Special Initiatives Award Recipients

Each year, the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium awards a number of Special Initiatives grants to any established organization including, but not limited to: schools (K-12 and higher education), aerospace industries, and non-profit aerospace associations. The WSGC Special Initiatives Program rewards projects which are intended to encourage, attract, and retain underrepresented groups, especially women, minorities and the developmentally challenged, in careers in space- or aerospace-related fields. WSGC is pleased to announce and congratulate the following recipients of this year's Special Initiatives Awards:

2008-2009

Barbara Bielec
BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute, Madison
Research Title: A Celebration of Life XIII: Environment: Elementary School
Synopsis: Elementary School students will experience hands-on experience in environmental science, including relevant NASA projects.

Barbara Bielec
BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute, Madison
Research Title: A Celebration of Life XIII: Environment: Middle School
Synopsis: Middle School students will experience hands-on experience in environmental science, relating relevant NASA projects.

James Kramer
Simpson Street Free Press, Inc., Monona
Research Title:  Young Simpson Street Free Press Journalists Write about Space Science and Careers
Synopsis:  Student reporters at Simpson Street Free Press will draw their peers into science learning by researching, writing, and publishing print and web-based articles about Space Science and related careers.

Loretta Krenitsky
Milwaukee School of Engineering, Milwaukee
Research Title: All Girls Aviation Day
Synopsis:  Introducing high school females to aerospace fields will broaden horizons, encourage study in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields and provide information about career opportunities in the aerospace world.

Elissa Lines
Experimental Aircraft Association, Inc., Oshkosh
Research Title:  Space Week
Synopsis:  The Experimental Aircraft Association, Inc. (EAA) enhances its successful Space Discovery Week, a school- and community-focused experiential program, through an exciting new partnership with Space Explorers, Inc. Space Discovery Week has traditionally included hands-on, aviation-related programming designed to encourage school participation and to offer key new educational challenges. The collaboration with Space Explorers, Inc., an organization devoted to bringing the excitement and challenges of space exploration into classrooms by connecting teachers and students to the excitement of space exploration through innovative educational curricula, will enrich the Space Discovery Week experience with the addition of the Mars Explorer Simulation program.

The Mars Explorer Simulation will allow students to drive their own Mars Exploration Rover over a 3D virtual Mars-scape where they will examine the possibilities of sustaining life on the Red Planet by taking multi-spectral images, analyzing the magnetic field, and taking measurements of Rocks and soil samples using a variety of instruments, and more. This Space Discovery Week component will also provide educators with an opportunity to utilize this program in the classroom for a full one-year period, while students will be able to access the program from any computer with an internet connection.

2007-2008

Barbara Bielec
BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute, Madison
Research Title: African American Ethnic Academy/BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute Science Saturdays
Synopsis: A partnership between the BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute and the African American Ethnic Academy supports the continued development of African American and other students’ interest in science, including space-related science and technology, providing them with the tools for success in school.  A long-term goal continues to be increasing the number of underrepresented students who enroll in and successfully complete high school science courses, and who may eventually choose to pursue scientific careers, including those in space-related science and technology.  To be offered in academic year 2007-2008, four “Science Saturdays” will be designed for kindergarten through eighth grade students.  Hands-on activities, in classroom and laboratory settings, are designed to engage students’ interest, enhancing their understanding of key science concepts, including those integral to space-related science.  Contributions made by African American scientists and engineers will be highlighted.  Special efforts will be made to include guest speakers who are African American scientists and engineers.

Jack Blake
Brookwood Middle School, Genoa City
Research Title: Young Women and Aerospace: A Passport to Learning II
Synopsis: This program will continue to engage and promote young women in the field of aerospace.  The interdisciplinary approach of science and math through educational concepts and technology will stimulate a young woman’s motivation to achieve and grow in the world of aerospace.

Corey Jackson
Jackson Practitioner Group, Inc, Milwaukee
Research Title: “Investing in the Future” Career Awareness Project
Synopsis: This project introduces students completing grades five through eight to transportation-related careers and disciplines.  The curriculum, which meets national math and science standards, is comprised of simulations, interactions with industry professionals, and site visits to industry specific locales.  Donations of funds, time and energy, resources and materials allows the program to offer scholarships to an ethnic mix of boys and girls from rural and urban communities.  A goal of the program is to expose youth to transportation-related careers and disciplines.  A second goal is to teach the educational and physical aptitudes necessary to obtain employment in a transportation-related career or discipline.  Since inception in 1999, a minimum of 100 students have participated each year.

