1. NASA’s New SOLAR System Helping students launch their future with NASA Student On-Line Application for Recruiting Interns, Fellows and Scholars A Component of NASA’s One Stop Shopping Initiative An initiative of NASA’s Office of Education

2. 2 One Stop Shopping Initiative Leadership Message “The SOLAR System is one component of the Agency-wide One Stop Shopping Initiative to provide students seeking NASA research and education opportunities with a “one stop shopping” experience. The system will centralize & standardize the application and placement process for students engaged in STEM research, aerospace education and space exploration, and it will help strengthen the development, management and analysis of NASA’s workforce pipeline.” Dr. Mabel Matthews Higher Education Manager NASA Office of Education

3. Project Objectives 3 NASA’s Education Goals Outlined in the NASA Strategic Plan Strategic Goal 2: Attracting and retaining students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines OSSI Objectives Functional Objective 4: Standardize the selection process Functional Objective 5: Enhance communication, participation and collaboration between scientists and engineers and funding source managers/coordinators for internship/fellowship programs Strategic Goal 3: Engaging Americans in NASA’s mission Strategic Goal 1: Strengthening NASA and the Nation’s future workforce Functional Objective 1: Provide a single point-of-entry for students seeking NASA internships, fellowships and scholarships Functional Objective 6: Increase the workforce pipeline of former NASA interns/fellows [Re-entry] Functional Objective 3: Increase participation of all types of Higher Education institutions through the use of Broker-Facilitator Corps to recruit and assist students in applying for internships/fellowships, in addressing retention issues and in developing career strategies Functional Objective 2: Enhance national branding of NASA’s internship/fellowship opportunities

4. Project Description 4 Student On-Line Application for Recruiting (SOLAR) Interns, Fellows, and Scholars

5. Functional Concept of Operations 5

6. Current Challenges of Recruiting and Selecting Students Students must submit applications in multiple systems to apply for opportunities at different Centers and for different types of programs Processes are currently decentralized, vary between Centers and programs, and are complex for students to understand 50% of students initiating an application do not complete the application Inability to track and manage students to form workforce pipeline The mentors’ satisfaction with the process varies depending on Center systems’ capabilities Difficult to on-board students

7. STUDENTSMENTORS See all of NASA’s opportunities— graduate and undergraduate—in one, easy-access system See all student applicants for NASA opportunities —graduate and undergraduate—in one, easy- access system Submit an application that can be viewed by all NASA mentors Submit a description of your opportunity that can be viewed by students nationwide Submit interest in up to 15 opportunities See student applicants that selected your opportunity as one of their top 15 Standard application deadlines across NASA Select students using a more efficient process to expedite offers Key Features of SOLAR

8. Goddard Space Flight Center’s Involvement A Project Commitment Agreement between HQ Office of Education and GSFC/ITCD was established for the formulation and implementation of the system Functional sponsor of the initiative is Dr. Mabel Matthews of the HQ Office of Education Project leadership is through the Information Technology and Communications Directorate The project is being managed according to NASA Procedural Requirements 7120.7, NASA Information Technology and Institutional Infrastructure Program and Project Management Requirements The project falls under the governance of the Agency’s Office of the CIO, IT Program Management Board 8

9. Application of Best Practices Identify stakeholder groups and impacts Engage a broad spectrum of stakeholders in the definition of requirements Utilize prototypes to help stakeholders visualize the system and ensure mutual understanding of requirements Incorporated stakeholder feedback Implement requirements in phases Maintain regular and frequent contact with stakeholders to ensure continued engagement Develop and execute a communications plan Conduct effective project reviews Plan for the transition to sustaining operations 9