NASA Oklahoma Space Grant Consortium Meeting

Dr. Andrew Mattioda, NASA Ames Astrochemistry Laboratory and SETI Institute Principle Investigator, and Edna DeVore, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Director of Education and Public Outreach for the SETI Institute, recently attended the statewide meeting of the NASA Oklahoma Space Grant Consortium (OSGC). This is 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. DeVore and Mattioda attended the meeting at the request of Dr. Victoria Snowden, OSGC Statewide director.

Given that NASA has identified undergraduate students headed toward science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers as an important focus for formal education and outreach, the group discussed ways in which NASA Ames and the SETI Institute could partner with the OSGC to help reach out to the diverse, typically underrepresented students at the various Oklahoma Universities to promote STEM careers. Several of OSGC Universities have minority enrollments in excess of 30% with the majority being Native American.

Also present at the meeting was Ms. Jessica Culler, a former intern of the OSGC. Ms. Culler is currently working at NASA Ames assisting with Yuri’s night as well as the Small Satellite group’s internship program.