STEM Education Fellowship Awards of $2,500 will be awarded through a competitive process. Awards are open to new and continuing students to support STEM education projects fostering the vision of NASA by encouraging career goals in STEM disciplines, strengthening the nation’s STEM workforce and engaging Americans in NASA’s mission. The Period of Performance for this award is one academic semester, either Fall or Spring. Students receiving awards in past competitions may apply and receive awards for subsequent competitions. Women, under-represented minorities and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applicants are asked to design an integrated STEM resource unit plan or a group of thematically aligned lesson plans consists of five lessons that introduces students (in any targeted elementary or secondary grade level) to science, technology, engineering or math phenomena. The resource unit plan or set of lesson plans must leverage the impact of NASA's advances, discoveries, and/or challenges as a source of inspiration and inquiry for students. It is also recommended that the resource unit plan integrate real-world examples found in Alaska. The resource unit plan or set of lesson plans will include key science/math concepts, generalizations, and inquiry-based science/math activities appropriate for the grade level addressed. Effective learning occurs from hands-on/minds-on experiences and the unit is designed to reinforce a concept. For instance, you can address the interrelatedness of science concepts from life, earth, space, and the physical sciences. For NASA education resources see https://www.nasa.gov/education/resources
You may use any lesson plan format you would like, but each lesson must have: An overview, learning objective/s, clear instructional processes, short description of classroom discourse and learning environment, type of NASA materials/resources to be used, assessment of student responses, reference the relevant State of Alaska standards, materials or technology needs, and time requirements.
Each of the five lessons must have learning objectives. What is the purpose of your lesson? State specifically what you intend to have your students achieve, present, or demonstrate. Instructional goals and objectives should reflect state standards and be clearly stated.
NASA has a large inventory of education resources available to teachers including webinars and instructional badges. A badge is a micro-credential or certification in a specific topic area. They are intended to help educators develop key science and math content knowledge. There are several Alaska relevant topic areas available including remote sensing, water science, earthquakes, rocketry, and energy and power in remote areas. Instructional badge information can be found at txstate-epdc.net.
After successful completion of your unit, please make any recommended revisions to your lesson plans and please provide them to ASGP so that we may share your unit or set of lesson plans with current and future educators.
Students are required to identify a faculty mentor within their department of education with whom they intend to work and who is available to write a letter of collaboration. The role of the faculty member is to assist the student throughout the duration of the proposal process and the award period. The mentor must provide a letter of collaboration agreeing to serve in the capacity of mentor for the duration of the award. Please provide any potential mentors the Letter to Potential Mentors available on the Alaska Space Grant website. The letter of collaboration from a faculty mentor must address the items discussed in this letter. In the letter of collaboration, the mentor must outline his/her expectations of and responsibilities to the student.
The application is limited to three pages in length, not including the cover page, transcript, resume, or mentor letter. The application should be one PDF document that has includes the following items in the order prescribed:
- Cover page: Provided here.
- Project Synopsis: Please describe the overall theme and purpose of your Integrated Resource Unit or thematically aligned lesson plans. Indicate what goals you have for your time in the classroom. Please include a short description of the type of classroom and students you will be teaching.
- Describe the classroom practicum environment (i.e. elementary, middle, high) what classroom, underrepresented (Title 1), urban/rural, etc.
- Outline of the proposed Integrated Resource Unit and lesson plans with links to NASA resources highlighted. Provide a short description of each lesson plan.
- Academic Transcript: An unofficial transcript saved from the student account of the college or university website is acceptable. Student must be in good academic standing to qualify for an award.
- Resume of applicant.
- Letter of Recommendation by a Faculty Member: This letter should be from a faculty member that has been available to assist you with your Integrated Resource Unit or set of thematic lesson plans, and will provide you with mentorship during your practicum.
After completing the application form below, email a single PDF to ASGP at uaf-spacegrant@alaska.edu, using the email subject line: STEM Education Fellowship Application.
Complete all sections of the Application Form
* Required
