From Newsgroup: sci.space.news

May 04, 2011

Ann Marie Trotta 
Headquarters, Washington                          
202-358-1601 
ann.marie.trotta{at}nasa.gov 


RELEASE: 11-135

NASA SELECTS SUMMER OF INNOVATION PROJECTS

WASHINGTON -- NASA announced partnerships with nine organizations that 
will help the agency implement its 2011 Summer of Innovation (SoI) 
education program. 

SoI uses NASA's out-of-this-world missions and technology programs to 
boost summer learning in science, technology, engineering and 
mathematics, or STEM, particularly for underrepresented and 
underperforming students. 

The SoI 2011 partners are: 
- Chester County Intermediate School District-Unit 24, Downingtown, 
Pa. 
- Albany State University, Albany, Ga. 
- Nebraska Department of Education, Lincoln 
- Dorothy Jemison Foundation for Excellence, Houston 
- University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 
- Puerto Rico Institute of Robotics, Inc., San Juan, Puerto Rico 
- Rio Grande Valley Science Association, Edinburgh, Texas 
- Indiana Association of United Ways, Inc., Indianapolis 
- South Dakota Discovery Center and Aquarium, Pierre 

"I am delighted that we have such a broad and diverse group of partner 
organizations ready to implement this year's Summer of Innovation 
program." said Leland Melvin, NASA associate administrator for 
education. "We look forward to building on the momentum that began 
last year, so we can engage and inspire even more middle school 
students to reach higher and pursue STEM career opportunities." 

NASA intends to award nine cooperative agreements for these SoI 
partnerships that total approximately $6.75 million. Awards have a 
period of performance of 48 months. The selected partners will engage 
students during the summer with follow up during the academic year 
through afterschool programs. 

Awardees will develop strong collaborations between school districts 
and informal education providers to excite and engage thousands of 
students in high quality learning experiences. NASA also will support 
these partner institutions as they engage local teachers in 
professional development to support high quality instruction in STEM 
disciplines. 

NASA's goal is to increase the number of future scientists, 
mathematicians and engineers, with an emphasis on broadening 
participation by low-income and minority students. 

For more information about the Summer of Innovation program, visit: 

http://www.nasa/gov/soi 

For information about NASA's education programs, visit: 

http://www.nasa.gov/education 
	
-end-

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