NASA to Work With D.C. Public Schools to Mentor Students With Disabilities

Dec. 14, 2012

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


RELEASE: 12-432

NASA TO WORK WITH D.C. PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO MENTOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

WASHINGTON -- NASA's Office of Education has entered into a memorandum
of agreement with District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) to help
foster science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) educational
opportunities among high school students with disabilities.

This collaboration is part of the broader DCPS Competitive Employment
Opportunity Program, a career-focused mentoring program that connects
selected high school students with disabilities to professional
mentors in the greater District of Columbia community. The program
provides students with career exploration opportunities, soft skill
training and career goal-setting support, and culminates with a
mentor-supported, career-focused capstone project.

"NASA Education is committed to using the excitement and appeal of the
agency's programs and missions to encourage students to pursue STEM
studies and careers," said James Stofan, the agency's deputy
associate administrator for education program integration. "We
particularly want to encourage students who are underserved or
underrepresented in STEM to explore the many opportunities that
pursuing this course of study can offer. This partnership will help
us do just that."

The initial phase of this mentorship and collaboration will take place
during the first half of next year. NASA will invite some
participants to a summer internship with the agency in 2013.

For more information about NASA's education programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/education

To learn more about the DCPS Competitive Employment Opportunity
program, visit:

http://dcpsceo.com/


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