WASHINGTON (NNPA) --The National Aeronautics
and Space Administration (NASA) has been expressing interest in minorities
by investing their time, money and resources into minority communities
in order to bridge the gap in the digital divide.
NASA's examples of its commitment included
an astronaut Internet chat, a grant to Hampton University, U.S. Air Force
flight training for people of color and a new laboratory at a predominately
Black college.
In conjunction with the Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD), NASA on May 24 held a special discussion over
the Internet between children living in HUD assisted housing and the space
shuttle Atlantis.
The discussion was an attempt to breed
inspiration in the less fortunate youths. This was the first in what will
hopefully become a series of regular chat sessions between these children
and with other NASA engineers and scientists.
In addition, NASA has also joined forces
with the US Air Force to fund flight training for minority Air Force Reserved
Officers Training Corps Candidates. NASA's Office of Safety and Mission
Assurance will fund one of two three-week flight-training programs for
18 Air Force Cadets who plan to pursue engineering, mathematics, and science
degrees. Cadets who complete this training period will receive solo wings--meaning
they have met the Federal Aviation Administration's solo requirements for
flying a single engine aircraft.
NASA and the French government have contributed
a $173 million grant to Hampton University to launch three weather satellites.
The satellites would obtain data to aid scientists in more accurately predicting
the planets and climate.
U.S. Rep. Major R. Owens (D-N.Y.) assisted
NASA in opening an aeronautics laboratory on the campus of the Medgar Evers
College in Brooklyn, N.Y. on May 22. NASA's Office of Equal Opportunity
Programs provided the school with a $200,000 grant for the partnership
to establish the New Major Owens Aeronautics Education laboratory (AEL).
The laboratory features the latest in computer hardware and software placed
in the hands of students in college and pre-college programs.
"This laboratory will encourage our community
partners and students to study in fields that lead to careers in aeronautics
and aviation, fields where minorities have been under represented," said
Medgar Evers College President Edison O. Jackson.