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NASA and Museums: A $42 million relationship

 

The Science Museum in Minnesota has signed a millionaire contract with NASA in order to lead the new Space and Earth Informal STEM Education project (SEISE). $14.5 million were given to this entity as a grant.

With NASA as the main supporter, especially as the knowledge and research source, the Museum will create new exhibits, activities, learning materials and media in order to inspire next generations to get involved with Space and Earth education.

The Science Museum in Minnesota has signed a millionaire contract with NASA in order to lead the new Space and Earth Informal STEM Education project. Photo credit: Science Museum / CBS Minnesota

The SEISE Project

NASA with the Science Mission Directorate created a network called the National Informal STEM Education (STEM for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). In this NISE Network infrastructure, the main goal is to raise the capacity of museums to engage the public in several subjects related to Planetary Science. Initially involved delivery of educational kits and material to exhibitions, as well as opportunities for educators through workshops.

But now, NASA also includes the possibility to donate directly to the museums in order to make them create their own education project.  27 projects from across the United States are selected by the NASA to sign agreements. There are $42 million in total in order to enhance SEISE all over the country. The goals include enabling STEM education, improving U.S. national education system and promoting science through partnerships.

Why Minnesota?

Alison Rempel Brown, the president of the Science Museum, claimed that NASA’s programs are critical not only to space exploration but also to the U.S. education and scientific learning. He also stated that the Science Museum is “a proven leader at making science concept inspirational and easy-to-understand” so that makes the Science Museum of Minnesota the perfect match for NASA’s NISE Network.

The governor of the State pointed out that this alliance will be great news for the State and for the “millions of curious minds in Minnesota and in the entire country”.

There was a previous alliance between NASA and the Science Museum: Since 2009 NASA has provided funding to climate change education programs and projects. Actually, Minnesota’s Science Museum is one of the major producers of original science exhibits. Most shows have been seen by millions of visitors, even abroad.

The space exhibition made in 2015 was co-hosted by the Science Museum and the NASA, and it toured in different science centers across the country. With this new grant, the Minnesota Science Museum will join other major museums and universities that are working with NASA in creating new education projects.

Source: NISE Network

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