Drake State Community & Technical College is one of six colleges and universities to win NASA’s Inclusion Across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science (INCLUDES) award. The awards are made possible through NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) and provide up to $1.2 million for a three-year period.

Frontiers student intern Joseph Green and the Frontiers team visited NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston during a recent training trip.

Drake State’s winning proposal builds on current work by its Frontiers Research Program. The program, established in 2020, supports research in additive manufacturing and 3D printing for NASA’s Moon to Mars Planetary Autonomous Construction Technology Project (MMPACT).

“With the significant funding provided by the INCLUDES award, Drake State will be able to rapidly grow our research program, the related curriculum development and STEM outreach to middle and high school students,” said Drake State President Dr. Patricia Sims. “It’s rewarding that our focus on meeting workforce needs in aerospace and advanced manufacturing is recognized and valued by NASA.”

In addition to supporting the MMPACT project, the Frontiers Research team’s work is expected to lead to innovation and curriculum development that will benefit construction and advanced manufacturing industries. Team members are faculty and student interns from the college’s Engineering Design program.

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“The Frontiers program and other partnerships with local and regional industries create unique and rewarding opportunities for our students,” said Sims. “We’re grateful that our industry partners like NASA and Jacobs (Engineering), as well as our local and state leaders, understand the importance of investing in our college and our students.”

For more information about the Frontiers Research Program at Drake State visit drakestate.edu.