Ares I-X is launched. Image: NASA Scott Andrews, Canon.

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Designed especially to motivate and involve minority students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics  course work, NASA's "Summer of Innovation" kicked off at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, on Thursday, June 10. 

Approximately 250 middle school students and teachers were invited to opening day at JPL. They met with NASA astronauts, engineers, and scientists. The students  learned about rocket science and space as they participated in hands-on interactive educational activities, such as launching paper rockets and building comets from Styrofoam and ribbon.

The students met NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, who served as master of ceremonies. They met other astronauts as well. They, along with NASA Director Charles Bolden, spent one on one time with the kids encouraging them to work hard in school and pay special attention to subjects in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). They told them about work in the NASA family, how they cared about and encouraged each other, and how they too could be part of that NASA family one day, if they worked and studied hard.

As part of President Barak Obama's "Educate to Innovate" efforts, the "Summer of Innovation" is funded along with other STEM education efforts. In his effort to improve minority achievement in schools, President Obama set aside $4 billion dollars in the "Race to the Top," competition for $4.35 billion in available grants.

The goal of these efforts and purpose of this funding is to:

• Increase STEM literacy  so that all students can learn deeply and think critically in science, math, engineering, and technology.
• Move American students from the middle of the pack to top in the next decade.
• Expand STEM education and career opportunities for underrepresented groups, including minorities, women, and girls.

For additional information see:

• What is STEM? Why is it important?
• Summer of Innovation Homepage
• Educate to Innovate
• NASA for Teachers: Bring NASA developed lesson plans to your own classroom.
• NASA for Students: There is something for every age group.
• NASA's Great Moonbuggy Race, an International favorite.
• Visit a NASA space center.
• Read about the Rocket City.
• For more information on specific STEM funded grants (who got them, how much and how they will be used). 

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This article is part of the Ethnic Communities Minority Resource Series by Regina Garson. Your comments and suggestions are welcome.  Subscribe to this feed and get an email update each time a new article is published.