NASA's Diverse Collaborations Spread the STEM Education Message

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA's Office of Education is collaborating with a variety of organizations this week to engage students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and increase academic excellence.

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Leland Melvin, the agency's associate administrator for education, is the keynote speaker today at the inaugural STEM Summit in St. Louis. The summit is sponsored in part by LEGO Education. NASA and the maker of the iconic building bricks have partnered on a number of events in recent years to encourage hands-on creativity as an avenue for learning STEM principles.

On November 17, Melvin will give opening remarks and serve as a presenter at the first annual S.E.T. (Science, Engineering and Technology) Awards in Los Angeles. Established by the Entertainment Industries Council, the awards honor excellence in the depiction of science, engineering and technology in television, film and multimedia.

"Encouraging students to pursue STEM disciplines is so very important. It offers students exciting job opportunities," Melvin said. "For NASA and the nation, building the STEM pipeline will ensure that we have a robust, high-tech workforce for the future."  

Melvin will end the week in Washington by participating in the United States Agency for International Development's "All Children Reading:  A Grand Challenge for Development" program on Nov. 18. He will join representatives from other government agencies and host Alex Trebek to challenge innovators from around the world to develop solutions to overcome barriers to literacy and learning.

"There are so many diverse organizations out there committed to encouraging students to pursue STEM studies, reading and other avenues of education," Melvin said. "I am excited to collaborate with them and leverage our individual strengths to spread the message that learning is not only fun, it is the key to a bright future. I want today's youth to know they can reach for the stars."

NASA uses the excitement from its missions and programs to inspire students and serve as a catalyst for encouraging STEM studies. The agency continues its tradition of investing in the nation's education programs and supporting the country's educators who play a key role in preparing and inspiring the young minds of today to become the workforce of tomorrow.

To learn more about NASA's education programs, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/education

SOURCE NASA