Steven Lewis
Kettle Moraine High School, Wales
Research Title: Aerospace Opportunities for Female Students
Synopsis: The course focuses on astronomy as well as the space program’s role in the development of technology for the general public.  Aerospace engineering will be emphasized; career opportunities for students within the field will continue to be explored and developed.

Susannah Sandrin
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Research Title: Astronomy Is for Girls Too!
Synopsis: Girls will participate in space-science related activities, attend planetarium shows, learn about NASA initiatives, and meet with positive female scientist role models on the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh campus.  This program will serve middle school girls from rural school districts.

Paul Smith
Alverno College, Milwaukee
Research Title: Student High Power Rocket Flight with Radio Tracking
Synopsis: The project will involve students in the design, construction, and launch of a high power rocket carrying a radio beacon.  The activities of this project will require students to learn about the use of radio direction finding (RDF), including how to establish contact between a beacon and a receiver, use of beam (directional) antennas for radio direction finding, and FCC rules regulating the use of amateur band radio transmissions

Eric Wilcots
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Research Title: Astronomy after School at UW Space Place
Synopsis: This after-school program is designed to give children from under-represented ethnic and socio-economic groups exposure to astronomy and science in general in a fun and stimulating environment.  It aims to foster in them a sense of enthusiasm and ownership of scientific culture through mentorship by student members of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Astronomy Department.  Through this program, both undergraduate and graduate students will gain experience in informal science education and an opportunity to make contact with audiences very different from campus groups.  The program will draw its participants from two local Boys & Girls Club locations and will be held at the UW Space Place.

2006-2007

2005-2006

Bloor, Ann
MSOE
Major/Title:  Engineering Fly In

Bogdan, Michael
Gateway Technical College
Major/Title:  Summer Aviation Academy

Jackson, Corey
Jackson Practitioner Group
Major/Title:  "Investing in the Future" Career Awareness Project

Sandrin, Susannah
UW-Oshkosh
Major/Title:  Astronomy is for Girls Too

Senson, Benjamin
Memorial High School
Major/Title:  PROBE Space Mission Camp Development Project

2004-2005 Special Initiatives Award Recipients

Borgh, Karin
BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute (BTCI)
Project:  A Celebration of Life IX: Star Qualities
Synopsis:  A partnership between the BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute and the African American Ethnic Academy, "A Celebration of Life: Star Qualities" supports the continued development of African American and other students' interest in science, providing them with the tools for success in school.

Herman, Tim M.
Milwaukee School of Engineering
Project:  Engaging Students in the Science of Sustainable Agriculture
Synopsis:  The goal of this project is to engage high school students in a hands-on, inquiry-driven exploration of the science behind sustainable food systems in order to increase the retention of minority and female students in AP science courses.

Rakowski, Diane/Gliniecki, Jenny
Alexander Mitchell Integrated Arts School
Project:  Secure Your Place in Space, Launch a Career for the Future
Synopsis:  "Secure Your Place in Space, Launch a Career for the Future" is a project designed to promote career awareness, encourage math, science, and technology so underrepresented groups can make informed career choices and have access to people who are working in areas of interest to them.

Sandrin, Susannah K./Van Camp, Sarah Rose
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (with Kewaunee School District)
Project:  Expanding Frontiers: Development of Educational Opportunities in Space
Synopsis:  The proposed project, an initial collaboration between the UW Oshkosh Science Outreach Program and Kewaunee Elementary School in northeastern Wisconsin, will provide educational opportunities for cognitively disabled elementary students in the fields of Astronomy and Space Science.

Siudzinski, Lee John
Experimental Aircraft Association
Project:  "Web-Flight" Scholarship Program
Synopsis:  "Web-Flight" provides Beloit & Milwaukee students with scholarships for a web-based, yearlong, accredited, aviation-centered course developed by the EAA to bring engaging, hands-on science, math, engineering, and technology content to students in a flexible, accessible format.

Valley, Karen L.
Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Project:  Career Awareness Project - Transportation Careers

2003-2004 Special Initiatives Award Recipients

2002-2003 Special Initiatives Award Recipients

2001-2002 Special Initiatives Award Recipients

2000-2001 Special Initiatives Award Recipients

1999-2000 Special Initiatives Award Recipients