ERIC ED615705: Driving Innovation through Diversity and Inclusion at NASA: STEM Internships and Vocational Rehabilitation Partnership. Policy in Action Brief

1.3 MB·English

by  ERIC

POLICY IN ACTION BRIEF
Vocational Rehabilitation Youth
Technical Assistance Center
DRIVING INNOVATION THROUGH
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AT NASA
STEM INTERNSHIPS AND VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PARTNERSHIPS
By Dave Brewer and Jennifer D. Clayton
INTRODUCTION

As a Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) counselor, million gallon, zero-gravity simulator used
with funding support from the Workforce to train astronauts for spacewalks (Office of
Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), it’s Diversity and Equal Opportunity, 2018).
important to know the essential components
NBL diver, Emily, explained how these
of a high-quality, inclusive internship
simulations promote mission successes in
program. As companies and organizations
outer space:
create more inclusive internship programs,
VR must evaluate the accessibility of these
Today we have two astronaut
programs, both physically and operationally.
candidates in the water and the
For over 50 years, NASA has provided
reason they train here is to familiarize
internship programs, engaging high
themselves with how the suit feels in a
school and college students with diverse
zero-gravity environment. Obviously,
abilities, backgrounds, and talents. This
we still have some gravity here on Earth
brief, along with the three corresponding
and in the pool, but it’s a really close
videos, highlights NASA’s high-quality,
comparison, the closest we have to
inclusive internship programs and its
what it feels like to be in space. The
partnership with VR in Texas. The brief also
astronauts’ trainers are in there and you
includes information and resources for VR
can hear them over the communications
professionals on how to recognize a high-
loop. (Insights International Inc.,
quality, inclusive internship program, and
Partnering to build diversity, 2019b)
how to encourage an employer to create
a more accessible internship program for Throughout the day, students interacted
youth and young adults with disabilities. with NASA staff and interns, participated in
hands-on science, technology, engineering,
NASA STEM ENGAGEMENT
and mathematics (STEM) activities, and
On December 6, 2018, a group of high experimented with NASA hardware and
school students toured the Neutral software. Students also learned about
Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) at NASA’s NASA’s inclusive internships, Schedule
Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, A hiring, and employee resource groups
Texas. The NBL contains the world’s largest (Insights International Inc., Partnering to
indoor pool (National Aeronautics and build diversity, 2019b).
Space Administration [NASA], n.d.-b), a 6.2
JANUARY 2020
The student tour and info session The tools and assistive technology that Tracy
was a collaborative effort between received helped improve his productivity.
Texas Workforce Solutions Vocational Inspired by his experience and wanting to
Rehabilitation Services (TWSVRS) and give back, he has been partnering with and
NASA’s JSC. Representatives from NASA’s providing outreach through TWSVRS for over
High School Aerospace Scholars program, 20 years (Insights International Inc., Finding
NASA’s Pathways Program, and JSC’s No and hiring problem-solvers, 2019a).
Boundaries Employee Resource Group
Tracy works closely with JSC’s Disability
also spoke at the event (Office of Diversity
Program Manager (DPM), Tu-Quynh
and Equal Opportunity, 2018). Partnerships
Bui. As the DPM, Tu-Quynh manages
between these groups help JSC develop
JSC’s Schedule A hiring process for
an inclusive talent pipeline of qualified
individuals with disabilities, helps interns
candidates, and help TWSVRS connect
and employees through the reasonable
students and youth with disabilities to work-
accommodations process, and provides
based learning experiences and potential
accessibility training and technical assistance
employment opportunities.
to JSC managers and employees. She sends
JSC PARTNERSHIPS WITH every JSC job opening to TWSVRS and
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION helps coordinate events like the NBL tour
SERVICES and job fairs with the TWSVRS Business
Relations unit (T. Bui, personal conversation,
Tracy Minish, JSC’s Mission Control Center
September 6, 2018).
Operations Manager, co-leads the No
Boundaries Employee Resource Group and is The TWSVRS Business Relations unit
legally blind. His involvement with TWSVRS provides customized technical assistance
began when he needed tools to help him and consultative services to employers
with reasonable accommodations at work. regarding disability awareness and
2 VR YOUTH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER DRIVING INNOVATION THROUGH DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AT NASA
education, worksite and job process
assessments, hiring and retention assistance,
and assistance with federal requirements At NASA, “Diversity and
and incentives (Texas Workforce Solutions, inclusion drive workplace
2018). Kimberly King, VR Business Relations
creativity, innovation, and
Coordinator (personal conversation,
mission success.”
