FY 2019 Year 5 Extension Annual Performance Document Template WV_FY19_Year 5Ext_APD West Virginia Space Grant Consortium Lead Institution: West Virginia University Director: Majid Jaridi, Ph.D. Telephone Number: (304) 293-4099 Consortium URL: wvspacegrant.org Grant Number: NNX15AI01H A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program consists of 52 state-based, university-led Space Grant Consortia in each of the 50 states plus the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Annually, each consortium receives funds to develop and implement student fellowships and scholarships programs; interdisciplinary space- related research infrastructure, education, and public service programs; and cooperative initiatives with industry, research laboratories, and state, local, and other governments. Space Grant operates at the intersection of NASA’s interest as implemented by alignment with the Mission Directorates and the state’s interests. Although it is primarily a higher education program, Space Grant programs encompass the entire length of the education pipeline, including elementary/secondary and informal education. The West Virginia Space Grant Consortium is a Designated Consortium funded at a level of $760,000 for fiscal year 2019. A. PROGRAM GOALS The NASA West Virginia Space Grant Consortium’s (WVSGC) mission is to enhance educational programs and research in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) in the state of West Virginia (WV). Our overarching objective is to extend the benefits of NASA’s research and education to all citizens of West Virginia. An essential goal of WVSGC is to capture, channel, and enrich the activities of the current and potential scientists through the Consortium’s network of affiliates, with emphasis on increasing the participation of under-represented groups in its programs. The Mission statement and Bylaws are reviewed and reapproved annually at the Fall meeting of the WVSGC Board of Directors. Program area goals are: NASA Internships, Fellowships, and Scholarships (NIFS) Goal: To contribute to, and advance NASA’s vision and strategies as outlined in various NASA documents, specifically regarding high-technology workforce development. Our NIFS SMART objectives are: 1. To maintain the minimum number of Space Grant fellowships/scholarships at 120 in the next year. 2. To place at least two (2) summer interns at NASA field centers and seven (7) at high-tech companies in West Virginia. Higher Education Programs (HE) Goal: To enhance higher education capabilities in STEM in West Virginia by using our unique position to initiate and support innovative programs that enable WV students to engage in hands- on experiences that will better prepare them for careers at NASA, its contractors, and other high- technology companies in the US. Our HE SMART objectives are: 1. To support the development of at least three (3) new STEM courses per year at undergraduate and graduate levels at WVSGC academic affiliates; 2. To provide partial support to special projects of student organizations such as AIAA, SWE, NSBE, Astronomy Club, and Student Partnership for the Advancement of Cosmic Exploration (S.P.A.C.E); 3. To initiate and support programs such as Mars Rover Robotics projects and Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts Academic Linkage (RASC-AL); and 4. To ensure sustainability by securing at least 1:1 cost share from participating affiliates for the above higher education programs. 5. To collaborate with WV Community and Technical College system to provide opportunities for their students and faculty. Research Infrastructure (RI) Goal: To contribute to NASA and the state of WV’s efforts at research infrastructure development, particularly in the high-technology sector. Our RI SMART objectives are: 1. To support faculty members at our academic affiliates through seed grants and assistance in building research capacity and initiate collaborative efforts with NASA scientists. We will make at least 20 seed grant awards during the grant year; 2. To help and support faculty members at our academic affiliates to initiate collaborative research with the high-technology sector in the state. We will support at least one such project per year. Precollege (K-12 Professional & Curriculum Development Program) Goal: To support the development of innovative STEM-related courses/activities and participation in professional development opportunities at the pre-college level. Our Precollege SMART objectives are: 1. To support programs that enhance the use of NASA-developed training programs at the secondary education level for teachers in WV. We will fund at least two (2) such projects that would support STEM teachers to attend professional development opportunities (at least ten (10) teachers next year); and 2. To support in-service and pre-service teachers to implement programs that would stimulate the interest of pre-college students in STEM areas. We aim to sponsor at least two teachers (or teams of teachers) to implement such programs to benefit a minimum of 50 students per year. Informal