Online training opportunities for the Solar System Educators will be delivered via the Internet. JPL is committed to inspiring teachers and students through the excitement of space exploration. The Virginia Space Grant Consortium is part of NASA's National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program. It is a coalition of Virginia unversities, state educational agencies, Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology, NASA Langley Research Center and other organizations with a strong interest in aerospace education and research. The Consortium coordinates and develops aerospace-related and high technology educational and research efforts throughout Virginia and manages many national programs as well.
Educational programs involve both precollege and higher education levels.
In its ten-year history, the Consortium has successfully implemented more than 100 precollege programs conservatively reaching more than 2 million students and 64,000 teachers. A wide range of educational programming is offered, including distance learning programs, professional development programs for teachers, and programs and activities for students. The partnership with Space Explorers, Inc. builds on an existing partnership to bring the SEI's MoonLink missions to Virginia classrooms. The Internet-based program uses simulated missions to involve students in NASA's Lunar Prospector Mission. Space Explorers, Inc. is a leader in providing schools with innovative Internet based programs.