Nearly 2,000 Picked For National Science Project

NASA has selected 1,895 high school students to participate in the agency's Interdisciplinary National Science Project Incorporating Research and Education Experience, or INSPIRE. The INSPIRE project is designed to encourage students in grades nine through 12 to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The selectees are from 47 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. They were chosen based on their academic achievement and demonstrated interest in pursuing a STEM education.

The students will have access to an online learning community that allows them to interact with their peers, NASA engineers and scientists. The community also provides appropriate grade-level educational activities, discussion boards and chat rooms to learn about NASA career opportunities. The students may also be selected to participate in 2011 summer workshops or internships at NASA facilities and participating universities.

The INSPIRE project is part of NASA's education efforts to engage and retain students in disciplines critical to the agency's missions.

FMI: www.nasa.gov/education/INSPIRE