Senate Resolution No. 493

BY: Senator COMRIE

COMMEMORATING the NASA MAA: K1-9 STEM Education
Project at York College in New York City

WHEREAS, New York State's commitment to education is unparalleled;
its history and stature are secured by the superlative caliber of its
educational professionals and the students they inspire; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those institutions of true purpose and high achievement whose
exemplary programs and accomplishment clearly demonstrate an enduring
pursuit of excellence in the education of the youth of the Empire State;
and

WHEREAS, The NASA MAA: K1-9 STEM Education Project The MUREP
(Minority University Research and Education Project) Aerospace Academy
made its debut at York College for the first time on October 17, 2015;
and

WHEREAS, In 2016, York College became one of the nine new NASA STEM
Education sites selected through a rigorous and open competition
nationally; the predecessor to the NASA MAA was the NASA Science,
Engineering, Mathematics, and Aerospace Academy (SEMAA), which began in
1993, as a partnership between NASA Glenn Research Center and Cuyahoga
Community College, in Cleveland, Ohio; and

WHEREAS, The York College site was one of the oldest and has offered
the SEMAA Program to the community since 1999; through SEMAA, and
current MAA Program, more than 20,000 students have participated in this
innovative educational initiative; and

WHEREAS, In 2016, the NASA MAA program served over 1,950 direct
participants, and reached out to more than 1,750 indirect participants
as part of its vigorous outreach activities via hosting NASA MAA STEM
events including community science fair, open houses, bringing Starlab
to the community schools, back to school day, and summer camp, as well
as 4-H Club; and

WHEREAS, Recognizing the need to increase the number of American
youth who have an effective, authentic STEM experience each year prior
to completing high school, and the need for NASA to do an internal
consolidation, SEMAA was incorporated into MUREP, thus creating
additional funding and learning opportunities to attract and retain
underserved and underrepresented youth in grades Kindergarten-12; and

WHEREAS, NASA MAA advances student development through activity
components which are fully integrated to form a comprehensive support
system; through its components, MAAs delivers Curriculum Enhancement
Activities (CEA), hands-on curriculum activities relevant to NASA
missions, an Aerospace Education Laboratory (AEL), and an innovative
Family Cafe; and

WHEREAS, The MUREP Aerospace Academy (MAA) hopes to improve STEM
literacy by engaging Kindergarten-12 students, family members, and

teachers through the integration of emerging technologies, and to
educate students utilizing a STEM curriculum that meets national
science, technology, engineering and mathematics standards aligned to
NASAs mission directorates; and

WHEREAS, The MAA awards are already making impacts enabling York
College to increase the number of historically underserved and
underrepresented students interested in NASA specific STEM careers;
provide skills to parents/caregivers to work with and encourage their
children in STEM activities and programs; involve community groups,
business, industry, museums, educational and professional organizations
through mentoring, field trips, guest speakers, and other MAA
activities; and engage students in participatory activities such as
hands-on-learning, research, use of advanced technology, peer support
groups, as well as mentor relationships with professionals working in
the STEM fields; and

WHEREAS, Within the 21st Century, the NASA MAA: K1-9 STEM Education
Project at York College stands prepared to reach out, in earnest and
enthusiastic quest of its mission, to promote the maximum growth of
every student, establishing standards and building skills which will
carry its students and the citizens of its community into the future;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the NASA MAA: K1-9 STEM Education Project at York College,
noting the significance of its accomplishments and recognizing the role
such effective schools play in shaping the quality of life in their
community, State and Nation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the NASA MAA: K1-9 STEM Education Project at York
College.