Second Five Year Evaluation
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Second Self Evaluation 1994-1998 Submitted: January 1999 TE AS SPACE GRANT CONSORTIUM Second Five Year Evaluation Covering the Period Between January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1998 Submitted to: NASA/HQ January 1999 TE AS SPACE GRANT CONSORTIUM Strongly embracing the objectives of the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, the undersigned have entered into agreement for participation in an exemplary alliance of Universities, Industries Non-Profit Organizations and State Government agencies in a coordinated effort to help maintain America’s preeminence in aerospace science and technology. On behalf of our institutions, we hereby pledge to support the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the conduct of the National Space Grant and Fellowship Program. We are proud to have participated in the development and completion of this self-evaluation of Texas Space Grant Consortium’s participation in the National Program. TSGC Board of Directors Byron D. Tapley University of Texas at Austin Tom Moser Texas Aerospace Commision Director Aaron Cohen Texas A&M University Linda N. Domelsmith Texas Higher Education Chairman of the Board Coordinating Board David R. Criswell University of Houston Reynaldo Elizondo University of Texas at Associate Director San Antonio Wallace T. Fowler University of Texas at Austin Ray French Lockheed Martin Associate Director John L. Junkins Texas A&M University F. Curtis Michel Rice University Associate Director Jim Buchli Boeing James Smith Texas Tech University Note: Original signatures are available upon request at TSGC Headquarters. 3 TSGC Institutional Representatives Baylor University Texas A&M University Boeing Texas A&M University Kingsville Lamar University Texas Aerospace Commission Lockheed Martin Texas Christian University Prarie View A&M University Texas General Land Office Raytheon Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Rice University Texas Southern University Southwest Research Institute Texas Tech University Sul Ross State University University of Houston Note: Original signatures are available upon request at TSGC Headquarters. 4 TSGC Institutional Representatives University of Houston Clear Lake University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston University of Houston Downtown University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio University of Texas at Arlington University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston University of Texas at Austin University of Texas Pan America University of Texas at Dallas University of Southwestern Medical Center University of Texas at El Paso Universities Space Research Association University of Texas at San Antonio Note: Original signatures are available upon request at TSGC Headquarters. 5 1998 Self-Evaluation Executive Summary National Objectives # Cntrb. Sec. Establish and maintain a 288 6.6, 4.1, The Texas Space Grant Consortium (TSGC) national network of universities 4.2, 6.1 was organized in 1989 as a team of academic, Encourage cooperative programs 152 6.6, 6.4, industry, state government, and non-profit among universities, aerospace 7.3 institutions from all regions of the state in industry, and government support of the National Space Grant College & Encourage aerospace related 149 4.1, 4.2, interdisciplinary training, 6.4, 6.1 Fellowship Program (NSGC&FP). In the last research and public service five years TSGC has conducted fifty-eight programs distinct programs specifically addressing the Recruit and train U.S. citizens, 218 4.5, 4.2, NSGC&FP objectives and priorities. In especially underrepresented 6.4, 4.3 addition to the NSGC&FP funding for these minorities, women, and programs, TSGC members provided additional persons with disabilities direct and in-kind support, over $8.4M since Promote a strong science, 96 6.6, 5.1, 1994. These programs, most of which mathematics, and technology 4.4, 5.2 involve multiple institutions and disciplines, education base from K-12 have involved every TSGC member institution, six NASA centers, and various 2. Texas Space Grant other local and national organizations. TSGC emphasizes the following objectives: 1. National Space Grant College & Fellowship Program Objectives ¥ Foster development and sharing of space related educational resources and experiences TSGC strongly embraces the NSGC&FP among consortium members in Texas and Objectives. Over the last five years TSGC has nationwide conducted fifty-eight programs which make up ¥ Foster high quality graduate level space 395 contributions to the NSGC&FP National research at consortium academic institutions Objectives and National Strategic Plan (1996- ¥ Foster the development of multi- 2000) Priorities. Each major section of this institutional space