Griffin on NASA and Education
Michael Griffin Redux, Starstryder (Blog)
Grad Student: How do we convince the Government to get us money?
Griffin: We’re not allowed to lobby Congress
Grad Student: NASA Produces great educational materials
Griffin: Yes we do, but … Let me remind you that NASA is not the department of education. NASA spends $15 million each year on education – that’s enough money for one more Discovery mission, and we can’t do that mission because of the education we do. I’m not saying that is money badly spent, but … NASA is the only thing in the domestic discretionary part of the Federal budget that hasn’t received cuts.
Grad Student: I’m not trying to make fun of NASA – I’m trying to say I want to live in a world in 30 years where people are better educated in Science, Math, and Technology
Griffin: That’s not NASA’s job
Grad Student: (pause) Do you have any insights from your work with politicians on how we can get more science education?
Griffin: I don’t generally get any insights from politicians