December 6, 2018), says that partnerships
and events with employers like NASA
help raise awareness of what’s possible for
students with disabilities:
By having our students come in and All but one of the so-called Gallaudet 11
listen to a young lady who is in the had lost their hearing at an early age due
internship program, it allows them to to spinal meningitis (making them immune
see what’s possible. Not every student to motion sickness), so their participation
will be involved in a NASA internship was key to understanding how the human
but perhaps one day what this will lead body responds to being in a zero-gravity
to is the love of science and maybe a environment (Jones, 2018):
different career field.
Some of the tests the Gallaudet 11
According to NASA’s Careers webpage participated in included rides aboard
(2019a), NASA consists of “scientists, the notorious “Vomit Comet” aircraft,
engineers, IT specialists, human resources spending 12 days straight inside a 20-
specialists, accountants, writers, technicians foot slow-rotation room and a trip to
and many other kinds of people working Nova Scotia in a round-bottom boat
together to break barriers to achieve the during a very intense storm, where the
seemingly impossible” (para.1). To this hearing members of the experiment
end, JSC relies on partnerships and events became so ill they were not able to
with organizations like TWSVRS to nurture complete the experiment. (Jones, 2018,
and identify highly qualified candidates para. 4)
with diverse backgrounds and skill sets to
The contributions of the Gallaudet 11
advance NASA’s mission.
informed designs that would enable the
DEVELOPING A TALENT PIPELINE first Americans to go to space and that are
AT NASA still being used today, nearly 60 years later
(Jones, 2018).
At NASA, “Diversity and inclusion drive
workplace creativity, innovation, and In the Gallaudet 11 example, diversity
mission success” (Office of Diversity and of human experience drove innovation.
Equal Opportunity, 2018, para. 6). In the Now, NASA drives innovation through a
1960s, when John F. Kennedy announced a talent pipeline that supports and values
national goal of landing a man on the moon diversity of thought, including the thoughts
by the end of the decade, NASA teamed of individuals with disabilities. NASA
up with the U.S. Naval School of Aviation recruits and supports employees with
Medicine and 11 men from Gallaudet disabilities through inclusive student and
College (now University) to study the effects youth internships, Schedule A hiring, and
of gravitational changes on the human body employee resource groups.
(Jones, 2018).
VR YOUTH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER DRIVING INNOVATION THROUGH DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AT NASA 3
INCLUSIVE INTERNSHIPS AT NASA Aerospace Scholars program: the Middle
School Aerospace Scholars (MAS) program,
Amy Quartaro, a former NASA intern, spoke
the High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS)
at the NBL student tour and info session.
program, and the NASA Community College
Amy became legally deaf in 2014. Her
Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) program (NASA,
passion for robots led to her participation
n.d.-a). During the school year, students in
in the For Inspiration and Recognition of
the HAS program complete an online course
Science and Technology (FIRST®) robotics
with interactive lessons on NASA activities
program. Today, Amy serves as a FIRST
related to Space Exploration, Earth Science,
program mentor (NASA, 2017). Amy’s career
Technology, Mathematics, and Aeronautics.
exploration with FIRST led to her interest in
They also complete design challenges and
building career development skills at NASA.
hold virtual chats with NASA engineers
and scientists. The program culminates in
K-12 STEM ENGAGEMENT
a six-day residential summer experience at
FIRST (see Figure 1 on page 5) is a not-
NASA’s JSC. In 2019, selected participants
for-profit that builds STEM skills and 21st
worked with NASA scientists and engineers
century work and life skills such as self-
to plan a mission to Mars (NASA, n.d.-d).
confidence, communication, and leadership
through accessible, mentor-based STEM Trinesha Dixon is the Activity Lead for STEM
engagement programs (FIRST, n.d.-b). FIRST engagement activities at JSC’s Office of
has four programs available to students in STEM Engagement. She works with NASA’s
grades K-12 (FIRST, n.d.-a). mission directors, as well as secondary and
postsecondary schools, to identify
opportunities for students to use STEM to
NASA AEROSPACE SCHOLARS
solve real-world aerospace problems. For
In her junior year of high school, Amy
example, last year, students from NCAS
participated in the NASA Aerospace
designed a zip tie cutter for use in the
Scholars program (NASA, 2017). There are
International Space Station.
three entryways for students in the NASA
4 VR YOUTH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER DRIVING INNOVATION THROUGH DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AT NASA
Figure 1. FIRST® STEM engagement programs for grades K-12 and ages 6-18 (developed
from information available online at https://www.firstinspires.org).
Program Grades Ages Description Mentors
FIRST® LEGO® K-4 6-10 Teams of up to six students Adult coaches
League Jr. explore a real-world scientific provide
concept, build a motorized guidance and
model, and develop a poster inspiration.
to illustrate their journey of
discovery.
FIRST® LEGO® 4-8 9-14 Teams of up to 10 students Adult coaches
League design, build, and program provide
robots to perform autonomous guidance.
missions on a playing field.
FIRST® Tech 7-12 12-18 Teams of 10 or more students Adult mentors
Challenge design, build, program, and and coaches
operate robots to play a floor provide
game against other teams. guidance.
Scholarship opportunities are
available to participants.
FIRST® 9-12 14-18 Under strict rules, teams of 25 Volunteer
Robotics or more students build and mentors include
Competition program robots to perform engineers,
challenging tasks against a teachers,
field of competitors. They business
must also raise funds, design professionals,
a team brand, hone teamwork parents, and
skills, and perform community alumni.
outreach. Scholarship
opportunities are available to
participants.
VR YOUTH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER DRIVING INNOVATION THROUGH DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AT NASA 5
NASA INTERNSHIPS The practical demonstrations using
TALISMAN and other robotic
There are many possible entry points into
technologies were definitely a high
a STEM-related career pathway. NASA’s
point. While it was happening, I was
Office of Education offers internship,
the only person allowed on the floor
fellowship, and scholarship opportunities
to do the supervision checks of all our
for high school, undergraduate, or graduate
autonomy points. Beyond that area was
students and educators (NASA, 2019c).
a sizeable audience, all watching… and
NASA internships are an integral part of
I was alone on the floor, staring at my
NASA’s talent pipeline strategy. Interns are
robot! It was surreal and exhilarating.
matched with career professionals who serve
(NASA, 2017, para. 11)
as mentors on projects that contribute to
the operation of a NASA facility and/or the
NASA PATHWAYS PROGRAM
advancement of a NASA mission
Now, Amy is a NASA Pathways intern.
(NASA, 2019b).
NASA’s Pathways Program (see Figure 2 on
Amy Quartaro obtained a NASA engineering page 7) is another career pathway to federal
internship in her junior year at the University employment. NASA develops and recruits
of Texas at Austin. During her internship, she talent through three pipelines within the
helped design and manufacture parts for Pathways Program: the NASA Pathways
rapid prototyping of robotic hardware and Intern Employment Program (IEP), the
software at NASA’s Langley Research Center NASA Pathways Recent Graduates Program
in Hampton, Virginia (NASA, 2017). There (RGP), and the NASA Pathways Presidential
she worked with commercial researchers Management Fellows (PMF) Program. Those
conducting risk reduction studies for the In- who successfully complete a Pathways
Space Robotic Manufacturing and Assembly intern appointment may be converted to
(IRMA) project (NASA, 2017). This will permanent employment with NASA or
enable more frequent science and discovery term employment of up to six years (NASA,
missions in Earth’s orbit, across the solar 2019c).
system, and beyond (NASA, 2018b).
The NASA Pathways IEP is open to students
Amy also worked on the Commercial and individuals accepted for enrollment
Infrastructure for Robotic Assembly and in qualifying educational programs. IEP
Servicing (CIRAS) project, which uses robots interns may be appointed to work and
such as NASA’s Tension Actuated Long- explore NASA careers for indefinite periods
reach In-Space Manipulator (TALISMAN) to without established ending dates or for
assemble flight hardware in space (National durations of up to one year. The NASA
Aeronautics and Space Administration, Pathways RGP is a dynamic, year-long career
2017). Projects like CIRAS are expected development program for individuals who
to reduce the costs and potential have recently graduated from qualifying
human hazards associated with in-space educational institutions. The NASA Pathways
manufacturing and assembly traditionally PMF program provides employment
done by astronauts during spacewalks opportunities for individuals who have
(NASA, 2017). For Amy, the TALISMAN received qualifying master’s, doctorate, or
demonstration was her most memorable professional degrees within the last two
moment during her time at Langley years (NASA, 2019c).
