NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Request for Proposal - Related Resources

Information About How to Obtain and Display Retired NASA Space Shuttles and Related Artifacts
NASA's primary focus is to ensure that the space shuttle safely and successfully completes its mission of finishing the assembly of the International Space Station. NASA intends to transfer the shuttle orbiter Discovery to the Smithsonian Institution, National Air and Space Museum. NASA has made no decisions on final disposition of the shuttle orbiters Atlantis and Endeavour. Museums and other eligible institutions of informal education may have the ability to obtain NASA space shuttles and related artifacts via their state agencies for surplus property that have access to the General Services Administration’s automated system: GSAXcess.

Learn more by visiting:
> Shuttle to Constellation Transition Web site
> NASA Space Shuttle Program Artifacts Pamphlet (PDF)

Competitive Program for Science Museums and Planetariums (CP4SMP)
In FY 2008, NASA's informal education program started "a competitive program as authorized by section 616 of PL 109-155 for science museums and planetariums to enhance programs related to space exploration, aeronautics, space science, Earth science or microgravity." Congress directed: "To the extent possible, NASA is urged to use education funds to address the educational needs of women, minorities, and other historically underrepresented groups." (Source: http://legislative.nasa.gov/PL110-161.pdf  →) The program is authorized by PL (Public Law) 109-155 SEC. 616. MUSEUMS: "The Administrator may provide grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements with, museums and planetariums to enable them to enhance programs related to space exploration, aeronautics, space science, earth science, or microgravity." http://legislative.nasa.gov/PL110-161.pdf  →

NASA issued the FY 2009 NASA Research Announcement or request for proposals under Announcement Number: NNH09ZNE005N
Proposal Due Date: September 10, 2009

The predecessor to CP4SMP was entitled NASA's Explorer Institutes, or NEI, a small competitive funding opportunity for informal education partnerships. Given the advent of CP4MSP, NEI is on hiatus. In FY 2008, funding for legacy NEI activities such as the Museum Alliance managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, or JPL, is subsumed in CP4SMP. Lessons learned from NEI projects and overall goals influenced the design of the FY 2008 NRA.

All NASA education projects respond to the requirements of the Office of Management and Budget's Program Assessment Rating Tool, also referred to as PART, and of the Academic Competitiveness Council established by The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-171). The ACC identified four categories of STEM education programs (i.e., K-12; Undergraduate; Graduate/Post-graduate; Outreach/Informal); and established common standards for measuring and evaluating each program category. ACC details these metrics at http://www.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/competitiveness/acc-mathscience/index.html   →.


While waiting for the issuance of any new NASA education request for proposals, a proposal writer may want to take a look at the following Web sites for additional information.

-- NASA's new research grant handbook at: http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/nraguidebook/

-- NASA's Education Strategic Coordination Framework aligns NASA's total education portfolio (including any museum program) with the NASA Strategic Plan. The document builds on the education goals identified in the Agency 2006 Strategic Plan and identifies three specific and measurable outcomes to allow achievement of those goals. The framework may be downloaded from: http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Strategic_Coordination_Framework.html

-- All NASA proposals typically are predicated on a unique NASA-produced science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM, content or mission. The NASA Education Web site provides contact information to NASA Mission Directorate Education leads that are familiar with NASA priority content as well as NASA Center Education Directors. Details and contact info at: http://education.nasa.gov/edoffices/overview/index.html

-- All NASA education projects respond to the demands the Office of Management and Budget’s Program Assessment Rating Tool, also referred to as PART, and of the Academic Competitiveness Council established by The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-171). The ACC identified four 4 categories of STEM education programs (i.e. K-12; Undergraduate; Graduate/Post-graduate; Outreach/Informal); and established common standards for measuring and evaluating each program category. ACC details these metrics at: http://www.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/competitiveness/acc-mathscience/index.html   →

-- Congress has instructed in FY 08: “To the extent possible, NASA is urged to use education funds to address the educational needs of women, minorities, and other historically underrepresented groups.”

There are many ways NASA grantees can to be responsive to Congress. For example, alliances with existing or recent participants in NASA Minority University Research and Education Programs or NASA explorer Schools that address NASA’s responsiveness to Federal mandates related to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Other Minority Universities, including Hispanic Serving Institutions and Tribal Colleges and Universities and serving high-needs K-12 students.

For advice on finding a NASA MUREP partner, contact:
Dr. Carl Person
Phone: 202-358-2378
E-mail: cperson@nasa.gov

NASA Explorer schools contact:
Chris Hartenstine
Partnership and Sustainability Coordinator
NASA Explorer Schools
NASA Glenn Research Center
21000 Brookpark Road, MS 500-107
Cleveland, OH 44135
Phone: 216.433.2755 Fax: 216.433.3344
E-mail: Christopher.A.Hartenstine@nasa.gov

-- A state or regional NASA Space Grant Consortium may be another avenue for ideas about NASA. Visit the NASA Space Grant Web site at: http://education.nasa.gov/edprograms/national/spacegrant/home/index.html

-- We also encourage you to sign up for NASA's education Express Newsletter to receive just in time information on NASA education programs and funding opportunities at: http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/index.html


Other Links of Interest

Chandra   →
The Chandra site offers a list of resources for museums, planetariums, broadcast producers and other special venues.

Futuristic Concepts   →
The Mars Image Gallery has image, video and animation collections.

HubbleSource   →
This site has informal education resources from the home of NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope.

Institute on Climate and Planets   →
ICP education materials are driven by fundamental questions and topics scientists deal with in climate and environmental research. The lessons and modules are problem-based investigations for middle and high school students.

Join 'Inside Einstein's Universe'   →
The NASA-Smithsonian UniverseForum supports museums, science centers, planetariums and other science education organizations.

Night Sky Network   →
Learn how astronomy clubs bring the wonders of the universe to the public.

Origins Education Forum   →
Origins products are available to museums, planetariums, science centers or other special venues.

Saturn for Museums and More   →
Educational resources about the Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn and Titan are available to museums and informal educators.

Solar System Exploration: Museums & Planetariums   →
An interactive calendar showcases what's happening out in the solar system and back on Earth. Included are launches, mission events, anniversaries, celestial events and even a few birthdays.

Solar System Exploration for Community Groups   →
Request a speaker, use the Fast Resource Finder to access activities for teachers and community group leaders, and view the image gallery.

Solar System Exploration for Museums and Planetariums   →
Use the multimedia gallery to build presentations and planetarium shows, visit the Cosmic Calendar to check on happenings in the solar system and back on Earth, learn about NASA's resources, and try fun activities for kids.

Space Weather Exhibit   →
The unique mission of the Space Science Institute is to integrate scientific research with education and public outreach.

Spitzer at CalTech   →
Keep up with the latest observations by the Spitzer Space Telescope. Visit the Cool Cosmos section for education and public outreach information.

SunWorks Traveling Exhibit   →
View the images from the SunWorks exhibit and follow its show tour.