NASA's Role in Inspiring Teachers and Youth

Written by Jack Hassard

On February 4, 2010

NASA, created by Congress and President Eisenhower on October 1, 1958, has played an important role in the hearts and minds teachers and their students. Although originally created as a national defense strategy, NASA’s space exploration missions have effectively inspired generations of people, not only in the U.S., but around the world.

I wanted to write about the recent announcements from NASA and the White House about the effect of the fiscal 2010 Federal Budget, and the implications for NASA. At a NASA budget press conference, NASA’s administrator & former astronaut, Charles Bolden, outlined the implications for the budget recommendations for NASA. The brief report is very interesting and you can read it here.

In one sense, the budget recommendations chart a new and dynamic course for NASA. Charles Bolden, NASA’s new director, starts off by saying:

I’m here today to tell you that this budget gives us a roadmap to even more historic achievements as it spurs innovation, employs Americans in exciting jobs, and engages people around the world.
Bolden outlined a number of directions that NASA will take in the years ahead that will invest in one of the most important aspects of the space program, and that is in innovation and inspiration. Here are some of the areas that were identified in the report.
1. Commitment to extend the life of the International Space Station beyond 2020.
2. Invest in critical and transformative technologies that will enable a path beyond low Earth orbit through development of new launch and space transportation technologies. Bolden says:
Imagine trips to Mars that take weeks instead of nearly a year; people fanning out across the inner solar system, exploring the Moon, asteroids and Mars nearly simultaneously in a steady stream of “firsts;” and imagine all of this being done collaboratively with nations around the world.
3. Enhance support for the commercial spaceflight industry. NASA hopes that this will alter the way astronauts are shuttled to and from the International Space Station.
4. Investment in new technology programs including new and novel approaches to spaceflight, development of new heavy lift research focusing on new engines, propellants, and materials, and the development of a broad space technology program.
5. Robotic exploration precursor missions that will pave the way for later human exploration of the moon, Mars and nearby asteroids.
6. Continued support of planned missions to study the planets and
stars.
7. Development of new satellites to be used to improve forecasting of climate change, and continuation of NASA’s Earth science program.
8. Ignition of student’s passion and interest in science. Bolden put it this way:
Our Summer of Innovation initiative this year will begin a massive collaboration with thousands of middle school teachers and students to engage in stimulating, hands-on math and science programs that draw on the best and most exciting NASA resources.

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