Inland Northwest Space Alliance Newsletter

INSA News is a monthly publication that provides information about the Inland Northwest Space Alliance, the Northern Rockies Consortium for Space Privatization, public education and outreach, research and development and INSA’s ongoing projects and partnerships.

NASA EXTENDS PENLEY’S STAY IN MISSOULA

Ned Penley’s Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) assignment from NASA was extended for another year in early February. The assignment allows Penley to continue as Technical Advisor for INSA and NRCSP in Missoula.

Penley was assigned to Missoula in June 2003 and has been instrumental in accomplishing INSA’s educational and outreach goals. Penley played a significant role in the success of the first Mission to Mars Camp and the many teacher education workshops offered throughout the region. Penley’s presentation on NASA’s vision of exploration and the Microgravity Drop Tower has reached more than 10,000 elementary and secondary students in Montana and surrounding states.

Senator Conrad Burns wrote a letter supporting an extension of Penley’s IPA. "Penley’s contributions are vitally important to inspiring the next generation of explorers, bringing the latest NASA science and engineering accomplishments into the classroom, and providing teachers with exciting curriculum and technology," wrote Burns. "Mr. Penley is playing a critical role in realizing my vision of enhancing aerospace development in Montana and the nation."

Ned formerly managed the International Space Station Research Mission Management Office at Johnson Space Center in Houston. He received the NASA Exceptional Service Medal in 2003, for work on Research Maximization and Prioritization (REMAP) and ISS Multilateral Partner Research Planning.
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INSA TO HOST LEADERSHIP MISSOULA HIGH SCHOOL

The Inland Northwest Space Alliance will host a Leadership Missoula High School Day Session April 20, 2005 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the INSA office.

Leadership Missoula High School is a program designed for local high school juniors to teach the importance of community involvement. It is sponsored by the Missoula Chamber of Commerce.

The day-long session will include six 30 minute rotations led by Ned Penley, NRCSP, Amy Fisher, INSA, Liz Cunningham, TEST, and Kelli Ryan from the YMCA. Rotations will include a webcast, Mars Jeopardy game and bio-medical overview. The day session will wrap up with a program evaluation and graduation ceremony.

Students interested in registering for future Leadership Missoula sessions should contact the Missoula Chamber of Commerce.
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NRES RECEIVES CRISIS MANAGEMENT PLAN GRANT

Northern Rockies Educational Services recently received a grant to assist Terry, Montana schools develop a crisis management response plan. The plan includes training both teachers and students for potential emergencies such as snow storms and other disasters and improving the communication systems within each school and throughout the district.

Currently, the Terry schools have no intercom system. NRES is looking at providing teachers, staff and administrators with digital pagers to enable district wide communication.

NRES is working with the Fire Services Training School to implement the changes and conduct training. NRES will be meeting with community leaders, school staff and faculty and community members to gather suggestions and listen to potential concerns.

NRES is also writing more grants for similar projects in Montana and Wyoming.

"We would like to design a whole package that we could then sell to administrations," said Steven Cunningham, Emergency Service Trainer and Consultant for NRES. "We then would go in and customize the system to their specific
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FLADMO RE-APPOINTED

Congratulations to Diane Fladmo! She was re- appointed by Governor Brian Schweitzer to serve another term on the Montana Board of Public Education.

As the Education Advisor for NRCSP, Fladmo works on instructional material and curriculum development. Fladmo has worked in education for over 25 years and has experience as an administrator, teacher and school board member.
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MADA HOLDS SECOND AEROSPACE CONFERENCE

The Inland Northwest Space Alliance attended the second annual Montana Aerospace Technology Conference in Great Falls on February 23-24, 2005. The conference was co-sponsored by the Montana Aerospace Development Association (MADA), the Montana Department of Commerce, Montana Economic Developers Association (MEDA), MSE Technology Applications, Inc., Montana State University’s TechLink Center, the University of Montana, and NASA.

Focusing on "Partnerships-the key to building aerospace industry in Montana," speakers from both government and the private sector spoke about aerospace economic development in Montana.

INSA President, George Bailey, considers the MADA conference very important to INSA and the future of aerospace industry in Montana. "It is the perfect opportunity for like minded Montana companies to network and explore partnership opportunities," said Bailey.
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