FSU to Host Summer Geospatial Science Institute for Local High School Students Through NASA Grant

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C., (May 19, 2022) – NASA has awarded Fayetteville State University a grant to establish the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) Precollege Summer Institute in Geospatial Science and Technology.

NASA’s Minority University Research and Education project has selected FSU for a federal award of funding for its proposal, “Drones, remote sensing, and GIS to map and analyze CO2 and land change for climate change and public health decision making.” FSU is one of 10 historically black colleges and universities selected to receive the award.

The selected proposal aims to increase interest of high school students in STEM, particularly underrepresented and underserved students and equip them with the tools necessary for success in STEM degree programs leading to associated careers through engagement and interaction with NASA’s Earth Science.

“Students will learn and practice with earth science and geospatial science STEM concepts and principles through hands-on and authentic lessons and lab exercises,” said Trung Tran, Ph.D., FSU assistant professor in Geospatial Science and principal investigator of the project.

Additionally, the institute will offer workshops, information about potential jobs and internships relevant to earth science, geospatial science, and technology, as well as admission procedures and benefits of becoming students at FSU.

This July, twenty rising 10th through 12th grade high school students from Cumberland County high schools will be recruited for a two-week residential camp at FSU. University students will have opportunities to participate in the project through student assistantships.

Built with four curriculum modules, the camp will expose students to satellite remote sensing, monitoring CO2, geographic information system and technology and drone engineering and operations.

The institute is a result of partnerships with NASA Jet Propulsion Lab and NASA Langley Research Center as well as local academic organizations including North Carolina Space Grant, NC State Center for Geospatial Analytics, State Climate Office, FSU College of Education, FSU TRIO Talent Search Program, FSU TRIO Upward Bound Math & Science Program and local industries, Emerging Technology Institute, SpatialGIS, and others.

Complete details regarding NASA awards for precollege summer institutes are available online.