The Ohio Space Grant Consortium (OSGC) was established in 1989 (along with the original Ohio 12-member universities) by the United States Congress, and is part of the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program known as “Space Grant” administered through the Office of Education at NASA Headquarters. There are 52 consortia, one in each state, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Space Grant is a unique national network of colleges and universities working to expand opportunities for Americans to understand and participate in NASA’s aeronautics and space projects by supporting and enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) higher education, research infrastructure, precollege (K-12), and informal education public outreach efforts. The Space Grant national network includes over 850 affiliates from universities, colleges, industry, museums, science centers, and state and local agencies.

The OSGC is currently composed of 17 universities, 7 community colleges, NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) and the Air Force Research Laboratories (AFRL), and various education outreach partners. The OSGC Program Office is located at the Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI) in Cleveland, Ohio, and is led by Dr. Gary L. Slater who serves as the OSGC Director.

Former OSGC Scholar Featured on NASA Glenn’s Website!
Ashlie McVetta, a former OSGC scholar, is being featured on “My Job at NASA” currently on NASA Glenn Research Center’s website. During her undergraduate years at The University of Toledo, Ashlie received her first OSGC scholarship as a freshman in Mechanical Engineering. As a recipient of OSGC Bridge scholarship, she interned her freshman and sophomore years at NASA Glenn Research Center. For the rest of her undergraduate career, she received OSGC Junior and Senior Scholarships and developed research on carbon fiber suspension and design on the Powertrain system. Ashlie graduated from UT in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, and began working for Jacob’s Technology. Recently Ashlie took on a new position as a NASA Civil Servant in the area of Turbomachinery and Heat Transfer at NASA Glenn Research Center.

Ashlie McVetta and the late Dr. Kenneth DeWitt at the 2006 OSGC Student Research Symposium

Throughout her academic career Ashlie was encouraged greatly by the late Dr. Kenneth DeWiit, former OSGC Director. She fondly remembers, “I am very thankful for my OSGC opportunity and especially to Dr. DeWitt for taking me under his wing when I started going to Toledo and encouraging me to do my best and get involved with research which I took interest in and is where I am at in my career today.” Please click below to see Ashlie and other featured NASA Glenn employees tell their stories in support of STEM education. http://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/about/employees/index.html

Vision
The vision of the Ohio Space Grant Consortium (OSGC) is to enhance opportunities for all Ohioans to participate in NASA Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)-related research, education, workforce, and public service programs to build and sustain a diverse, well-prepared technical workforce for NASA and the Nation, and to lead in the promotion and development of aeronautics, space science and engineering, and earth science.

Mission
The mission of the Ohio Space Grant Consortium (OSGC) is to advance the Nation’s capability in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) leading to the continued development of a diverse workforce through NASA-related collaborations within Ohio’s network of scientists, researchers, engineers, and educators at Ohio colleges and universities, the Ohio Aerospace Institute, NASA Centers, the Air Force Research Laboratory, and industry that align with the National Space Grant Program goals and objectives and NASA’s education outcomes. A key component of this activity is to attract and retain students in STEM disciplines.

Objectives

• Sustain a network of Ohio universities, colleges and community colleges with interests and capabilities in aeronautics, space, and related fields.
• Promote a strong science, engineering, mathematics, and technology educational base from elementary through university levels.
• Encourage cooperative programs among universities, aerospace industry, and federal, state, and local governments.
• Support interdisciplinary training, research, and public service programs related to aerospace.
• Recruit and train professionals, especially women and underrepresented minorities, for careers in aerospace science, engineering, mathematics and technology fields.

The Space Grant's primary emphases in Ohio are student scholarships and fellowships on the university level; research infrastructure, and higher education activities related to aerospace for university faculty; student programs with an aerospace-science-math component for K-12 teachers; and public outreach programs. Relationships among GRC and AFRL personnel with university faculty, students, and K-12 teachers are strongly encouraged.

Goals

• Goal 1 - To develop a STEM workforce in Ohio through a comprehensive scholarship and fellowship program at universities and colleges, through internships and educator development programs, and to increase workforce diversity by support of underrepresented groups in higher education to prepare individuals for employment in various NASA-related STEM careers.
• Goal 2 - To support and integrate research and education for faculty and post-doctoral researchers within the State of Ohio through collaborations between universities and with NASA Centers, OSGC affiliates, the State of Ohio, the Ohio Aerospace Institute, the Air Force Research Laboratory, and STEM-related industry.
• Goal 3 - To encourage the development of new courses and programs that will broaden the availability of STEM curriculum throughout the State of Ohio, especially in rural areas, at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and community colleges, and strengthen existing STEM education programs at affiliate member’s schools through support for curriculum and course development.
• Goal 4 - To promote hands-on student projects and activities primarily in higher education activities that will excite, inspire, and engage diverse student populations to become involved in STEM education, ultimately to be integrated into the NASA pipeline and STEM career paths.
• Goal 5 - To work within our affiliate network with a focus on Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and community colleges, to ensure that NASA and STEM opportunities are presented, encouraged, and awarded in accordance with respect for the diverse population of Ohio.
• Goal 6 - To encourage and promote K-12 student interest in pursuing higher education STEM curricula by supporting the development of qualified STEM educators through scholarships and workshops, and provide access to NASA educational materials.
• Goal 7 - To encourage the development and focus of outreach programs, courses, and research projects that align with current areas of emphasis within NASA priorities, as well as the needs of the State of Ohio.

Fact Sheet
Click here to view current OSGC Fact Sheet.