementation

• Develop an approach to strategic 

partnerships

Program 

Management

 Conduct stakeholder discussions

 Research agency metrics approach

 Develop integrated master schedule

 Research and initiate capabilities assessment

 Perform programmatic baseline assessment

 Initiate communications approach

 Develop and establish agency Strategic 

Implementation Plan, including goals and strategies

 Develop agency metrics approach

• Develop annual planning cycle

• Complete capabilities assessment

• Conduct integrated program assessment 

• Develop communications strategy

• Establish STEM engagement implementation teams

• Put processes in place for oversight and 

integration

• Establish and implement agency metrics 

approach

• Establish annual planning cycle

Grants 

Management

 Conduct assessment of grants management fiscal 

performance and practices. 

 Put in place initial changes in fiscal practices and operational 

approach. 

 Develop financial performance metrics and 

accountability measures

• Establish dedicated grants website
National Aeronautics and NASA STEM Space Administration

ENGAGEMENT UPDATE

Transition and Fiscal Climate

BSA Update

Significant Milestones

Q&A
National Space Grant and 

Fellowship Program (Space Grant)

At A Glance

• 52 state-based consortia

• 850 Affiliate members

• Incorporates State priorities, 

needs, and goals

Impact

• Contribute to solving Mission 

Directorate challenges

• Increase collaboration and 

engagement with Space Grant 

and NASA Centers

• Increase NASA related skills and 

diversity in the Nations STEM 

workforce

• Publicize and Promote NASA’s 

accomplishments and missions 

across the Nation

Elements of the Approach

• Mission Directorate 

Collaborations

• Strategic Partnership with 

NASA Centers

• Education, Research, and 

Informal Education 

Opportunities

• State-based Consortia 

Partnerships 

NASA Mission Directorate Drivers & Requirements
National Aeronautics and Space Grant Update Space Administration

• 225 intern placements in 2018 across 52 

consortia

• Southern Regional Education Board 2018 

(10/25-28)

o Office of STEM Engagement will sponsor 10 

students

• Participating in NASA’s collaboration with 

various industry and academic partners to 

celebrate NASA’s 60th Anniversary in Space
15

At A Glance

• Limited to Minority-Serving 

Institutions 

• Responsive to Presidential 

Executive Orders

• Portfolio includes 7 funded 

activities

Elements of the Approach

• Student Opportunities

• MSI Partnerships and 

Sustainability

• Mission Directorate 

Collaborations

• K-12 Engagement

Impact

• Contribute to solving 

Mission Directorate 

problems

• Increased STEM Awareness

• Increase retention of 

Underserved and 

Underrepresented groups in 

STEM

• Enhance MSI infrastructure

• Enable MSI sustainability

New Minority University Research and 

Education Project (MUREP) Engagement

NASA Mission Directorate Drivers & Requirements
National Aeronautics and Recent MUREP Awards Space Administration

MUREP Innovations in Space Technology Curriculum (MISTC)

Help schools establish new courses that contribute to preparation, training and development of NASA’s future 

workforce.

– Bronx Community College (Bronx, New York)

– College of the Desert (Palm Desert, California)

– Los Angeles Pierce College (Woodland Hills, California)

– Passaic County Community College, Patterson, New Jersey

– Prince George’s Community College, Upper Marlboro, Maryland

MUREP Aerospace Academy (MAA)

Build interest, skills and knowledge necessary for K-12 students to pursue STEM careers

– Albany State University (Albany, Georgia)

– California State University (Fresno, California)

– Elizabeth City State University (Elizabeth City, North Carolina)

– Navajo Technical College (Crownpoint, New Mexico)

– Tennessee State University (Nashville, Tennessee)

– Texas State University (San Marcos, Texas)

– The University of Texas (El Paso, Texas)

MUREP for Sustainability and Innovation Collaborative (MUSIC)

Communicate and encourage best practices, capabilities and opportunities amongst Minority Serving 

Institutions enabling MSI fiscal sustainability

– Alabama A&M University (Huntsville, AL)

– The Quality Education for Minorities (QEM) Network (Washington, DC)

– University of Hawai’i at Manoa (Hawaii)
At A Glance

• 27 Eligible States and 

Territories

• Incorporates State 

priorities, needs, and goals

Elements of the Approach

• NASA Aligned 

University Research 

Opportunities

• ISS Flight 

Opportunities

• State Research 

Infrastructure 

Development

Impact

• Expand universities’ NASA 

unique knowledge base 

• Enhance state’s NASA 

specific research capabilities

• Promote NASA associated 

innovations

• Publicize NASA EPSCoR 

exclusive research results 

and activities

• Produce NASA qualified 

STEM workforce

Established Program to Stimulate 

Competitive Research (EPSCoR)

NASA Mission Directorate Drivers & Requirements
National Aeronautics and EPSCoR 2018 Activities Space Administration

