Interdisciplinary National Science Project Incorporating Research and Education Experience
[Students Grades 9-12 and Higher Education]
[Available: Nationally]
The Interdisciplinary National Science Project Incorporating Research and Education Experience, or INSPIRE, is a multi-tiered student pipeline project for students and their parent or legal guardian. Participating students must be in grades 9-12 or in their freshman year of college. INSPIRE is designed to provide grade-appropriate NASA-related resources and experiences to encourage and reinforce students' aspirations to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, education and careers. The project also offers resources and information for parents to help them better champion their student's goals. INSPIRE provides participants a rich online community, as well as opportunities to compete to participate in NASA/STEM Experiences. INSPIRE participants will be matched to one of the 10 NASA facilities, based on the participant's place of residence and the NASA facility Area of Service. See the NASA facility table below for the definition of each facility's Area of Service.
Online Community: The online community will provide resources, activities and educational modules, as well as the mechanism for the students and parents to interact, ask questions and share knowledge, thus building a community of practice. The activities will provide grade-appropriate NASA content to add relevancy to courses being taught in school. INSPIRE students will also have the opportunity to participate in video teleconferences with the 10 NASA facilities during the year. These video teleconferences will provide direct connection to NASA and feature additional NASA-unique content, as well as speakers and role models. INSPIRE students will be required to mentor students in lower grades ("near-peer" mentoring). Participation in community service and educational activities offered by other organizations will be encouraged to further enhance the student's knowledge and experience.
INSPIRE participants will have an opportunity to apply and compete for STEM/NASA Experiences at each of three tiers. NASA will evaluate applicants and select awards based on the student's academic achievement and participation in INSPIRE activities and "near-peer" mentoring of younger students.
Tier 1 Experience (NASA Explorers): Rising 10th-grade students and their legal guardian compete to be awarded a summer visit to the NASA facility that services their state for a one-day VIP Tour and Workshop. If participants live outside the 50-mile radius of the NASA facility, NASA will pay and arrange:
- Lodging at an appropriate facility close to the NASA facility.
- A meal allowance for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Transportation from the place of residence to the lodging facility, to and from the NASA facility, and return to the place of residence.
- It is anticipated this experience would span three days: a day to travel to the NASA facility, a complete day for the NASA facility VIP Tour and Workshop, and a day to return to the participants' place of residence. However, the travel duration can be shortened to meet the participant's needs.
Note: The Tier 1 Experience is not available in 2008.
Tier 2A (Collegiate Experience): Rising 11th-grade students compete to participate in a summer two-week, on-campus residential experience at a selected college or university. The experience exposes them to college life, encourages them to pursue careers in engineering, enhances study skills, and provides contact with engineers, professors and STEM students. These contacts serve as positive role models and mentors to build and enhance positive self-esteem. Once the student arrives on campus, the college or university will provide 24-hour supervision of students during this experience. NASA will provide $500 for transportation expenses to students residing over 100 miles from the academic institution. The academic institution will provide lodging, meals, residential staff and activities for this experience. Starting and ending dates are to be determined.
NOTE: Due to limited funding, the Tier 2A "Collegiate Experience" will not be available in 2008. We apologize for the late notice. Those who have already applied for this year's Collegiate Experience will be contacted during the summer to determine interest in being considered for the On-Line Community starting in the Fall.
Tier 2B (Residential Internship): Rising 12th-grade students who will be at least 16 years of age at the start of the internship compete for participation in an eight-week, paid summer internship at the NASA facility that services their state. Students gain valuable on-the-job experience by working directly with NASA scientists and engineers, as well as participating in enriching after-work educational and cultural activities. During the internship, students will receive:
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A small stipend based on minimum wage for the state in which the NASA facility is located. Stipends will be paid in three installments: at the beginning, midway, and end of the experience. All requirements must have been met.
- Lodging: Students will be housed together at a location within commuting distance from the NASA facility.
- Meals: During weekends, three nutritious meals will be served. During work days, students will receive breakfast and dinner and an allowance for lunch.
- Transportation: Transportation to and from work and any after-work project activities will be provided.
- On-site supervision and structured enrichment activities.
All students and their parent or legal guardian are required to sign an agreement committing to the entire eight-week experience. They must also sign permission and release forms. Students should not apply for consideration if they have other plans for the summer that would conflict with the internship.
