National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration

May 2, 2019

NAC Recommendation 

NASA’s Role in Sparking STEM Interest
NAC Recommendation #2: 

Spark that Leads to Engagement

• Recommendation #2: The Office of STEM Engagement should create a deep and comprehensive 

document that describes what we know about sparking student interest (spark), STEM engagement, and 

motivation, and use it to create the foundational evidence for the Office.

• Major Reasons for the Recommendation: NASA is uniquely positioned to inspire and motivate the 

country with their work. As good stewards of a limited budget, NASA strives to maximize its 

investments. If NASA could better understand spark, STEM engagement, and motivation, it could be 

more effective—basing investment decisions on evidence of what works. The Committee feels there is 

sufficient ambiguity in the field about spark, STEM engagement, and motivation that the Agency should 

invest in a deeper review of the evidence-based strategies and practices that promote spark, STEM 

engagement, and motivation.

• Consequences of No Action on the Recommendation: Lack of action on this recommendation relegates 

NASA to using secondary indicators of effectiveness, and could lead to less effective investment 

decisions. NASA will have limited impact, and will be at greater risk of duplication of ineffective 

activities.

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NAC Recommendation #2: Spark that Leads to Engagement

Create a deep and 

comprehensive 

document that 

describes what is 

known about: 

• Sparking student 

interest, 

• STEM engagement, 

and 

• Motivation.

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The report will provide 

foundational evidence 

that will be used to 

inform: 

• NASA’s portfolio of 

STEM Engagement 

investments and

• The design, execution, 

and performance 

measurement of 

NASA’s STEM 

Engagement activities.

NAC 

Recommendation #2 Proposed Approach Utility

• Engage a panel of nationally recognized 

STEM education subject matter experts 

(SME) to develop recommendations for 

NASA’s continued success in STEM 

engagement. 

• Convene a Sparking STEM Interest Forum 

with SMEs at NASA HQ to discuss and 

prioritize recommendations.

• Create a report of STEM education SME 

findings, recommendations, and next 

steps for continuing the line of research. 
OSTEM Portfolio

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Sparking 

student 

interest, 

STEM 

engagement, 

and 

Motivation
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1. What is the appropriate role in sparking STEM interest for NASA that is unique from 

other federal agencies? In sustaining STEM interest? In developing and sustaining 

students’ intrinsic motivation to persist in STEM academic and career pursuits? 

• What research-based effective strategies should NASA incorporate into the 

design and execution of STEM engagement activities to spark STEM interest 

in diverse student populations, specifically groups traditionally underserved 

or underrepresented in STEM fields? To sustain STEM interest? To develop 

and sustain students’ intrinsic motivation to persist in STEM academic and 

career pursuits?

Draft Questions

Create a deep and 

comprehensive 

document that 

describes what is 

known about: 

• Sparking student 

interest, 

• STEM engagement, 

and 

• Motivation.

NAC 

Recommendation #2

What should NASA 

do to find success in 

STEM Engagement?

2. To what extent are NASA’s goals and priorities for STEM engagement designed to 

support sparking STEM interest? Sustaining STEM interest? Developing and 

sustaining students’ intrinsic motivation to persist in STEM academic and career 

pursuits?

3. To what extent is the NASA STEM Engagement Strategy an effective document to 

guide the design and execution of activities that will spark STEM interest? Sustain 

STEM interest? Developing and sustaining students’ intrinsic motivation to persist 

in STEM academic and career pursuits?
Phase One Key Milestones

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Timeline Phase One Key Milestones

April 2019 • STEM Education SME’s identified

May 2019 • Orientation webinar for STEM Education SMEs

• STEM Education SMEs generate abstracts and research prospectus 

document

June 2019 • STEM Education SME’s finalize abstracts and research prospectus

• PAEIM Team develops workshop agenda and structure

• PAEIM Team completes logistics and travel for staff and STEM Education 

SMEs for workshop

July 2019 • Convene STEM Education SME workshop at NASA HQ

• PAEIM Team generates report of workshop findings

August 2019 • PAEIM Team finalizes report of workshop findings