NASA Guam Space Grant | About | University of Guam

NASA Guam Space Grant Program

About

Supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the NASA Guam Space Grant (NGSG) program is a proud affiliate of the Hawai'i' Space Grant Consortium (HSGC). In 2019, NASA allocated money specifically to the United States territories as part of their national Space Grant program. The University of Guam was awarded the full amount of $750,000 ($150,000/year) via a subaward from HSGC in April 2020.

Hawai'i' Space Grant Consortium (HSGC)

Chartered in the Fall of 1990, HSGC is a wide-ranging community educational program supported by NASA that promotes studies in scientific and technical fields related to space. The consortium develops and runs interdisciplinary education, research, and public service programs related to space science, Earth science, remote sensing, human exploration and development of space, small satellites, and aerospace technology.

The Hawai‘i Space Grant Consortium is composed of ten institutions of higher learning including the University of Guam, the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, and seven Community Colleges (Hawai‘i, Honolulu, Kapi‘olani, Kaua‘i, Leeward, Maui, and Windward) spread over the four main Hawaiian islands. A significant goal of the program is to encourage interdisciplinary studies and research and to train future generations of space scientists and engineers.

HSGC Organizational Philosophy

Facilitate: Partnerships between schools, government, and private sector

Administer: Help to run existing programs.

Catalyze: Serve as the catalyst for new partnerships between private agency sponsors and education projects or for new joint research and education projects between industry and the University faculty.

Educate: Continue to directly support and organize NASA educational efforts for all levels of public learning.

HSGC Objectives

Strengthen the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics education focus with the
HiSTEM Pipeline
Develop links to Hawai‘i High Tech businesses
Support active affiliate Community College involvement
Establish interdepartmental links
Increase opportunities for women and minorities
Stretch workforce support

HSGC Programs

One objective of the Hawai‘i Space Grant Consortium in accordance with NASA's educational objectives is to build and maintain an educational pipeline that includes provisions for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Hawai‘i Space Grant Consortium has developed the HiSTEM program with strong educational pipelines to propel the technical learning experiences from elementary school to Master's level postgraduate degrees. The HiSTEM pipeline consists of three branches in the areas of Space Science, Engineering, and Remote Sensing that offer activities from K-12 to undergraduate to graduate level. We recognize the need to engage student interest in STEM disciplies at a young age and the HiSTEM pipeline is designed to provide hands-on interactive and engaging programs at every level of education.

>>Visit the HSGC Website.

National Space Grant Program

The Space Grant Program will be NASA's agent for change, coordination, and cooperation in technical education, the enhancement of research infrastructure, and in the promotion and inspiration of lifelong learning of math, science, engineering and technology.

Congress enacted the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Act on October 30, 1987. The Act is a new commitment by Congress to higher education. Congress expects that the participating universities and NASA will cooperate under this Act to extend the benefits the nation obtains from its broad range of aerospace activities. In analogy to the Land and Sea Grant programs, Congress anticipates that Space Grant universities, their affiliates, and NASA will conceive new ideas, seed future growth, both on and off the Earth, cultivate and nurture opportunities for citizens through technology transfer, then guide them toward new ventures, educating them to function in a society burgeoning with engineering and scientific innovations.

History of the National Space Grant Program

From Mission to America, Report of the National Council of Space Grant Directors, The Woods Hole Workshop, August 24-28,1992.)

"In 1958, Congress passed the National Space Act. That act transformed the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics into the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and firmly committed the United States to the exploration and exploitation of space for future benefit. NASA maintains major research, development, demonstration, and operation programs in aeronautics, manned and unmanned space flight, space commercialization, and advanced technologies. NASA has conducted unmanned missions to all but one of the planets of our solar system. It has established major observatories in space for continued studies of the Earth, our solar system, and the distant universe. NASA vehicles regularly fly people to and from orbit. By the year 2000, Americans will reside permanently in orbit about Earth. Furthermore, the President has committed the nation to establishing a permanent moonbase and eventually sending people to Mars."

"NASA is a small, critically necessary, part of the larger field of American aerospace industries and services, frequently considered the hallmark of U.S. world technological, economic, and scientific leadership. Aerospace industries and services enable rapid travel across the United States and tightly link the nation to the rest of the world. NASA programs serve the national security. NASA's research and development capabilities contribute to the economic health of the nation by sponsoring scientific research and creating new technology. With its experimental missions, with its creative methods of transferring technology to public uses, and with its unique complements of university and industrial affiliates, NASA has long been perceived as a farsighted agent in advancing the education of Americans."

"Congress enacted the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Act on October 30, 1987. The Act is a new commitment by Congress to higher education. Congress expects that the participating universities and NASA will cooperate under this Act to extend the benefits the nation obtains from its broad range of aerospace activities. In analogy to the Land and Sea Grant programs, Congress anticipates that Space Grant universities, their affiliates, and NASA will conceive new ideas, seed future growth, both on and off the Earth, cultivate and nurture opportunities for citizens through technology transfer, then guide them toward new ventures, educating them to function in a society burgeoning with engineering and scientific innovations." . . .