Students within a 50-mile radius of the NASA facility may opt out of the residential component (lodging, meals and transportation) by having their legal guardian sign a waiver. However, students opting out of the residential component shall be required to participate in all after-work and weekend educational and cultural experiences. Students who opt out will not be provided meals (except for the lunch allowance), unless a meal is part of a required event. Students opting out will also be responsible for their transportation to and from work. Transportation to required after-work activities may be provided if the students make prior arrangements with the staff.
During non-work hours students will interact with highly motivated, qualified and experienced professional educators in STEM-related fields of study. These individuals are selected because of their interest in encouraging and supporting high school students' pursuit of STEM education and careers.
All residential staff members supervising students outside of work hours are required to successfully complete a background investigation. Students will be supervised from their arrival to start the internship to departure back to their residence, excluding internship work hours. While at work, students will be supervised by scientists and engineers at the NASA facility. Students opting out of the residential component shall be supervised during participation in all after-work and weekend educational and cultural experiences.
Tier 3 (Collegiate Internship): Rising college freshmen who will be at least 16 years of age at the start of the internship compete for participation in an eight-week, paid summer internship at one of the 10 NASA facilities. Applicants for this experience must have been accepted at a college or university and have declared a STEM major. This experience provides valuable on-the-job training and introduces the students to other education and employment opportunities. Lodging, meals, transportation and after-work activities are the responsibility of the participant. NASA will pay the student a stipend of $5,000 in three installments: at the beginning, midway, and end of the experience. All requirements must have been met.
All students and their parent or legal guardian are required to sign an agreement committing to the entire duration of each experience. They must also sign permission and release forms. Students should not apply for consideration if they have other plans for the summer that would conflict with the experience.
All students and their parent or legal guardian are required to sign an agreement committing to the entire duration of each experience. They must also sign permission and release forms. Students should not apply for consideration if they have other plans for the summer that would conflict with the experience.
The following indicated each center's start and end dates which best meets its unique needs:
Ames Research Center
Starts June 23, 2008
Ends August 15, 2008
Dryden Research Center Tier 2B
Starts June 23, 2008
Ends August 15, 2008
Dryden Research Center Tier 3
Starts June 9, 2008
Ends August 1, 2008
Glenn Research Center Tier 2B
Starts June 16, 2008
Ends August 8, 2008
Glenn Research Center Tier 3
Starts June 9, 2008
EndsAugust 1, 2008
Goddard Space Flight Center
Starts June 23, 2008
Ends August 15, 2008
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Starts June 23, 2008
Ends August 15, 2008
Johnson Space Center
Starts June 16, 2008
Ends August 8, 2008
Kennedy Space Center
Starts June 2, 2008
Ends July 25, 2008
Langley Space Center
Starts June 23, 2008
Ends August 15, 2008
Marshall Space Flight Center
Starts June 2, 2008
Ends July 25, 2008
Stennis Space Center
Starts June 2, 2008
Ends July 25, 2008
ELIGIBILITY: To apply for entry into INSPIRE, students must be U.S. citizens. they must be in the appropriate grade at the start of the project (from grade 9 through the freshman year of college), and have at least an overall 2.5 grade point average, or GPA, on a 4.0 scale (unweighted).
Once selected to participate in INSPIRE, students would then be allowed to compete for the NASA/STEM Experiences listed below. To be considered, students must have achieved a minimum of an overall 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (unweighted). NASA will evaluate applicants and make selections based on the student's academic achievement and participation in INSPIRE activities.
APPLICATION: As NASA initiates this new project, components will be phased in. The requirement to first be accepted to the INSPIRE project before competing for the NASA/STEM Experiences will be waived for 2008. NASA will only be providing the Tiers 2B and 3 NASA/STEM Experiences in 2008. These NASA/STEM Experiences still require a minimum of a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (unweighted). The number of participants selected will be dependent on funding and may vary for each NASA facility.
Applications for Tiers 2B and 3 NASA/STEM Experiences are open through March 15, 2008. Interested students must submit a complete application package consisting of the application, personal essay, parent certification and permission form, two recommendations, and a current official transcript. Applications are being reviewed and you will be notified once selections have been made. Please do not contact the centers directly.
Before submitting an application package, the student and parent or legal guardian should read and understand the project’s description and participation requirements thoroughly. Potential applicants should give attention to eligibility requirements, dates and deadlines. Applicants are encouraged to keep a copy of the completed application package, as the staff is unable to return any application materials submitted for the program.