Education (Extension and Public Outreach, EPO) Goal: To support the development of new and innovative extension and outreach programs such as conferences that promote the understanding, education, development, and utilization of space; seminars or training sessions that encourage interdisciplinary training and research in aerospace- related fields; or informal education activities for the general public and students in WV. To be proactive in conducting collaborative public extension program with our partners and various entities in the state. Our IE SMART objectives are: 1. To support and fund at least four (4) projects in public extension and outreach; and 2. To reach at least 1,000 members of the public in West Virginia to enhance their understanding of the importance of STEM education, as well as the positive role NASA plays in high-technology workforce development. B. PROGRAM/PROJECT BENEFITS TO PROGRAM AREAS In the following section, a highlight from a student that participated in the NASA Internships, Fellowships, and Scholarship program. • I was a first-generation college student. I was lost, broke, and greatly in need of opportunities to prove my determination and dedication – a little bit of extra money didn’t hurt either. My journey began with an internship opportunity provided through the WVU Space Grant Consortium and TMC Technologies of West Virginia. I was in desperate need of a way to distinguish myself and open the doors to my future. Through the help of the WVU SGC, I was able to find myself immersed in the daily development efforts of a highly involved company within the governmental industry. Following my summer internship where I developed tools that I still use in my career today, I found myself with the opportunity to accept full time employment within the ranks of TMC Technologies. I happily accepted a position within the NASA IV&V facilities of Fairmont, West Virginia. Now I find myself working on projects that will mold the future of space. The replacement for the Hubble, the James Webb Space Telescope. The Parker Solar Probe, which is a spacecraft that has gotten closer to the Sun than any other before. I’ve gotten to work deeply with Europa Clipper – a reconnaissance mission of Jupiter’s moon Europa and its investigation to see if the icy moon could harbor conditions that could sustain life. Most recently, I’ve found myself aiding in modelling efforts for the Psyche mission which will endeavor to journey to a metal asteroid that orbits between the Sun and Mars. Honestly, it sometimes still feels like a dream. The things I work on, and the people that I work with are so amazing that I occasionally find myself having imposter syndrome. I never imagined a career as fruitful as one within NASA. I get to learn something new and grow academically almost every day. I attribute a large part of my opportunities to the influence and connections achieved through interaction with all the wonderful people involved within West Virginia Space Grant Consortium. With their guidance and aid, I now have the means to achieve things that not only make my parents proud of me, but that make me proud of myself as well – which is no easy task for perfection driven OCD engineers. I will always be thankful for the efforts of my Alma Mater’s SGC facility. Their drive to see me succeed, coupled with hard work and commitment, helped me to jumpstart my career within the industry. It has also allowed me to look for ways to aid new students with opportunities to better their futures and change their lives as well. (Robert J Brown, West Virginia University, Senior Systems Engineer- TMC Technologies, JSTAR ISSO, System Administrator- NASA Katherine Johnson IV&V Facility) C. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS a. NASA Internships, Fellowships, and Scholarships (NIFS): NIFS 1: WVSGC surpassed its goal of 120 as the minimum number of fellowships and scholarships. In 2019, WVSGC made a total of 128 awards to college students; (60 Female, 68 Male, 18 under-represented groups) from twelve (12) academic institutions in WV. NIFS 2: WVSGC is currently reviewing summer 2020 applications for students. WVSGC will award at least two (2) summer internships at NASA field centers and seven (7) at high- tech companies in West Virginia. All participants in our summer internship programs will be included in our longitudinal tracking system. The number of presentations made by students at various research venues will be recorded and reported in OEPM. 100% of significant awardees will be tracked to the next steps after graduation b. Higher Education Projects: HE 1. WVSGC met its goal and awarded three (3) college course development grants to three faculty members (two females, one male, one minority). Research PIs have reported direct interaction with 11 Undergraduate students (three minorities), funding for one graduate student and indirectly impacting over 60 college students. Two (2) new courses have been initiated, one each at Fairmont State University, Fairmont, WV and Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV.