The NASA Mission Statement -
To pioneer the future in space exploration, science discovery, and aeronautics research.
The NASA Vision Statement -
To advance U.S. scientific, security, and economic interests through a robust space exploration program.
The Oklahoma Space Grant Consortium (OSGC) Vision -
OSGC represents a statewide partnership of universities, a cooperative extension service, state government, city government, industry, and a major science museum working to enhance opportunities for Oklahomans to understand and participate in NASA’s mission directorates by supporting programs in science, mathematics, engineering, technology, education, geography, and other aeronautics and space related disciplines throughout the state.
What is the OSGC?
In 1988, Congress passed the National Space Grant Act to establish a National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program. NASA accepted the Congressional mandate to manage this higher education program, designed to provide activities that increase the understanding, assessment, development, and utilization of aerospace resources and to expand the educational, scientific, and research base of all aerospace-related fields. The Oklahoma Space Grant Consortium is one of 52 consortia (representing every state, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia).
What does the OSGC do?
The OSGC supports endeavors throughout the State of Oklahoma that are related to NASA’s mission. This is accomplished through…
1. Providing support for promising students, professors, and research in aerospace-related fields.
2. Sponsoring internships for affiliate university students to NASA Centers and other aerospace-related institutions.
3. Inspiring and training current and future educators to use aerospace-related materials to achieve educational objectives in the classroom.
4. Creating, organizing, conducting, and financially supporting programs for Oklahomans to better understand NASA’s work.
The Oklahoma Space Grant Consortium (OSGC) supports educational endeavors throughout the State of Oklahoma that are related to NASA’s mission. As encouraged by NASA, the OSGC seeks to incorporate the following into its programs:
1. Evidence of adequate opportunity for students at affiliate institutions to participate.
2. Emphasis on representation (among applicants and awardees) of women, under-represented groups, and persons with disabilities.
3. Fair and competitive application and award processes.
4. Criteria for success by which the effectiveness of the program can be demonstrated.
5. Inculcation of a sense of social responsibility within the design of the programs, perhaps through a mentoring component.
6. Accurate annual fellowship disbursement and tracking reports for NASA Headquarters.
The OSGC’s areas of concentration include Fellowship Funds, Research Infrastructure, Higher Education, Pre-College Education, General Public Outreach, and External Relations.
NASA Space Grant Fellowship Funds are to be used for college students only. They may be awarded to graduate students, in which case they are termed fellowships; or as scholarships to undergraduate students. Fellowship Funds are not to be used for faculty or K-12 students, although limited Fellowship Funds may be awarded to faculty of Capability Enhancement Consortia. The criteria, recruitment, selection, duration, purposes, activities, and amounts are at the discretion of the Consortium, and should be within defined objectives. Teaching assistantships and research assistantships involving salaries or stipends may be supported using Fellowship Funds. Indirect costs may not be charged to fellowships or scholarships. Any administrative costs associated with fellowship and scholarship programs must be included in the Consortium administrative costs.
Research Infrastructure refers to all the organizational factors that promote the development and maintenance of research in an organization. These factors include seed money for research, release time for proposal writing, use of facilities, establishment of research collaborations, computer services, and equipment. Exclusive of a fellowship award, Research Infrastructure may also encompass research related graduate school support.
Higher Education encompasses activities that benefit post-secondary students, faculty, or both. Activities include, but are not limited to, curriculum development, design and implementation of new major and minor areas of study, hands-on activities, conferences, other research related student support (exclusive of fellowships/scholarships), and workshops, as well as the development and dissemination of software, problem sets, videos, publications, and labs. Higher Education projects are excellent means for the OSGC to promote the use of mentors and role models, as well as to establish interdisciplinary courses and centers.
Pre-College Education (K-12) projects and activities enhance and broaden the knowledge of both students and teachers, and include in-service teacher preparation and enhancement, curriculum development, and student opportunities. Such activities occur in a formal educational setting. (In-service activities serve practicing pre-college teachers as opposed to pre-service activities that serve individuals who are preparing to become teachers).
General Public Outreach refers to science and technology-based programs and activities that serve industry, State and local government, nonprofit organizations, and children and adults. Examples are non-technical courses, lectures, science fairs and radio and television programs designed to stimulate a broad interest in, and understanding of, various scientific areas, and generally occur inside a formal education setting. Technical presentations targeted toward faculty and students, but which are open to the public, should be considered higher education, and not general public.
External Relations refers to programs using the name, personnel, and facilities of a university or college which serve institutions not covered by the K-12 and General Public sections. Target institutions include industry, professional societies, international organizations, and nonprofit organizations, as well as federal, State and local government. It is expected that the programs will involve the provision of expert advice and/or training. This does not include consulting, which is considered a private arrangement not formally involving the university or the Space Grant Consortium.