NASA is seeking proposals to establish two new SEMAA sites. Established in 1993, the Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy is an innovative, pre-college project designed to increase participation and retention of historically underrepresented youth (grades K-12) in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM. The project currently serves over 50,000 students, parents and teachers annually at 15 locations nationwide. You can learn more about SEMAA by going to the website at www.nasa.gov/education/semaa.

Through this new RFP, NASA is seeking to partner with two- and four-year institutions, specifically Historically Black Colleges and Universities, or HBCU; Hispanic Serving Institutions, or HIS; Tribal Colleges and Universities, or TCU; and Other Minority Universities, or OMU, to expand and replicate the SEMAA project to include two �additional sites. Interested institutions responding to the RFP are encouraged to partner with local school systems to introduce underserved minority students and their families to the project.

A downloadable version of the Official SEMAA RFP can be found on the NASA portal by accessing www.nasa.gov/education/semaa. A hard copy of the RFP can be requested through the National SEMAA Office. Please note that there is a quick turn-around time to submit proposals. Questions about the RFP should be submitted by 4 p.m. EDT on Aug. 10, 2010, to Paragon TEC via e-mail to nasasemaa@paragon-tec.com or by fax at 216-361-9595, Attention Janice Costaras.

This year�s proposals are due to the National SEMAA Office by 4 p.m. EDT onSept. 3, 2010