In an effort to build the interest, skills and knowledge necessary for K-12 students to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers, NASA's Minority University Research and Education Program (MUREP) Aerospace Academy (MAA) is providing nearly $2.3 million in grants to seven Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).

Three of the institutions—Elizabeth City State University (ECSU), Navajo Technical College (NTU) and Tennessee State University (TSU)—will use their grant money to focus on UAS and robotic-related technology.
 
ECSU will conduct a comprehensive outreach program for K-12 education in rural northeastern North Carolina. The university will adopt a “grade-appropriate NASA curriculum” to enhance authentic and experiential learning experiences through the integration of various technologies including UAS design and mobile robotics.

Through the use of a state-of-the-art mobile aerospace education lab, local school districts will benefit from the project. The hands-on activities are expected to “inspire and engage students in problem-based learning and scientific inquiry.”

NTU is proposing to develop a robotics academy in partnership with the Bond Wilson Center for Technologies in Kirtland, New Mexico. Through this new partnership, high school students from tribal reservation communities are provided with advanced classes in a variety of fields, including UAS. 

The NTU robotics academy will provide students with a “stimulating environment” where students can exercise their curiosity and creativity in information technology and STEM.

Finally, TSU will create a STEM curriculum based on three thematic modules, which will each contain problem-based learning methods enriched with hands-on instructional strategies. This program will make the most out of the NASA Aerospace Education Laboratory, which provides, among many things, UAS and robotics.

Through a strategic partnership with elementary and middle schools from the Metropolitan Nashville Public School District, the project will increase its capacity and expand its reach.

According to NASA, the selections—which also include Albany State University, California State University, Fresno, Texas State University and the University of Texas at El Paso—will “increase the participation and retention of historically underserved and underrepresented youth in grades K-12 through hands-on STEM activities.” Each institution will receive up to $325,000 for a two-year period.