NASA and the Foothill-De Anza Community College District have signed a planning agreement to develop an academic center for college students interested in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and education. The plan includes offering academic programs to prepare students for information technology, astrobiology and the life sciences, engineering, mathematics and physical sciences. Once organized, the facility will be housed at NASA Research Park at Moffett Field in Mountain View.

"By collaborating with NASA and other partners of the NASA Research Park, we are excited to plan for a new vision of higher education in Silicon Valley," says Foothill College President Bernadine Chuck Fong, Ph.D.

Located on 213 acres, NASA Research Park is envisioned as a world-class, shared-use research and development campus in association with academia, industry and non-profit organizations.

"Even though we are experiencing extraordinarily difficult economic times, we must look to the future," says Dr. Lois A. Callahan, interim chancellor of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District. "Working with NASA to plan a first-class educational center at the NASA Research Park will move us forward as our economy recovers," she said.

"This agreement will bring community college students in high-tech career paths to classrooms and labs onsite at NASA Ames," says Dr. Adena Loston, associate administrator for education at NASA Headquarters." This partnership advances the goal of the new NASA Education Enterprise, to inspire more students to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics, with the ultimate goal of having them choose careers in aeronautics and space at NASA. This next generation of explorers will learn what it takes to develop the technologies of tomorrow, through unique teaching and lab experiences, provided as only NASA can."

"We look forward to working with Foothill-De Anza as they embark on this exciting project," says G. Scott Hubbard, director of NASA Ames Research Center. "NASA is committed to working hand in hand with teachers and academic institutions to enhance educational opportunities and programs, to provide access to unique NASA products, learning materials, facilities and researchers, and to inspire the next generation. The new center is an excellent way for us to work collaboratively to accomplish these important goals.

For more information about NASA Research Park, click here.