Honor NASA STEM Program

Senate Resolution No. 493 BY: Senator COMRIE COMMEMORATING the NASA MAA: K1-9 STEM Education Project at York College in New York City WHEREAS, New York State's commitment to education is unparalleled; its history and stature are secured by the superlative caliber of its educational professionals and the students they inspire; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and commend those institutions of true purpose and high achievement whose exemplary programs and accomplishment clearly demonstrate an enduring pursuit of excellence in the education of the youth of the Empire State; and WHEREAS, The NASA MAA: K1-9 STEM Education Project The MUREP (Minority University Research and Education Project) Aerospace Academy made its debut at York College for the first time on October 17, 2015; and WHEREAS, In 2016, York College became one of the nine new NASA STEM Education sites selected through a rigorous and open competition nationally; the predecessor to the NASA MAA was the NASA Science, Engineering, Mathematics, and Aerospace Academy (SEMAA), which began in

1993, as a partnership between NASA Glenn Research Center and Cuyahoga Community College, in Cleveland, Ohio; and WHEREAS, The York College site was one of the oldest and has offered the SEMAA Program to the community since 1999; through SEMAA, and current MAA Program, more than 20,000 students have participated in this innovative educational initiative; and WHEREAS, In 2016, the NASA MAA program served over 1,950 direct participants, and reached out to more than 1,750 indirect participants as part of its vigorous outreach activities via hosting NASA MAA STEM events including community science fair, open houses, bringing Starlab to the community schools, back to school day, and summer camp, as well as 4-H Club; and WHEREAS, Recognizing the need to increase the number of American youth who have an effective, authentic STEM experience each year prior to completing high school, and the need for NASA to do an internal consolidation, SEMAA was incorporated into MUREP, thus creating additional funding and learning opportunities to attract and retain underserved and underrepresented youth in grades Kindergarten-12; and WHEREAS, NASA MAA advances student development through activity components which are fully integrated to form a comprehensive support system; through its components, MAAs delivers Curriculum Enhancement Activities (CEA), hands-on curriculum activities relevant to NASA missions, an Aerospace Education Laboratory (AEL), and an innovative Family Cafe; and WHEREAS, The MUREP Aerospace Academy (MAA) hopes to improve STEM literacy by engaging Kindergarten-12 students, family members, and teachers through the integration of emerging technologies, and to educate students utilizing a STEM curriculum that meets national science, technology, engineering and mathematics standards aligned to NASAs mission directorates; and WHEREAS, The MAA awards are already making impacts enabling York College to increase the number of historically underserved and underrepresented students interested in NASA specific STEM careers; provide skills to parents/caregivers to work with and encourage their children in STEM activities and programs; involve community groups, business, industry, museums, educational and professional organizations through mentoring, field trips, guest speakers, and other MAA activities; and engage students in participatory activities such as hands-on-learning, research, use of advanced technology, peer support groups, as well as mentor relationships with professionals working in the STEM fields; and WHEREAS, Within the 21st Century, the NASA MAA: K1-9 STEM Education Project at York College stands prepared to reach out, in earnest and enthusiastic quest of its mission, to promote the maximum growth of every student, establishing standards and building skills which will carry its students and the citizens of its community into the future; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the NASA MAA: K1-9 STEM Education Project at York College, noting the significance of its accomplishments and recognizing the role such effective schools play in shaping the quality of life in their community, State and Nation; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the NASA MAA: K1-9 STEM Education Project at York College.