SEE NASA
Student Educational Experience at NASA
 

The SEE NASA program began as a seed planted by Florida's First Lady, Ms. Columba Bush.  Having witnessed an impressive shuttle launch first-hand, Ms. Bush suggested that children would benefit greatly from the experience.  In its pilot stages, SEE NASA positively impacted the lives of more than 500 students in schools from Hialeah to Quincy, Florida.

OVERVIEW
Initiated in the summer of 2001, SEE NASA welcomes Florida students for an overnight educational experience at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.  During a two-day period, students participate in activities designed to increase their knowledge across a wide range of subjects.  Students discover the history and future of space exploration, learn about what it is like to live and work in space, understand the importance of math and science and how they relate to space principles, and realize that what they dream today can become the reality of tomorrow.

PROVEN SUCCESS
Seven schools have participated in SEE NASA as part of the pilot phase, including Greensboro Elementary, Quincy; North Twin Lakes Elementary, Miami Area; Palm River Elementary, Tampa; Winston Elementary, Lakeland; Greenville Elementary, Madison County; and the Diamond Community School and Saturn Elementary, Brevard County.  These schools raised their "D" grades under the State's accountability system to "A" grades, demonstrating a sincere commitment to student achievement.

These schools also meet the threshold level for Title 1 funding, meaning that more than half of the children in the school are eligible for free or reduced lunches.  It is safe to assume that the children who are participating in SEE NASA may not otherwise have the economic ability to experience the space program in such an impacting way.

GOALS
Participation in the SEE NASA program ignites the fifth grade students' interests in science and math, and supports classroom lessons already being taught.  To that end, the SEE NASA activities and corresponding curriculum incorporate the Sunshine State Standards set by the State of Florida.

Not only do the students benefit from the SEE NASA program, participating teachers benefit as well.  They have the opportunity to reinforce their math and science knowledge, acquire tools from NASA's extensive educational resources library and learn methods for incorporating space education into their regular math and science curriculum.