(NASA, 2017).
6 VR YOUTH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER DRIVING INNOVATION THROUGH DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AT NASA
Figure 2. NASA Pathways programs for students, recent graduates, and professionals
(developed from information available online at https://www.nasa.gov/careers/pathways-
program and https://www.pmf.gov/become-a-pmf/overview.aspx).
Program Eligibility Duration Description
NASA U.S. citizens, aged 16 or Indefinite, or Current students and
Pathways Intern older, who are enrolled or up to one year individuals accepted for
Employment accepted for enrollment on enrollment in qualifying
Program (IEP) at least a half-time basis, educational programs
are pursuing a degree or complete 640 hours of
certificate, have a 2.9 grade work and explore NASA
point average (GPA), and are careers while still in
able to complete 640 hours school.
of work prior to completing
degree/certificate
requirements; some positions
require the student to be
pursuing specific majors.
NASA Pathways U.S. citizens within two years One year Individuals who have
Recent Graduate of completing a degree or recently graduated from
Program (RGP) certificate at a qualifying qualifying educational
educational institution, or institutions participate
veterans within two years in a dynamic career
after release or discharge development program
from active duty, up to six at the beginning of their
years after earning a degree careers.
or certificate at a qualifying
educational institution.
NASA Pathways Individuals who have Two years Participants work in
Presidential received a qualifying 1-2 federal agencies
Management master’s, doctorate, or in a leadership
Fellows (PMF) professional degree within development program
Program the last two years. that includes 160 hours
of formal interactive
training on leadership,
management, policy,
and other topics,
and a 4-6 month
developmental
assignment.
VR YOUTH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER DRIVING INNOVATION THROUGH DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AT NASA 7
According to Jonathan Abary, Pathways NASA’s Pathways interns, also called
Program Manager at JSC, the Pathways Pathways co-ops, are paid employees
intern program is JSC’s primary mechanism (Insights International Inc., Finding and
for full-time, entry-level hiring. About 50% of hiring problem-solvers, 2019a). The
JSC’s annual hiring comes from the Pathways internship also counts toward the intern/
intern program. Over 95% of internship employee’s years of service and retirement
completers are offered a position with JSC, (T. Minish, personal communication,
and 95% of these offers are accepted. To December 7, 2018), and it accommodates
Abary, “It really has proven to be a valuable interns’ academic schedules. Amy Quartaro
design in the way that we’ve structured our is considered a full-time NASA employee,
hiring strategy for the entry level that is but her work schedule alternates with her
providing us access to the next generation school schedule. Within a co-op rotation,
of talent” (Insights International Inc., she attends school for six months, and
Partnering to build diversity, 2019b). works at JSC for six months. With only two
semesters to her Bachelor’s in Aerospace
Jonathan Abary manages the Pathways
Engineering, Amy was on her third Pathways
internship program’s recruitment, selection,
co-op rotation (Insights International Inc.,
supervision, mentoring, and evaluation
Amy’s internship, 2019c).
processes. He also visits college campuses

to partner with schools and recruit students.
JSC interns are matched with an internship
Additionally, former interns run a committee
supervisor based on their interests and skill
called NASA On Campus, allowing them
sets, as well as the business needs of JSC.
to speak to students and potential interns
Interns select the projects they want to
about internship opportunities with NASA (J.
work on, and their supervisors direct and
Abary, personal communication, December
supervise their work. In JSC’s Advanced
4, 2018).
