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.
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.
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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