NASA connection gets high marks

MOSCOW, Idaho — The education coalition which represents Idaho’s connection to NASA has received the highest marks possible in its 15-year performance evaluation.

The NASA Idaho Space Grant Consortium is most visible for its student competitions such as the Mars Rover Challenge, Exploring Mars Art Contest and Idaho Balloon RISE.

“We were informed that we are performing at the highest level within our grant classification of the nation’s 52 Space Grant Consortia,” said Jean Teasdale, program director at the University of Idaho.

That means a five-year extension for the program.

The consortium has nearly two dozen members including the state universities, public schools, five science centers and museums, a state park, state departments and a national monument.

The federal evaluators looked at the consortium’s science, math, engineering and technology programs for education and research. It also provides scholarships, fellowships and workforce development.

They praised Idaho’s higher education curriculum and aggressive recruitment of women and underrepresented individuals.

The research grants have included such studies as geophysics, microelectronics, remote sensing and propulsion.

“Remote sensing and spatial analysis technologies are critically needed tools for the management of Idaho’s vast agriculture and forest land base, water and other natural resources,” said Charles Hatch, research vice president at Idaho.