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Background, Mission, Vision and Goals

Background
The Ohio Space Grant Consortium (OSGC) was established in 1989 (along with the original Ohio 12-member universities) by the United States Congress, and is part of the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program known as “Space Grant” administered through the Office of Education at NASA Headquarters. There are 52 consortia, one in each state, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Space Grant is a unique national network of colleges and universities working to expand opportunities for Americans to understand and participate in NASA’s aeronautics and space projects by supporting and enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through scholarships, fellowships, higher education, research infrastructure, pre-college (K-12), and informal education public outreach efforts. The Space Grant national network includes over 1,000 affiliates from universities, colleges, industry, museums, science centers, and state and local agencies.

The OSGC is currently composed of 24 institutions of higher learning (17 universities [including 2 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)] and 7 community colleges), NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC), the Air Force Research Laboratories (AFRL), and various education outreach partners. The OSGC Program Office is located at the Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI) in Cleveland, Ohio, and is led by Jed E. Marquart, Ph.D., P.E. who serves as the OSGC Director.

OHIO SPACE GRANT CONSORTIUM (OSGC) STRATEGIC PLAN – FY2015-2020

Vision
The Vision of the Ohio Space Grant Consortium (OSGC) is to enhance opportunities for all Ohioans to participate in NASA Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)-related research, education, workforce, and public service programs to build and sustain a diverse, well-prepared technical workforce for NASA and the Nation, and to lead in the promotion and development of aeronautics, space science and engineering, and earth science.

Mission
The Mission of the OSGC is to advance the Nation’s capability in STEM leading to the continued development of a diverse workforce through NASA-related collaborations within Ohio’s network of scientists, researchers, engineers, and educators at Ohio universities, the Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI), NASA Centers, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), and industry that align with the National Space Grant Program goals and objectives. A key component of this activity is to attract and retain students in STEM disciplines with emphasis on increasing participation by women, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities.

OSGC Goals
The OSGC has five goals to accomplish their mission and in support of NASA’s and the National Space Grant Program’s goals and objectives for FY2015-2020. The OSGC Strategic Plan, Vision, Mission, Goals and SMART Objectives were redefined, approved and implemented by the OSGC Executive Committee in February, 2015. The specific goals of the program, followed by the SMART objectives are as follows:

Goal 1 – Develop a diverse STEM workforce in Ohio and the Nation.

• NIFS (NASA Internships, Fellowships, and Scholarships)
  • Competitive scholarship and fellowship program at Ohio universities (includes research project + faculty mentors)
  • Internships [with NASA Centers (focus on Glenn Research Center) and with industry]

1.1 At least 40 percent of annual student awards [i.e., NIFS (NASA Internships, Fellowships, and Scholarships)] will be made to females to meet NASA’s target goal.
1.2 Diversity of annual student awards (i.e., NIFS) will meet or exceed 16.5 percent (OSGC’s goal as outlined in Table 306.60, National Center for Education Statistics.)
1.3 At least 90 percent of supported students will graduate with a STEM degree from an Ohio university each year.
1.4 Annually longitudinally track all students receiving a “Significant” award that identifies the next step. All scholarship, fellowship, and internship awards are classified as “Significant” awards. A minimum of 80 percent of undergraduate students will enter either graduate school in a STEM discipline or enter the STEM workforce. A minimum of 80 percent of Education scholars will enter the K-12 STEM teaching field. A minimum of 80 percent of Fellowship recipients will enter the STEM workforce or academia. A minimum of 95 percent of students receiving internships will indicate that they are likely to enter the STEM workforce or graduate school as a result of the experience (students and mentors complete evaluation form).

Goal 2 – Engage students and faculty in hands-on STEM research activities.

• Student-Innovative-Creative-Hands-on Project (SICHOP) grants
• Faculty Research/Curriculum grants (aligned to NASA research priorities)

2.1 Support a variety of student and faculty hands-on STEM research activities annually [(i.e., SICHOP/Research/Curriculum grants, internships (NASA Centers and industry)].
2.2 Each year, 80 percent of the students receiving a SICHOP grant will report they are more likely to pursue a STEM career or an advanced STEM degree.
2.3 Faculty who receive funding will report increased research capacity and competency in their field as a result of the award.

Goal 3 – Support collaborative STEM research for Ohio faculty and students.

• Student-Innovative-Creative-Hands-on Project (SICHOP) grants
• Faculty Research grants (aligned to NASA research priorities)
• Summer research/internship opportunities (2 HBCUs)

3.1 Support at least one faculty/student research grant annually.
3.2 Faculty who receive funding will report increased research capacity and competency in their field as a result of the award.
3.3 Each year, 80 percent of the students receiving a SICHOP grant will report they are more likely to pursue a STEM career or an advanced STEM degree.
3.4 Support at least one student (from an Ohio HBCU) to perform research during the summer at an Ohio-research university.

Goal 4 – Increase STEM awareness for Ohio K-12 teachers and students.

• Exposure to NASA Education materials
• Teacher Training Programs and Workshops
• OSGC Mini-grants

4.1 At least 90 percent of supported K-12 teachers will report increased knowledge in NASA and STEM content as a result of professional development activity.
4.2 At least 90 percent of K-12 teachers receiving a mini-grant will report increased student knowledge in NASA and STEM content as a result of the activity.

Goal 5 – Encourage informal educational activities promoting STEM.

• OSGC Informal Education grants

5.1 Fund a minimum of one program annually to increase and engage public awareness in informal STEM activities and NASA opportunities.
5.2 Sponsor STEM programs on Ohio university campuses targeted to women and underrepresented minorities (minimum of 1 program per year).

The OSGC goals and objectives developed and adopted in February, 2015, to align with NASA’s Strategic Plan (SP) (NASA Strategic Objective 2.4); the NASA Office of Education Lines Of Business (LOBs) goals; Annual Performance Indicators (APIs); and America COMPETES Reauthorization Act (ACRA) CoSTEM Objective 4. The Underrepresented Minority student target was updated to 16.5% to reflect Table 306.60, as outlined in Table 306.60, National Center for Education Statistics (November, 2018).

Fact Sheet
Click here to view current OSGC Fact Sheet.