$1.8 million NASA grant supports Education Resource Center

Fairmont State University is pleased to announce that it has received a grant for nearly $1.8 million for continued collaborative partnership with NASA’s Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) Program. This five-year grant will support Fairmont State University’s Education Resource Center (ERC). 

The ERC expands opportunities for West Virginia students and educators who are dedicated to the education of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).  This partnership offers educators access to facilities and resources in their efforts to meet national and state STEM educational standards.   

“This partnership between NASA IV&V and Fairmont State is helping to develop a new generation of explorers, problem solvers, and leaders in STEM-related fields through direct contact and teacher professional development,” said Deb Hemler, Fairmont State Geoscience Program Coordinator. “Last year we conducted over 50 workshops to 500 teachers, loaned 146 kits to impact 20,620 students in classrooms, and we held STEM competitions hosting 3,268 students statewide.  The renewal of this grant will allow us to continue to impact educators and students across the state of West Virginia.”

Goals for this partnership are to inspire and motivate students, encourage and support current educators, and build partnerships with all state colleges and universities to promote teacher training on STEM education. Program goals also include increasing the public’s awareness of the ERC as a useful resource for education. The ERC will continue to manage the WV Robotics Alliance Project, tournaments, and training equipment. 

The ERC has promoted STEM education in the state of West Virginia for nearly 18 years. The location of the ERC has also served as the meeting place for educators, hosting regional and statewide meetings, also presenting numerous workshops to hundreds of science and mathematics educators annually.

NASA IV & V Educator Resource Center