Click here to download application (PDF)
Please make sure the submitted application is complete and is postmarked no later than March 15, 2008. Applications that are faxed or e-mailed will not be accepted. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
Mail application packages to:
Mr. Steve Chance
INSPIRE Project Manager
Mail Code: XA-D
NASA/John F. Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899
To expedite processing of your application and allow you to check the status, we encourage you to submit your information online in addition to mailing the complete package. Note: Students are not required to submit their application information online. To provide your application information online, please visit:
https://secureworkgroups.grc.nasa.gov/INSPIRE
To access this website, you will need to provide your e-mail account and the following application community password:
INSPIRE Application Community Password: INSPIRE (All capital letters)
You will be asked for information to set up your account and establish your unique user name and password before joining the INSPIRE community. Only items marked with an asterisk are required for account set-up. The account user name and password you establish will allow you to check the status of your application in the future.
If you have any questions or need this application in a language other than English, please contact the appropriate INSPIRE representative at the NASA facility for your service area as defined below.
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions
NASA FACILITY SERVICE AREA:
NASA Facility:
Ames Research Center
Location: Moffett Field, Calif.
Area of Service: Alaska, Northern California (southernmost counties of Inyo,
Kings, Monterey, Tulare), Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah,
Washington, Wyoming
INSPIRE Contact:
Tom Clausen
Ames Research Center
Mail Code 226-8
Moffett Field, CA 94035
Phone: (650) 604-5544
E-mail: Thomas.B.Clausen@nasa.gov
NASA Facility:
Dryden Research Center
Location: Edwards AFB, Calif.
Area of Service: Arizona, Southern California (northernmost counties of Kern, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo)
INSPIRE Contact:
Michelle Davis
Dryden Flight Research Center
P.O. Box 273
Edwards, CA 93523
Phone: (661) 276-2445
E-mail: Michelle.R.Davis@nasa.gov
NASA Facility:
Glenn Research Center
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Area of Service: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin
INSPIRE Contact:
Stephanie D Brown-Houston
Glenn Research Center
MS 500 - 107
21000 Brookpark Road
Cleveland, OH 44135
Phone: (216) 433-8006
Email: SDBrown-Houston@nasa.gov
NASA Facility:
Goddard Space Flight Center
Location: Greenbelt, Md.
Area of Service: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island, Vermont
INSPIRE Contact:
Bonnie McClain
Goddard Space Flight Center
Mail Code 130.3
8800 Greenbelt Road
Greenbelt, MD 20771
Phone: (301) 286-7356
E-mail: Bonnie.McClain-1@nasa.gov
NASA Facility:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Location: Pasadena, Calif.
Area of Service: TBD
INSPIRE Contact:
David Seidel
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Mail Code 180-109
4800 Oak Grove Drive
Pasadena, CA 91109
Phone: (818) 354-9313
E-mail: David.M.Seidel@jpl.nasa.gov
NASA Facility:
Johnson Space Center
Location: Houston, Texas
Area of Service: Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma,
South Dakota, Texas
INSPIRE Contact:
Janelle Holt
Johnson Space Center
Mailcode: AH2
2101 NASA Parkway
Houston, TX 77058
Phone: (281) 244-1613
E-mail: Janelle.Holt-1@nasa.gov
NASA Facility:
Kennedy Space Center
Location: Merritt Island, Fla.
Area of Service: Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands
INSPIRE Contact:
Lisa Valencia
Kennedy Space Center
Mail Code XA-D2
Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899
Phone: (321) 867-4008
E-mail: Lisa.M.Valencia@nasa.gov
NASA Facility:
Langley Research Center
Location: Hampton, Va.
Area of Service: Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia
INSPIRE Contact:
Dollie McCown
Langley Research Center
Mail Code 400
Hampton, VA 23681
Phone: (757) 864-3561
E-mail: Dollie.M.Mccown@nasa.gov
NASA Facility:
Marshall Space Flight Center
Location: Huntsville, Ala.
Area of Service: Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, Tennessee
INSPIRE Contact:
Vanessa Suggs
Marshall Space Flight Center
Mail Code HS30
Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812
Phone: (256) 961-1369
E-mail: Vanessa.P.Suggs@nasa.gov
NASA Facility:
Stennis Space Center
Location: near Biloxi, Miss.
Area of Service: Mississippi
INSPIRE Contact:
Joy Smith
Stennis Space Center
Mail Code IA20
Building 1100
Stennis Space Center, MS 39529
Phone: (228) 688-2118
E-mail: Joy.L.Smith@nasa.gov
Who to Contact at NASA
Mr. Steve Chance
INSPIRE Project Manager
Mail Code: XA-D
John F. Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899
Phone: (321) 867-4194
E-mail:
steven.h.chance@nasa.gov
Additional Contact Information
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