NASA and the Foothill – De Anza Community College District are signing a planning agreement tomorrow to facilitate the development of an academic center in NASA Research Park for first-generation college students interested in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and education.
The college district’s plan includes offering academic programs at NASA to prepare students for information technology, astrobiology and the life sciences, engineering, mathematics and physical sciences.
“This agreement will bring community college students in high-tech career paths to classrooms and labs onsite at NASA Ames,” said Dr. Adena Loston, associate administrator for education at NASA Headquarters. “This partnership advances the goal of the new NASA Education Enterprise, to inspire more students to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics, with the ultimate goal of having them choose careers in aeronautics and space at NASA. This next generation of explorers will learn what it takes to develop the technologies of tomorrow, through unique teaching and lab experiences, provided as only NASA can.” she said.
“We are delighted to sign this agreement and look forward to working with the Foothill – De Anza Community College District as they embark on this exciting project,” said G. Scott Hubbard, director of NASA Ames Research Center. “NASA is committed to working hand in hand with teachers and academic institutions to enhance educational opportunities and programs, to provide access to unique NASA products, learning materials, facilities and researchers, and to inspire the next generation. The new center is an excellent way for us to work collaboratively to accomplish these important goals,” he said.
“It is indeed a pleasure to be signing this agreement today,” said Dr. Lois A. Callahan, interim chancellor of the Foothill -De Anza Community College District. “Even though we are all experiencing these extraordinarily difficult economic times, we must look to the future. Working with NASA to plan a first-class educational center at the NASA Research Park will move us forward as our economy recovers,” she said.
“By collaborating with NASA and other partners of the NASA Research Park, we are excited to plan for a new vision of higher education in Silicon Valley,” said Dr. Bernadine Chuck Fong, president of Foothill College.
“To make a difference in the lives of Silicon Valley students historically underrepresented in higher education, De Anza College is proud to partner with NASA and our local high schools to provide new educational models to give our students the math, science and technology skills they must have to be successful in our new economy,” said Dr. Martha J. Kanter, president of De Anza College.
The Foothill-De Anza Community College District was founded in 1957 to serve residents of Cupertino, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Sunnyvale and portions of Santa Clara and San José. The district also serves as the primary high school-to- community college link to the Fremont Union, Mountain View-Los Altos Union and Palo Alto Unified high school districts. District officials say the challenge of the 21st century includes the need to serve a growing and diverse student population. Since 1957, Foothill-De Anza has responded to the needs of more than one million students who have enrolled in its day, evening, off campus and online courses. The innovative workforce that has transformed the Silicon Valley is comprised of more than 500,000 former Foothill-De Anza students.
Located on 213 acres at Moffett Field, NASA Research Park is envisioned as a world-class, shared-use research and development campus in association with academia, industry and non-profit organizations. NASA Ames has a vibrant education outreach program, hosting many events onsite and delivering NASA education materials to classrooms nationally. NASA Ames is partnering with organizations to conduct research in astrobiology, nanotechnology, information technology and other aerospace-related research areas.
For more information about NASA Research Park on the Internet, visit:
