NASA Announces 2012 Summer Of Innovation Project

May 04, 2012

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


RELEASE: 12-146

NASA ANNOUNCES 2012 SUMMER OF INNOVATION PROJECT

WASHINGTON -- NASA's third annual Summer of Innovation (SOI) project
is underway. The project is providing hands-on learning opportunities
for middle school students and educators through NASA-unique science,
technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) educational activities
during the summer school break. SOI is a key component of the
agency's broader education program to increase student interest in
STEM courses, particularly among those in underserved sectors of the
academic community.

SOI uses NASA's out-of-this-world missions and technology programs to
boost interest in STEM among middle school students by offering
interactive learning experiences. This year, a major portion of the
SOI content focus will be on Curiosity, a NASA flagship science
mission currently en route to Mars and scheduled to land Aug. 6.

"NASA always has been fortunate when it comes to offering interesting
STEM education content; our missions are compelling and inspiring,"
said Leland Melvin, associate administrator for NASA Office of
Education. "Because Curiosity will reach the Red Planet during SOI
2012, it provides a timely and relevant context for teaching students
about planetary science, engineering and technology. Students will
get to see much of what they learned unfold as the rover makes its
final rendezvous with Mars."

SOI 2012 is multi-faceted and features a variety of engagement
activities offered by NASA's 10 centers located across the country.
SOS 2012 also will continue several STEM summer programs developed by
NASA's national SOI partners during 2010 and 2011.

SOI includes a competitive "mini-grant" component to assist small
education and outreach organizations in providing NASA-themed STEM
content to middle school students or teachers through existing summer
or afterschool programs. NASA plans to announce the mini-grants
proposal process and due dates within the coming weeks.

A revamped SOI website will include new products and tools for
students and educators to access virtually NASA's educational
offerings and resources. It will feature tools to download learning
and activity plans and access to current SOI NASA center
opportunities, highlights of the 2012 program and SOI contact
information.

Another exciting new web feature is a collection of SOI virtual
activity plans called "mini-camps." These eight self-contained STEM
learning modules offer one-day, two-day and weeklong programs in
fields such as rocketry, aeronautics and robotics that easily can be
tailored to a variety of audiences.

SOI debuted in 2010 as a three-year pilot program to respond to
President Obama's Educate to Innovate campaign. Since its inception,
NASA has reached more than 45,000 students; had a presence in 46
states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico; and provided
professional development opportunities for approximately 5,500
educators.

For more information about the SOI project, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/soi

For more information about NASA's broader education program, visit:


http://www.nasa.gov/education


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