1. What is NESSIE?
The New England Space Science Initiative in Education, or "NESSIE" is one of seven regional "broker/facilitators" within NASA's Support Network for Science Education and Public Outreach (E/PO). This Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section was created to fully answer that question in greater detail; we invite you to read on.

   

2. What is a Broker/Facilitator?
Webster’s Dictionary defines Broker as one who acts as an intermediary; facilitator is defined as one who "helps bring about," and that is exactly what NESSIE does - acts as an intermediary to help bring about partnerships between scientists and educators, students and members of the general public in an effort to enhance Space Science education. We also connect these diverse audiences with Space Science resources via this website and through other distribution channels. Visit "What is a Space Science Broker" for more information on the role of the Broker/Facilitator.

   

3. What is NASA’s Support Network for Science Education and Public Outreach?
This support network consists of 4 topical "Education Forums" and 7 regional "Broker/Facilitators" which collectively enable a comprehensive suite of Space Science education and public outreach programs throughout the United States. The 4 Education Forums respectively focus on the 4 themes of Sun-Earth Connection, Solar System Exploration, Structure and Evolution of the Universe, and Astronomical Search for Origins. The 7 Broker/Facilitators focus on identifying and addressing the educational needs within their respective geographic regions. Further information can be found at NASA's Education and Public Outreach section of its website.

   

4. What area does NESSIE serve?
As the name indicates, NESSIE serves the 6-state New England region: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

   

5. Where is NESSIE located?

Museum of Science Boston
NESSIE Department
1 Science Park
Boston, MA, 02114
(617) 589-0227
Email: nessie@mos.org

   

6. Who does NESSIE broker?
NESSIE serves Scientists, Educators, Students, and the General Public – basically everyone interested in Space Science and Space Science education. Our regional focus is on New England, but we closely coordinate with the other regional Broker/Facilitators and topical Education Forums in support of nationwide E/PO.

   

7. What is Space Science?
Space Science involves the study of our Universe – including auroras and other "space weather" near Earth, the Sun and Solar System of planets, moons, asteroids and comets, other stellar and planetary systems, the Milky Way and other galaxies, and the totality of matter and energy that has evolved since the Big Bang -- some 14 billion years ago. The big questions in Space Science include "How did the Universe begin"? "How has the Universe evolved?" "How did we get here?" "Where are we going?" and "Are we alone?"

   

8. How can NESSIE help me as a space scientist?
NESSIE can help scientists in particular with the preparation of proposals for funding in support of their Education and Public Outreach (E/PO) activities. Recent NASA statistics show that scientists who work with a NASA broker in the preparation of their E/PO proposals are significantly more likely to have their proposals selected (with chances for selection increasing from 20% without broker assistance to 50% with broker assistance).

Other ways we can help you as a space scientist is to partner you with K-16 educators, curriculum developers, planetarium educators, exhibit designers, librarians, and community leaders whose interests and needs best match your particular scientific endeavors. Even if you have fleshed out an E/PO idea and an educator to partner with, NESSIE can provide pertinent NASA materials to enhance your E/PO program.

Also, from time to time, there arises the need for scientists to speak on Astronomy and Space Science at various events. If you are interested in being added to our Speakers Board, please contact us for more information. Please visit the Info for Scientists section for more information and resources.

   

9. How can NESSIE help me as an educator?
NESSIE can provide a variety of helpful services for educators -- from facilitating professional development workshops and conferences, to providing access to NASA education materials, to consulting on formal education curricula and informal education programming. NESSIE also partners educators with scientists for a variety of purposes, either to carry out E/PO programs or to increase access (for all) to opportunities in Space Science. Much of what we do is founded on education research into learning and teaching which we have synthesized and communicated in peer-reviewed articles and professional conferences. The services we offer are as broad as your Space Science education needs. Please visit the Info for Educators section for more information and resources.

   

10. How can NESSIE help me as a student?
NESSIE’s website links students to a wide range of undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate programs in Astronomy and Space Science at New England area colleges and universities. The NESSIE website also provides updates on internship and fellowship opportunities. We’ve also compiled a variety of fun Space Science links for children in elementary and secondary grades and for older kids at the college level to get started in the wonderful world of Astronomy at our Info for Students section.

   

11. How can NESSIE help me as a member of the general public?
NESSIE’s website can point you to planetariums, observatories, and astronomy clubs in your local area. NESSIE also works with these institutional partners to produce Space Science events for the general public. NESSIE also provides Space Science updates on a weekly basis through the Museum of Science’s Current Science and Technology center. These include live, video, and podcast events. Please see the Info for the General Public section for more information.

   

12. What is Education and Public Outreach (E/PO)?
NASA's educational goal is to reach out to school and public audiences, so as to share the excitement of exploring the space frontier. This can occur either in formal educational settings—K-12 classrooms, colleges and universities—or in informal educational settings, which include museums and science centers, libraries, community centers, fairs, family gatherings, etc.

   

13. As a space scientist, why do I want to take part in E/PO?
Recent statistics show that scientists who work with a NASA broker increase their chances of having their grant proposal selected by 50%; without employing the assistance of a broker, that chance is reduced to 20%, so you increase your odds by a factor of two if you choose to work with a broker. Even if you have an E/PO idea and an educator to partner with, NESSIE can offer you NASA materials to enhance your efforts.

   

14. As an educator, how do I benefit from NASA Space Science E/PO?
Space and dinosaurs are the two most popular scientific subjects for children. As such, Astronomy and Space Science provide invaluable gateways for children to experience evidence-based scientific inquiry. Moreover, the popularity of space exploration among children provides leverage for teaching other subjects, including mathematics, reading, and history. Through NASA’s Support Network in Space Science E/PO, you can get professional development, access to educational resources, and information on opportunities in Space Science education.

   

15. How do I as a Space Science educator find out about scientists who are involved in E/PO?
Please contact us! We can help you find someone who can work with you in the areas that most suit your educational needs and the needs of your students and colleagues.

   

16. Is there a fee for NESSIE’s services?
No. Some of the programs we recommend however, may incur fees or charges. Please check with the organization responsible or contact us for more information on particular programs of interest.

   

17. Who funds NESSIE?
NESSIE is funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) and is hosted by the Museum of Science, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, and Tufts University. Together, these premier institutions enable a wide range of opportunities and resources in Space Science education.

   

18. Why does NASA provide this free service?
NASA's mission is "to understand and protect our home planet; to explore the Universe and search for life; and to inspire the next generation of explorers." In order to carry out this mission, NASA believes that a citizenry educated in Space Science will be inspired to support the investment it takes to accomplish this mission. Also, NASA depends on a well-informed and educated workforce of scientists, engineers, administrators, and educators in order to carry out its far-reaching mission.

   

19. What does NASA do?
The National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) is a civilian government agency that focuses on developing aeronautical capabilities which enable the exploration of earth and space from space. NASA’s Science Mission Directorate carries out this research using scientific payloads that are launched to sub-orbital "near-space," Earth orbit, or inter-planetary space. NASA’s space-borne science program complements that provided by the National Science Foundation which focuses on ground-based research programs. For example, the orbiting Hubble Space Telescope is a NASA-funded program, while the Gemini telescope in Hawaii is sponsored by the NSF. Further information about NASA’s Science Mission Directorate can be gleaned from the Common Questions section of its website.