There is a direct correlation between our nations economic competitiveness and stem educations ability to support the next generation of scientist and innovators. Science and engineering courses are…

This is a $477,267.04 cooperative agreement awarded by the NASA Shared Services Center to Lawson State Community College, a U.S. local government, state government, historically black college or university, and educational institution based in Alabama. The award is for the "Inspiring Tomorrow's Leaders in Science and Engineering" (ITL) program, which aims to expand pathways for underrepresented minority students to pursue STEM degrees and careers. The program will provide STEM curriculum, research opportunities, online courses, internships, and other support to 1st and 2nd year students at Lawson State Community College, as well as high school students involved in NASA-related outreach programs. The award does not utilize a set-aside and has a period of performance through February 2020. Key partners include the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Marshall Space Flight Center, Glenn Research Center, and Ames Research Center.

There is a direct correlation between our nations economic competitiveness and stem educations ability to support the next generation of scientist and innovators. Science and engineering courses are often seen by students as abstract concepts that have little practical value. Thus, many students loose interest in these fields. This program referred to as ITL is a partnership between institutions to engage underrepresented minority students to pursue degrees and ultimately careers in stem by early engagement in space related research opportunities. The ITL involves early exposure to stem programs for high school students, NASA relevant coursework for 1ST and 2ND year college students, space related research projects, and summer internship experiences that will increase the readiness of students to complete four year stem degrees. Content in the ITL focuses on research important to NASA, namely the underlying physical phenomena in unit gravity VS. Microgravity for different scientific engineering processes. Specific topics combined with didactic laboratory classes will provide a comprehensive understanding of the underlying theories and experimental techniques utilized in microgravity research. The ITL will challenge students to apply their learned knowledge in the design of novel hardware followed by an evaluation using unique NASA facility for simulated microgravity conditions. High performing students can participate in the science & engineering (s & e) scholars component of ITL during their sophomore year. ITL will leverage existing and new summer internship opportunities and career programs for students. Objectives: the overall goal is to expand pathways for underrepresented groups entering stem fields. 1) enhance stem curriculum (theory and laboratory techniques) providing physics and biochemistry backgrounds to understand concepts confronting NASA scientists 2) enable students to apply coursework in unique research opportunities 3) expand teacher and student literacy with on line curriculum 4) increase minorities pursuing stem degrees and careers 5) leverage partnerships with NASA research centers, 4 year institutions and NFP organizations for mentoring and summer internships and career bridging programs 6) establish framework for sustainability. Target audience: 1ST and 2ND year minority lscc students, high school applicants involved in cord space science institute (SSI) and yldp participants. Target additional teachers at secondary and college level through on line courses. Partners: 1) lawson state community college (lscc) 2) university of alabama at birmingham (UAB) center for biophysical sciences and engineering 3)UAB center for community outreach development program (cord) 4) marshall space flight center (msfc) 5) glenn research center (GRC) 6) ames research center (ARC) and 7) youth leadership development program (yldp). Method of approach: the classroom and laboratory segments will center on inquiry based, active learning, i.e., hands on experimentation, use of design programs, fabrication, and prototype evaluations. Classroom interactive experiences will focus on concepts underlying the next generation science standards, i.e., teaching concepts over facts & cross disciplinary learning. Relevance: ITL will addresses aspects associated with nasas human health theme including improved human health care and new technology innovations. Students will seek improvements to existing NASA programs involving microgravity with protein crystallization. Engineering components apply to other areas of interest to NASA, i.e, surface tension convection and molecular transport. Outcomes: 1) increase the number of students (lscc, SSI or yldp) participating in one or more aspects of the overall program 2) establish a pipeline of students and development of on line courses to expand to more msis 3) increase support and funding from partners & local community 4)establish sustainability.