research efforts including report contains a table that provides measures industry, university, and NASA teaming of TSGCÕs contributions (Cntrb.) to the goals ¥ Increase the pool of high school graduates of the NSGC&FP. The third column of these who enter college to study science, tables references the sections of this self- mathematics, and engineering with emphasis evaluation where examples of the respective on underrepresented minorities and women contributions can be found. Each unique and ¥ Foster space-related programs and curricula distinctive activity of TSGC is counted as a for public schools and for the public contribution. For example, the NASA ¥ Use interest in space to increase Reduced Gravity Student Flight Opportunities participation in science and mathematics in Program counts as seventeen contributions. the public schools Each Texas team that flew aboard the KC- 135A is a unique and distinctive contribution: 3. Organization four teams flew each year from 1995 to 1997 and five teams flew in 1998. TSGC has 36 member organizations from all regions of the state. Members are divided into the following categories: Texas Space Grant Colleges (3), Academic Affiliates (22-eight of which are federally designated minority 6 serving institutions), Industrial Members (5), modifies existing programs, and establishes Non-Profit Members (2), and Government new programs. Members (4). TSGC is unique in that all members can submit TSGC has established a Board of Directors that proposals for funding of projects under the is responsible for overall policy and guidance three program areas. Committees that include as well as performing an overview function for the Director, the Associate Directors and program activities. Board members are additional members selected for their related selected to provide a balanced representation expertise, review the proposals. of the interests of the members. The Board of Directors consists of: the Chair of the Board, In addition to the NSGC&FP funding, TSGC the Director, three Associate Directors, three members provide additional direct and in-kind representatives from the Academic Affiliates support. Since 1994 the TSGC membership (one from a minority institution), three has provided $800 K of direct support through representatives from the commercial/non- annual assessments and special projects. The profit organizations, a representative from the membership also has provided $7.6 M of in- Texas Aerospace Commission, and a kind support. representative from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. 4. Higher Education Programs All TSGC activities are organized and The goals of the TSGC Higher Education monitored by the Higher Education, General programs are to foster development and Public/Outreach, and Research committees. sharing of space related educational resources These committees support the Program Office and experiences among consortium members in the evaluation of proposals and make in Texas and nationwide and to foster high recommendations of how funds can be quality graduate level space research at obtained and distributed. The directorÕs staff consortium academic institutions. implements the TSGC programs. Since 1994 TSGC has conducted 326 Higher TSGC Organizational Chart Education activities involving over three thousand undergraduate and graduate students. Board of Directors National Education Priorities # Cntrb. Sec. Provide fellowships and 196 4.2, scholarships emphasizing student 4.3, research and mentoring 4.4 Director components. Office Staff Member Stress development of 95 4.1, Institutions interdisciplinary courses and 4.2, curriculum. 4.5 Associate and Enhance pre-service teacher 19 4.4, Directors Representatives education emphasizing 4.7 coordination with existing efforts. Develop community college 6 4.6 initiatives. Higher General Public/ Research Focus on involving 162 4.2, Education Outreach Committee underrepresented groups including 4.3, Committee Committee women and people with 4.5 disabilities. Develop courses that use emerging 123 4.1, TSGC holds semi-annual meetings of the NASA-developed technology. 4.2, Board of Directors and of the member 4.3 institutions. At these meetings the consortium reviews program performance, For most of these students this was the first exposure that they had to space related 7 concepts in the classroom. Many have gone undergraduate students, a supervising faculty on to receive graduate degrees in space related member, and one professional journalist. At fields. A total of $5.9M of direct and in-kind least two students from each team will be able support was devoted to these activities. to fly on the KC-135 aircraft. Greater than 93% of these funds were provided by outside sources with less than 7% provided This program began in 1995 as the Texas by TSGC. Space Grant Consortium Students Understanding