Designation as a "NASA Explorer School" indicates an ongoing relationship with NASA through a mutual agreement for sustained involvement by educator/administrator teams, students, and families. Each NASA Explorer School team will develop a Family Involvement Program in cooperation with the Family Coordinator who will serve as liaison for NASA Explorer School opportunities. The Family Coordinator may be a NASA Explorer School team member or a representative from a parent or community organization. This is an unpaid position, with an event budget contingent upon local funds available from businesses, coalitions, or grants.
Family Coordinators will be provided with training, organizational ideas, and sample activities by the NASA Science, Engineering, Mathematics, and Aerospace Academy program in cooperation with NASA Explorer Schools. Ongoing support will be provided via teleconferences and on the NASA Explorer Schools website.
The responsibility of the Family Coordinator is to manage the Family Involvement Program as determined by the local NASA Explorer Schools team. These duties include, but are not limited to the following, depending on team needs and agreed-upon duties within the NASA Explorer Schools team.
Develop workshops & activities (Examples: family focus group, family nights, home-based family initiatives)
Market family involvement program
Recruit volunteers & guest speakers
Recruit parent/adult family member participants
Order workshop materials
Facilitate family involvement activities
Assist in the planning and implementation of recognition programs & special events
Manage family event evaluations
Teams submit their Family Coordinator's contact information to their NASA Explorer Schools Coordinator.
