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The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) spent time at the 2024 National Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Week Conference in Philadelphia, PA, showcasing its initiatives aimed at engaging underrepresented and underserved students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
The conference — which started Sept. 15, 2024, and ends Sept. 19 — is part of an ongoing White House initiative that brings together the nation’s leading HBCU leaders to celebrate the vital role the institutions will continue to play in advancing workforce development, economic advancement, and higher education.
According to NASA, one of the highlights of its participation at the event is the Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Innovation and Tech Transfer Idea Competition (MITTIC), featuring a hackathon where students will develop innovative solutions that benefit humanity. This year, the focus was on using NASA technologies to tackle common challenges faced by HBCU campuses.
Participants will form teams to address selected issues and present their concepts to a panel of experts, with the best proposal receiving a cash prize sponsored by JP Morgan Chase.
In line with its commitment to fostering engagement and inclusion, NASA also gave scholars the opportunity to interact with various exhibits, providing them with insights into potential career paths within the agency.
The White House Initiative additionally acknowledges HBCU students every year as part of its HBCU Scholar Recognition Program. Throughout the academic school year, HBCU participants in the program have access to monthly classes in professional development as well as a network of public and private partners.
“NASA’s unwavering commitment to provide our nation’s HBCUs with opportunity to participate in the space enterprise is invaluable to our institutions and our nation,” said Dietra Trent, executive director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs. “By fostering innovation and expanding opportunities in STEM, NASA is empowering the next generation of diverse leaders to reach for the stars and beyond.”
As previously reported by AFROTECH™, NASA is prioritizing outreach to students to inspire them to pursue careers in STEM fields. The government agency shares on its website under Learning Resources that it offers programs for high school and college students through its Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM), which provides over 2,000 paid internships annually.
The internships give students access to hands-on training, mentorship, and career opportunities. Upon completion, participants have the chance to present their findings to the department, and if selected, they may secure job placements at NASA.
Additionally, NASA engages with K-12 educators by partnering with schools, after-school programs, museums, and science centers through its Next-Generation STEM programs.
“We are trying to find resources for the teachers to give into the hands of the students, but then we’re also trying to have portals and access for the students to have STEM on their own,” Shahra Lambert, NASA’s senior advisor for equity and engagement, previously told AFROTECH™.
Expanding its educational efforts, NASA also aims to foster innovation across diverse demographics by collaborating with Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs).
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