What is a Space Science Broker?

NASA created the Office of Space Science (OSS) Education and Public Outreach (E/PO) Support Network as part of its education initiative. The Support Network consists of Education Forums and Broker/Facilitators.

Forums focus on a specific space science topic. At present, there exists four forums: the Sun-Earth Connection, Solar System Exploration, Astronomical Search for Origins, and the Structure and Evolution of the Universe.

Broker/Facilitators or simply Brokers, focus on a specific geographical region to both disseminate materials created within the four forums and to nurture partnerships between space scientists and educators in carrying out E/PO activities. Examples of E/PO activities include educator workshops, faculty symposia, classroom engagements, museum programs, scouting activities, and other community events. Brokers also facilitate the development and dissemination of space science E/PO products and materials.

As the name indicates, New England Space Science Initiative in Education, or "NESSIE" is a broker/facilitator that focuses on the New England region of the United States.

NESSIE's broker service is a grant funded service of NASA that incurs no cost to you. Some of the programs we recommend may include fees or charges, however. Please verify with the organization responsible or ask your NESSIE agent for more information on particular programs of interest.

NESSIE is one of seven regional Broker/Facilitators within NASA's Office of Space Science (OSS) education and public outreach (E/PO) support network.

For more information on NASA's Office of Space Science Education and Public Outreach Strategy, please refer to Partners in Education, the Office of Space Science Education Implementation Plan and the Explanatory Guide to the evaluation criteria for E/PO segments of OSS proposals.