Fairmont State-NASA Partnership Receives Award

NASA’s Independent Verification & Validation (IV&V) Educator Resource Center, staffed and managed by Fairmont State, was inducted into the June Harless Center for Rural Educational Research & Development Hall of Fame on Friday, January 12th. NASA IV&V’s mission is to expand opportunities for West Virginia educators who are dedicated to the promotion of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. 

“Fairmont State is proud to partner with NASA IV & V to provide unique opportunities throughout West Virginia,” said Deb Hemler, FSU Geoscience Program Coordinator. “We are committed to inspiring students, supporting STEM educators, and engaging the community.  NASA IV&V and Fairmont State have proven they can provide a strong statewide partnership in this endeavor.” 

NASA IV&V Director, Greg Blaney, and ERC staff, Dr. Todd Ensign, Pam Casto, and Karen Davis were present to receive the award.   The recognition was for work in providing in-service, preservice, and informal educators with easily accessible sources for materials that reflect NASA’s current research and technology in earth and space science through Fairmont State University’s College of Science & Technology under the direction of Dr. Deb Hemler.

“We are honored that after 20 years of leadership in the field of STEM Education and outreach on behalf of the agency and Fairmont State University, the NASA IV&V ERC team was inducted into the June Harless Center's Hall of Fame on Friday,” said Ensign. 

“WV’s amazing formal and informal educators also made it possible for us to receive this award,” added Casto. They have taken our workshops, used our equipment, started robotic and rocketry teams, and asked for more!” 

"The June Harless Center represents leaders across the entire face of West Virginia education,” said Davis. “It's an honor to be part of this recognized team of education advocates in the field of STEM in this great state." 
 

Caption: NASA IV&V Director, Greg Blaney, and ERC staff, Dr. Todd Ensign, Pam Casto, and Karen Davis were present to receive the award. 

NASA IV & V Educator Resource CenterCollege of Science and Technology