SAVE NSIP

The NASA Student Involvement Program, NSIP, is at risk of losing its funding and a grassroots effort is being made to help congressional members and NASA administrators understand its importance to educators, students, and parents. For over a quarter century, NASA has opened its doors to educating students from the early days of Skylab through to the Space Shuttle. The early program had different names, the most remembered may be SSIP or Space Shuttle Student Involvement Program or Space Science Student Involvement Program. But the goal has always been the same – to involve and inspire students to achieve in math, science, and technology.

Some may recall that math and science were not the limiting factors for NSIP either, some early competitions included art, while today’s NSIP includes a journalism component. Also, in the past NSIP has encouraged the involvement of many of NASAs centers on a national level in an effort to try to draw students from all over the country.

We know that for many of you NSIP has been meaningful and memorable. So, now is the time to share your stories and to encourage present as well as past parents, students, and teachers to write or talk to anyone who can encourage the funding of NSIP to be extended and increased.

In order for this effort to work, we need everyone to personally send a letter, talk to, or call their state’s congressional senators and representatives now, before it’s too late. This effort also encourages you to contact key NASA administrators to be made aware of the positive impact NSIP has had. A letter templet is included to help you begin. Please use it and/or write your own.

NOW is the time to tell your personal story about NSIP and to encourage others to do so as well. We must move quickly and intensely. PLEASE HELP TO SAVE NSIP!