The National Space Grant Program has been modeled after the National Land Grant [the Morrill Act of 1862] and the National Sea Grant university programs [1966)]. "The Space Grant Program concept was introduced by Senator Lloyd Bentsen in 1986 as Senate Bill 2098. In congressional testimony introducing the legislation, Senator Bensten stated, 'Space Grant Program's research and development effort would be directed toward national ends for space technology and commercialization.'" In the actual legislation, Congress found that "research and development of space science, space technology, and space commercialization contributed to the enhancement of commerce." Further, Congress found that "development of space frontiers requires a broad commitment and partnership between Federal government, states, private industry, and universities concerned with utilization of space. The intent of the legislation was to use existing schools and encourage interdisciplinary consortia of universities and industry. Senator Bentsen proposed that grants be 'awarded on a competitive basis to applicants who propose the most cost-effective programs for the development and utilization of space resources.' In his congressional remarks, Senator Bentsen stated that the Space Grant fellowship program would be established for education and training assistance at the undergraduate and graduate levels. In the enacting legislation, Congress found that NASA 'will provide the needs for promotion of activities in the program that will result in greater understanding, assessment, development, and utilization of space.'" (The Woods Hole Report).

"Congress expected to encourage the following activity from its enabling legislation:

• Promote a strong educational base, obtain responsive research and training, and achieve broad dissemination of knowledge and techniques.

• Utilize universities to support exploration and development of resources and opportunities afforded by the space environment.

• Encourage and support multidisciplinary programs of space research within the university community.

• Engage in integrated activities of training, research, and public service.

• Conduct cooperative programs with industry.

• Coordinate the Space Grant Program with the overall program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

• Encourage and support consortia comprised of university and industry members to advance the exploration and development of space resources.

• Encourage and support Federal funding for graduate fellowships in fields related to space.

• Support activities in colleges and universities generally for the purposes of creating and operating a network of institutional programs that will enhance achievements resulting from efforts under the program." (The Woods Hole Report).

Fifty-two Space Grant consortia now work individually toward these purposes in every state, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Directors of the statewide consortia formed the National Councils of Space Grant Directors to satisfy Congress's mandate for a national network. The Council enables the fifty-two directors to work with NASA in constructing a national network.

From: ISSO -- Institute for Space Systems Operations, 1992-1993 Annual Report.

>>Visit the NASA National Space Grant Website.

Associate Director

King Romina

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Current Students

James Pangelinan

James Pangelinan

Guam

Email: jamespangelinan3@gmail.com
Advisor: Dr. Chris Yeo
Research: Statistical Modeling of Extreme Precipitation Processes on Pacific Islands
Area: Hydrology

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Project Description

Title: Statistical Modeling of Extreme Precipitation Processes on Pacific Islands

Description: Understanding phenomena of extreme precipitation patterns is an essential requirement for hydrologic and hydraulic impact studies. Extreme precipitation events can have significant negative impact such as devastation to infrastructure, economical loss and the loss of lives.

Jonelle Nego Sayama

Jonelle Nego Sayama

Mangilao, Guam

Email: sayamaj10701@gotritons.uog.edu
Advisor: Dr. Romina King
Research: Mapping the Effects of Sea Level Rise on Guam’s Mangrove Forests
Area: Environmental Science

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Project Description

Title: Mapping the Effects of Sea Level Rise on Guam’s Mangrove Forests

Description: For my thesis project, I will be using an unmanned aerial vehicle
(UAV) to map the effects of sea level rise due to climate change on Guam’s mangrove forests.

Mangrove forests are among the most biologically important ecosystems of the world, because they provide important services to coastal and marine systems and to human society. They stabilize shorelines in the event of natural disasters, provide habitat for marine species and are carbon-sequestering instruments. By understanding the effects that sea level rise will have on our island’s mangroves, we can better aid in its adaptation and restoration.

What does NASA Guam Space Grant mean to you?

This grant has allowed me to explore new scientific possibilities and has given me the opportunity to positively serve this island and all those whose livelihoods may be affected by rising seas.

I am most excited about being able to explore the island of Guam from a different perspective, by using new technology.

Student Success

Meet Tristan Palanca!

Photograph of Tristan Palanca — *Tristan Palanca poses alongside a station helicopter model at the Langley Research Center*

Meet Tristan Palanca, a UOG computer science major graduate who spent his summer conducting research at NASA’s Langley Research Center (LaRC) in Hampton, Virginia. He was one of 250 interns selected from NASA Langley’s applicant pool of about 10,000 students. Under the Advanced Materials and Processing Branch, Palanca assisted in creating a 3D printing apparatus for use with carbon nanomaterials, the work around which involved mechanical, electrical, and firmware design.

“This opportunity gave me the exposure into the research and development environment that I needed to understand exactly where I want to go with my career,” Palanca said. “I hope my experience convinces other UOG students that they should not be afraid to dream bigger and shoot for more ambitious opportunities.”

Having begun his research experience through his previous fellowship with the Hawaii Space Grant Consortium, Tristan says his experience at NASA Langley convinced him that anything is possible with determination and the right mindset.

NASA Guam Space Grant | About