EPSCoR funded research assistant 

analyzes impact of 9 years of space 

radiation on light fixture materials 

from the ISS for the EPSCoR Rapid 

Response Research Project

• Conducting ISS Flight Opportunity Solicitation

• Conducting a Research Infrastructure Development RID) Solicitation

• Conducting a Basic Research Solicitation

• Conducting Rapid Response Research (R3) Solicitation

• Held All-Agency (EICC) EPSCoR Director’s Meeting in DC

• Held 2018 EPSCoR Director’s National Meeting in Greenbelt, MD

• Held Technical Interchange Meeting with GSFC

• Implemented an EPSCoR/MIRO Collaboration Project

Established Program to

Stimulate Competitive Research 

(EPSCoR)
19

At A Glance

• Investments in formal and 

informal education 

communities

• Expanded ability to provide 

richer, more comprehensive 

STEM engagement 

opportunities

Impact

• Contribute to solving Mission 

Directorate challenges

• Leverage Center skills and 

capabilities

• Increase STEM Skills and 

Identity

• Enabling scalable 

Partnerships to increase 

NASA’s reach 

Elements of the Approach

• Mission Directorate 

Collaborations

• NASA-unique Student Projects 

and Challenges

• Educator Engagement

• Evidence-based Audience 

Needs

• Strategic Partnerships

STEM Education and Accountability Projects 

(SEAP) / NextGen STEM Project

NASA Mission Directorate Drivers & Requirements
National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

How Does Next Gen STEM Enable Agency Success?

• Funds mission-driven initiatives with informal educational institutions and sustains 

NASA’s Museum Alliance.

• Pilots new and unique opportunities to stimulate STEM engagement and learning 

experiences.

• Provides capacity to balance our agency STEM engagement portfolio – fills gaps.

• Target and engage with appropriate strategic partners (federal, non-profit, industry) to 

scale opportunities.

• Sustains capabilities and human resources at NASA Centers that provide students 

direct access to NASA’s STEM domain experts, facilities and unique experiences.
National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

TEAM II / CP4SMPVC* 

AWARDS 

85 Grants and 2008-2018

Cooperative Agreements

Over $56.6M

awarded

*Competitive Program for Science Museums, Planetariums, and Visitors Centers
National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

Teams Engaging Affiliated Museums and Informal 

Institutions (TEAM II)

“Small Steps to Giant Leaps” 50th Apollo 

11 Landing Anniversary theme

Kansas Cosmosphere

Apollo Redux: Inspiring Next Generations of Engineers and 

Scientists through use of Historic Mission Operation Control 

Room Consoles and Simfault Interactive Programs

Arizona Science Center

The Moon and Beyond: An Immersive Game for STEM 

Learning in Museums and Planetariums. 

Fairchild Tropical Garden

Growing Beyond Earth Innovation Studio. 

“Beyond Low-Earth Orbit” theme

Three selected in 2018
National Aeronautics and

Space Administration Year of 

Education on 

Station (YES!)

58 DOWNLINKS reaching

162,000 STUDENTS

And 38,000 TEACHERS

65 TOTAL PLANNED

by Oct 3 (end of YES)

Driven a 30.2% increase in 

traffic to STEM on Station 

website

53,071 views per month

40,749 in the same period 

before YES
National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

Social Engagement 

with YES

Space to Ground episode (Christa’s Lost Lessons)

Over 3,000 views on Youtube

1800 mentions on Twitter

#TeacheronBoard

Used over 13,000 times during YES

Total reach of 748m viewers

#STEMonStation

Used 8,600 times

Total Reach of 532m viewers

Teacher appreciation week:

NASA’s #thankateacher was mentioned on social 

media in 2,800 times in one week.
National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

Available for free:

nasa.gov/STEMonstrations

CLASSROOM

CONNECTIONS

STEMONSTRATIONS

National Aeronautics and

Space Administration
National Aeronautics and Christa’s Lost Space Administration

Lessons

Honoring Christa and 

teachers everywhere in 

partnership with The 

Challenger Center

www.challenger.org/christa
National Aeronautics and NASA STEM Space Administration

ENGAGEMENT UPDATE

Transition and Fiscal Climate

BSA Update

Significant Milestones:

Summary and Q&A
National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

• STEM Engagement – What’s NEW??

• Agency strategy and portfolio aligned with mission focus areas 

and strategic objectives and outcomes

• Mission-driven investments and activities

• Focus on students as beneficiaries:

– Evidence-based, authentic learning experiences 

– Contributions to NASA’s work and mission

• Scalability via strategic partnerships

• Sustainable approach to performance measurement

• Solicitations awarded across all Major Programs

• Upcoming Space STEM Forum, Sept. 19

Summary
National Aeronautics and Space STEM Forum Space Administration

Space STEM Forum: 

NASA HQ on Sept. 19, 2018, 9:00 am-4:30 pm

Forum Theme: 

Small Steps to Giant Leaps, Looking Forward to the Future of 

Space Exploration 

Purpose: 

Identify opportunities to collaborate and leverage our individual 

STEM engagement activities and efforts with industry and 

professional organizations

Abstracts: 

Approximately 22 abstracts will be selected, with about 16 

involving national efforts/projects and about 6 on resources and 

capabilities

Website: 

Collaborative work website and public website will be created to 

facilitate implementation of outcomes

Small Steps to Giant 

Leaps, Looking 

Forward to the 

Future of Space 

Exploration
National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

QUESTIONS?
National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

THANK YOU!