2008 NASA Global Climate Change Education Grants

Grants to Improve Science Teaching and Learning

The Global Climate Change Education project is designed to improve the quality of global climate change and Earth system science education at the elementary, secondary, and undergraduate levels. Each funded proposal is expected to take advantage of NASA’s contributions in climate science to enhance students’ academic experiences and/or to improve educators’ abilities to engage and stimulate their students.

This article focuses on Funding Category 2:

Strengthen teaching and learning about global climate change within formal education systems

Proposals are encouraged that:

• Offer unique, hands-on opportunities for students, particularly high school and undergraduate students, to use NASA Earth observing data/NASA Earth system models to investigate and analyze global climate change issues
• Use Earth observation data to empower students to become more engaged with global climate change issues by helping them better understand the scope and science behind specific issues
• Initiate academic programs in global climate change as well as those that develop or enhance courses and curricula, particularly at high schools, two-year colleges, community colleges, technical colleges, and minority serving institutions.

Successful proposals will:

• Provide a clear plan for advancing the contributions of NASA’s Earth Science Program
• Demonstrate potential for making sound contributions to furthering global climate change and Earth system science
• Offer innovative proposals for strengthening teaching and learning about global climate change
• Be executed within the framework of a formal education system, targeted towards the elementary, secondary and/or undergraduate levels and may emphasize activities that take place inside or outside the classroom.

Approximately 20 small awards and 4 larger awards will be made. Small awards may be up to $150,000, in total, dispersed over a period of up to 2 years. Larger awards may be up to $500,000, in total, dispersed over a period of up to 3 years.

On-time electronic submission is required for every proposal. Visit NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES) for detailed requirements and to submit proposals. Deadlines are as follows:

• Notice of Intent is due August 29, 2008
• Proposals are due October 24, 2008