nasa’s new solar system helping students launch their future with nasa student on-line application...
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NASA’s New SOLAR System
Helping students launch their future with NASA
NASA’s New SOLAR System
Helping students launch their future with NASA
Student On-Line Application for Recruiting Interns, Fellows and ScholarsA Component of NASA’s One Stop Shopping Initiative
An initiative of NASA’s Office of Education
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One Stop Shopping Initiative Leadership Message
“The SOLAR System is one component of the Agency-wide One Stop Shopping Initiative to provide students seeking NASA research and
education opportunities with a “one stop shopping” experience. The system will centralize &
standardize the application and placement process for students engaged in STEM research, aerospace
education and space exploration, and it will help strengthen the development, management and
analysis of NASA’s workforce pipeline.”
Dr. Mabel MatthewsHigher Education Manager NASA Office of Education
Project Objectives
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NASA’s Education Goals Outlined in the
NASA Strategic Plan
Strategic Goal 2: Attracting and retaining students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines
OSSI Objectives
Functional Objective 4:Standardize the selection process
Functional Objective 5:Enhance communication, participation and collaboration between scientists and engineers and funding source managers/coordinators for internship/fellowship programs
Strategic Goal 3: Engaging Americans in NASA’s mission
Strategic Goal 1: Strengthening NASA and the Nation’s future workforce
Functional Objective 1:Provide a single point-of-entry for students seeking NASA internships, fellowships and scholarships
Functional Objective 6:Increase the workforce pipeline of former NASA interns/fellows [Re-entry]
Functional Objective 3:Increase participation of all types of Higher Education institutions through the use of Broker-Facilitator Corps to recruit and assist students in applying for internships/fellowships, in addressing retention issues and in developing career strategies
Functional Objective 2:Enhance national branding of NASA’s internship/fellowship opportunities
Project Description
4Student On-Line Application for Recruiting (SOLAR) Interns, Fellows, and Scholars
Functional Concept of Operations
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Recruit students from all types of Higher Ed Institutions (PWI, PBI,
HSI, and TCUs)
Submit opportunity requirements
Solicit opportunities
Complete application process Finalize requirements
and post opportunities
Assist students with navigating
application process
View & apply for opportunities
Ensure eligibility for specific opportunity
Initiate application for internship/fellowship
Receive offer letter
Accept or reject offer
Provide feedback
StudentsCenter Ed Office
& Funding Source Managers/
Coordinators
MentorsBroker-Facilitators
Evaluate and select one of mentor’s top
candidates with Center panel
Extend offer to studentReceive status on selection process
Receive notification of student selection
and acceptance
Submit evaluation of student intern
Finalize requirements for opportunities
Provide notification of acceptance or extend
offer to another candidate
Obtain metrics on applicants, eligibility,
and selection to ensure coverage of
institutions
Host NASA-wide Higher Ed virtual
community awareness training & leadership
development sessions
Obtain metrics on applicants, eligibility,
and selection
STARTSTART START START
Collaborate with institutions
(counselors, faculty & deans), Professional Advocacy Orgs, & NASA, Academia &
Industry stakeholders
Access all NASA undergrad, grad &
Bridge opportunities through one website
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Report data to OMB, White House
Initiative, Congress, and other
stakeholders
Automatically obtain metrics on interns
and fellows from system
Evaluate and rank top three to five
eligible students for specific opportunity
HQ Office of Education
Respond to inquiries from the public or
forward to Business Mgr for response
START
Encourage students to stay in NASA pipeline through re-entry process
Business Manager – Facilitates the processes involved in transitioning students from the application submission to longitudinal follow up.
Encourage students to stay in NASA pipeline through re-entry process
Encourage students to stay in NASA pipeline through re-entry process
Receive status update on application
& info on recent NASA news
Re-
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Current Challenges of Recruiting and Selecting Students
Students must submit applications in multiple systems to apply for opportunities at different Centers and for different types of programs
Processes are currently decentralized, vary between Centers and programs, and are complex for students to understand
50% of students initiating an application do not complete the application
Inability to track and manage students to form workforce pipeline
The mentors’ satisfaction with the process varies depending on Center systems’ capabilities
Difficult to on-board students
STUDENTS MENTORS
See all of NASA’s opportunities—graduate and undergraduate—in one, easy-access system
See all student applicants for NASA opportunities —graduate and undergraduate—in one, easy-access system
Submit an application that can be viewed by all NASA mentors
Submit a description of your opportunity that can be viewed by students nationwide
Submit interest in up to 15 opportunities
See student applicants that selected your opportunity as one of their top 15
Standard application deadlines across NASA
Select students using a more efficient process to expedite offers
Key Features of SOLAR
Goddard Space Flight Center’s Involvement
• A Project Commitment Agreement between HQ Office of Education and GSFC/ITCD was established for the formulation and implementation of the system
• Functional sponsor of the initiative is Dr. Mabel Matthews of the HQ Office of Education
• Project leadership is through the Information Technology and Communications Directorate
• The project is being managed according to NASA Procedural Requirements 7120.7, NASA Information Technology and Institutional Infrastructure Program and Project Management Requirements
• The project falls under the governance of the Agency’s Office of the CIO, IT Program Management Board
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Application of Best Practices
• Identify stakeholder groups and impacts
• Engage a broad spectrum of stakeholders in the definition of requirements
• Utilize prototypes to help stakeholders visualize the system and ensure mutual understanding of requirements
• Incorporated stakeholder feedback
• Implement requirements in phases
• Maintain regular and frequent contact with stakeholders to ensure continued engagement
• Develop and execute a communications plan
• Conduct effective project reviews
• Plan for the transition to sustaining operations
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