NASA’s New SOLAR System Helping students launch their future with NASA

1. NASA’s New SOLAR SystemHelping students launch their future with NASA Student On-Line Application for Recruiting Interns, Fellows and Scholars A Component of NASA’s One Stop Shopping Initiative An initiative of NASA’s Office of Education

2. 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 Matthews Higher Education Manager NASA Office of Education

3. Project Objectives NASA’s Education Goals Outlined in the NASA Strategic Plan OSSI Objectives Functional Objective 1: Provide a single point-of-entry for students seeking NASA internships, fellowships and scholarships Strategic Goal 1: Strengthening NASA and the Nation’s future workforce Functional Objective 2: Enhance national branding of NASA’s internship/fellowship opportunities 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 Strategic Goal 2: Attracting and retaining students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines 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 Functional Objective 6: Increase the workforce pipeline of former NASA interns/fellows [Re-entry] 3

4. Project Description Student On-Line Application for Recruiting (SOLAR) Interns, Fellows, and Scholars 4

5. Functional Concept of Operations Center Ed Office &Funding Source Managers/ Coordinators Broker-Facilitators HQOffice of Education Students Mentors Submit evaluation of student intern Obtain metrics on applicants, eligibility, and selection to ensure coverage of institutions Report data to OMB, White House Initiative, Congress, and other stakeholders Obtain metrics on applicants, eligibility, and selection Provide feedback Encourage students to stay in NASA pipeline through re-entry process Encourage students to stay in NASA pipeline through re-entry process Encourage students to stay in NASA pipeline through re-entry process Accept or reject offer Automaticallyobtain metrics on interns and fellowsfrom system Receive notification of student selection and acceptance Provide notification of acceptance or extend offer to another candidate Receive offer letter Host NASA-wide Higher Ed virtual community awareness training & leadership development sessions Receive status on selection process Receive status update on application & info on recent NASA news Extend offerto student Re-entry Evaluate and select one of mentor’s top candidates with Center panel Re-entry Assist students with navigating application process Evaluate and rank top three to fiveeligible students for specific opportunity View & apply for opportunities Ensure eligibility for specific opportunity Re-entry Recruit students from all types of Higher Ed Institutions (PWI, PBI, HSI, and TCUs) Complete application process Finalize requirements and post opportunities Finalize requirements for opportunities Initiate application for internship/fellowship Collaborate with institutions (counselors, faculty & deans), Professional Advocacy Orgs, & NASA, Academia & Industry stakeholders Solicit opportunities Submit opportunity requirements Respond to inquiries from the public or forward to Business Mgr for response Access all NASA undergrad, grad & Bridge opportunities through one website START START START START START Business Manager – Facilitates the processes involved in transitioning students from the application submission to longitudinal follow up. 5

6. Current Challenges of Recruiting and Selecting Students

7. Key Features of SOLAR

8. 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

9. 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