National Defense Education Program (NDEP)
Abstract
The purpose of National Defense Education Program (NDEP) is to inspire, develop, and attract the current and next generations of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) talent essential to deliver innovative solutions for DoD and the Nation’s current and future challenges. NDEP is aligned with the DoD-wide STEM Education and Outreach Strategic Plan. A major goal of NDEP is to develop a continuum of high quality STEM experiential, service-wide, engagements for K-12 students through early career world-class researchers that directly involve DoD SMEs. NDEP is designed to address current and projected national and DoD STEM talent needs, strengthen scientific and technological capabilities including current warfighting systems and military personnel needs, and enhance the quality of DoD's workforce. NDEP consists of three components: a) K-12, b) Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART), and c) the National Security Science and Engineering Faculty Fellowship (NSSEFF). The K–12 component links DoD scientists and engineers with students and teachers and supports national competitions to create locally-based, content-rich environments and robust learning opportunities for students and teachers with an understanding of the real-world application of STEM skills. In 2010, 1,750 DoD scientists and engineers from more than 48 DoD laboratories in 26 states engaged more than 180,000 students and 8,000 teachers in outreach and informal education initiatives. SMART awards highly competitive scholarships to STEM undergraduate and graduate students and moves them directly into DoD's workforce upon their graduation. Since 2006, SMART has supported more than 850 students from bachelor to Ph.D. levels, and nearly 300 have transitioned into the DoD workforce. NSSEFF creates and develops the current and next generation of scientists and engineers for national security by supporting innovative basic science and engineering research within academia. Undergraduate through post-doctoral students at academic institutions work with world-class scientists and engineers referred to as NSSEFF Fellows. Since 2008, 29 distinguished university researchers have been awarded NSSEFF grants that have resulted in teams of more than 150 students, postdoctoral scholars and faculty.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2012
- Source ID
- P120_0601120D8Z_1_0400_PB_2012
Related Documents
- Root: National Defense Education Program (NDEP)
- Child Accomplishment: Science, Mathematics And Research for Transformation (SMART) Defense Education Program
- Child Accomplishment: National Security Science and Engineering Faculty Fellowship (NSSEFF)
- Child Accomplishment: K-12