Arkansas Space Grant Consortium

The Arkansas Space Grant Consortium (ASGC) is part of the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program NASA initiated in ’89; operations in the state began March 1, 1990. ASGC Includes 17 four-year universities and colleges throughout Arkansas. Our primary goal is to educate and familiarize faculty, undergraduate and graduate students with aerospace and related industries. The ASGC also conducts programs to familiarize and motivate K-12 students with the STEM related courses needed to enter aerospace activities at colleges and universities to prepare them to enter high tech white-collar and blue-collar professions in high-tech industries. **Mission** To Actively promote the involvement of the State of Arkansas in NASA activities. **Strategic Plan** - Create on campuses of the scientifically and technically oriented four-year institutions of higher education in Arkansas an awareness of NASA activities and research opportunities. - Develop at those institutions new aerospace educational activities and research capabilities and activities. - Recruit and train faculty and students to participate in those developed educational and research programs. - Provide programs directed to K-12 schools and the general public that create a greater awareness of NASA’s mission and programs. - Methods of Implementation: Increase Arkansas higher education institutions’ involvement in NASA activities by providing research infrastructure grants to faculty to promote networking between those faculty and NASA scientists. Provide addition “seed” support as necessary to promote a continuing program for those faculty and NASA scientists. - Increase the number of students interested in pursuing careers in aerospace related areas by providing graduate fellowships and undergraduate scholarships to qualified students, which involve direct interaction between NASA and the students. - Develop outreach programs for K-12 teachers. - Support aerospace lectures for Arkansas College/University faculty and students, as well as the general public.