8 VR YOUTH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER DRIVING INNOVATION THROUGH DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AT NASA
Exercise Development Lab, Amy and her lab Mission Planning Operations team of JSC’s
partners developed a virtual reality game Flight Operations Directorate, supervisor
to help astronauts stay healthy and fit in Mike Boggs welcomed the information
space. The simulations included functional about how she worked and learned best:

exercises based on real-life situations that
I didn’t know that she had a disability
could occur during space missions, such as
until we had that first one-on-one meet,
needing to duck in order to avoid being hit
and so, it was important for her to
by a projectile (Insights International Inc.,
communicate to me that she reads my
Amy’s internship, 2019c).
lips, and so, if I’m communicating with
Interns are also matched with a mentor. her, I needed to, you know, be head-
According to Maddy Vandewalle, a on and be able to have my lips visible.
mechanical engineer with NASA, the mentor (Insights International Inc., Amy’s
is a more informal guide who serves as a internship, 2019c)
role model, helps interns navigate the work
Due to her passion for analysis, Amy was
environment and culture, and provides
tasked with troubleshooting scheduling
coaching and support for things like how
issues that affected everyone from
to approach difficult conversations with
astronauts on the space station, to the
their supervisor (personal communication,
mission planning and operations team.
December 4, 2018).
When she first started working with Mike,
Amy Quartaro worked with Maddy they found that if she turned the volume
Vandewalle in the Structures Test Lab, where all the way up, she could use the headset
she built a radiation sensor plate, a piece that the flight controllers used. By 2017,
of safety-related flight hardware that is her hearing had declined to the point of
used on the Orion spacecraft. Amy’s sensor needing a cochlear implant. The solutions
plate launched on SpaceX CRS-16 (Insights Amy designed for the project are still
International Inc., Amy’s internship, 2019c), used on console over a year later (Insights
a cargo resupply mission to the International International Inc., Amy’s internship, 2019c).
Space Station that delivered over 5,600
In addition to engineering, critical thinking,
pounds of science and research, crew
and self-advocacy, Amy’s internship also
supplies, and vehicle hardware in December
provided hands-on experience with other
2018 (NASA, n.d.-c).
21st century skills such as collaboration,
Maddy is a NASA Pathways internship communication, information literacy,
alumna. Her mentor is also still with JSC and leadership. After researching and
(Insights International Inc., Amy’s internship, designing a hatch for a Mars concept
2019c). When three generations of interns vehicle, she presented her design via
exist under the same employer, interns get telecon to all stakeholders involved with
a first-hand example of how their internships the project. Due to her academic and
can lead to successful careers. For NASA, internship achievements, Amy is now
it also produces continuity and aids in being recruited for graduate school and
retention and succession planning. fellowships. Her supervisor for the hatch
project, Oscar Guzman, provided praise and
For interns with disabilities, Pathways
encouragement: “Yeah, she’ll be my boss
internships also provide a low-risk
one day” (Insights International Inc., Amy’s
environment for practicing disclosure and
internship, 2019c).
self-advocacy. When Amy worked with the
VR YOUTH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER DRIVING INNOVATION THROUGH DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AT NASA 9
SCHEDULE A HIRING A applicants, rather than from the list of
all applicants (U.S. Equal Employment
While inclusive internships are one pathway Opportunity Commission, n.d.). Not all
to a career with NASA, individuals with federal agencies use Schedule A hiring, but
disabilities, including youth with disabilities, those that don’t may have other procedures
can also enter into federal employment to streamline hiring of individuals with
through the Schedule A hiring process. disabilities (U.S. Equal Employment
Youth with disabilities can apply for Opportunity Commission, n.d.).
Schedule A hiring at JSC with or without
The traditional hiring process results in
participating in a NASA internship. At the
what is called “competitive service.” The
NBL student tour and info session, Sabrina
Schedule A hiring process, often referred to
Parras, Business Development Officer with
as “non-competitive appointment,” results
TWSVRS, spoke with visiting students about
in what is called “excepted service.” As
Schedule A hiring (Insights International Inc.,
outlined by the U.S. Equal Employment
Partnering to build diversity, 2019b).
Opportunity Commission (n.d.), an individual
According to the U.S. Equal Employment in excepted service can be converted to
Opportunity Commission (n.d.), while most competitive service after completing two
hiring in the federal government occurs or more years of satisfactory service under
through a structured competitive process a non-temporary Schedule A appointment
open to all applicants, Schedule A hiring without a break of more than 30 days.
provides an expedited hiring process The individual must be recommended for
to individuals with disabilities. In some conversion by his or her supervisor, meet
instances, federal agencies may select all requirements and conditions governing
solely from a list of qualified Schedule career and career-conditional appointment
10 VR YOUTH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER DRIVING INNOVATION THROUGH DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AT NASA