NASA promotes STEM education for Hispanic students

NASA promotes STEM education for Hispanic students

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, average earnings for professionals in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) occupations were $64,650 during the 2006-2007 fiscal year. In order to encourage more adults to pursue careers in this field, NASA has created a number of STEM initiatives.

For example, astronaut Lee Morin will attend the Hispanic Engineering, Science and Technology (HESTEC) Week at the University of Texas-Pan American campus. He will give a presentation and sign autographs at the NASA Summer of Innovation (SoI) exhibit. The goal of the SoI is to encourage Hispanic students to take an interest in STEM fields.

Morin joined NASA at the Johnson Space Center more than 14 years ago. He was selected as an astronaut the same year, and has since logged more than 259 hours in space including 14 hours of spacewalking.

In order to create the SoI, the Johnson Space Center collaborated with the University of Texas-Pan American and Space Center Houston, the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston Independent School District, Galena Park ISD, Dr Ronald E. McNair Educational (DREME) Science Literary Foundation, Houston Community College Male Minority Initiative and Houston Works USA.

By Mark Danson