NASA’s Georgia Space Grant Consortium celebrates 35 years of service
Space has long served as a powerful gateway for sparking curiosity and igniting passion in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Globally, STEM fields are in high demand. In Georgia, aerospace is the state’s top export — a thriving landscape that underscores the importance of cultivating a robust STEM pipeline. Georgia Tech has played a central role in fueling that pipeline through the Georgia Space Grant Consortium (GSGC)Georgia Space Grant Consortium (GSGC)
Since 1989, Georgia Tech has successfully managed GSGC, a statewide network of higher education institutions, nonprofits, strategic industry allies, and partners who develop and administer STEM programs. Established in 1988 by Congress and implemented by NASA, GSGC has grown into a powerful source for STEM innovation and opportunity.
Each year, GSGC receives federal funding to support a wide range of programs, including fellowships and scholarships for college students, research initiatives, internships, hands-on STEM activities for K-12 students, professional development for educators, and workforce development programs.
Initially, there were only four affiliate institutions: Clark Atlanta University, Georgia State University, Tuskegee University, and Kennesaw State University. Today, that number has grown to more than 21 affiliate institutions and an additional six partner organizations. Affiliates are elected to membership and actively advance the program’s mission through the financial support of GSGC.
There is a tremendous need for the nation’s workforce to be innovative and highly skilled to support a wide range of business, defense, and critical societal needs. In this, America is competing on a worldwide stage. Georgia has an aerospace industry of its own that needs a skilled workforce, and we’re helping to fuel it.
Stephen Ruffin, GSGC director, professor in Georgia Tech’s Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering (AE), and an associate dean in the College of Lifetime Learning.
Setting the Foundation
Over 35 years ago, AE Professor David Peters submitted a Space Grant proposal to NASA on behalf of Georgia. NASA accepted the proposal, setting the stage for incredible work to come. As he implemented and administered the program, Program Manager Wanda Pierson, was by his side.
“Inviting Apollo astronaut Charlie Duke to our first GSGC gathering and to visit K-12 schools was one of the highlights of my career. He discussed his experience of being on the moon. Seeing the children’s faces light up, I knew we were onto something important. Another one of my fondest memories was the kiosk we had in Centennial Olympic Park for our Space to Sports exhibit during the 1996 Olympics. It was so amazing,” said Pierson.
Expanding the Vision
Professor Erian Armanios became GSGC director in 1991, driven by a passion for Ph.D. fellowships for nontraditional doctoral scholars because he saw a lack of representation. The program provided these scholars with graduate research assistantships, reduced tuition, and access to professional conferences and organizations. During Armanios’ tenure, over 23 Ph.D. students from various backgrounds graduated with STEM degrees, made possible with GSGC support.
GSGC developed a speaker series in which GSGC fellows presented to middle and high school students. One of the fellows included Mark Costello, an AE graduate student who later served as AE chair from 2018 to 2023.
GSGC Ph.D. students formed tight bonds, and the program provided a sanctuary during their studies because they could pop into the GSGC office anytime to study or for friendly conversation. Even though the students came from various schools at Georgia Tech, they found their way into Pierson’s office.
“To this day, I can probably track 25 of the graduate students easily and say what is going on with them,” said Pierson.
One such graduate is Calvin Mackie, ME 1990, M.S. ME 1992, Ph.D. ME 1996. Mackie spent countless hours studying in the GSGC offices, and he brought along his little brother, Anthony Mackie, who later rose to fame as an acclaimed actor. Calvin Mackie founded and now runs STEM NOLA, a program providing STEM activities to students in New Orleans.
Education, research, and progress in society are never the product of a single thread — they are woven from the collective talents of many. At GSGC, we wanted to ensure that every ounce of talent across Georgia had the chance to shine and contribute to discovery,”
Professor Erian Armanios
Left to right: Stephen Ruffin, Erian Armanios, Wanda Pierson, and David Peters.
STEP Camp 2024 students working on rover.
Student tries space suit gloves.
Purpose Driven
In 2009, Ruffin took the GSGC helm and developed a strategic plan to unite the consortium under a clear vision and a strong mission statement.
In 2022-2023, GSGC programs served 6,214 K-12 students, 1,043 K-12 educators, 439 undergraduate students, 70 graduate students, and awarded 57 fellowships, scholarships, and internships. In 2023-2024, GSGC programs served over 9,184 K-12 students, 4,848 K-12 educators, 2,012 undergraduates, 114 graduate students, and 12 post-doctoral students in Georgia. The consortium also awarded 179 fellowships, assistantships, scholarships, and internships across the state. It shows the reach the program is having throughout the state.
Our mission is to maximize the number of Georgia students from all backgrounds who are well prepared in STEM fields and motivated to support space and aeronautics programs vital to this nation.
Stephen Ruffin
Lecturer Kelly Griendling talking to students and parents at the close of 2023 STEP Camp
2015 STEP Camp
Lori Skillings administers the program now and keeps it running like a well-oiled machine. She works closely with GSGC Program Coordinator Alysia Watson and AE Senior Lecturer and K-12 Outreach Lead Kelly Griendling.
“I’m grateful to be a part of a program that inspires students in Georgia to seek STEM degrees. Witnessing the growth of students is the most rewarding experience I’ve ever had. I’m like a proud mom,” Skillings said. She especially enjoys when she hears about the successes of former students as they forge their career paths.
Around the State
GSGC funds its affiliate institutions and partners across Georgia to carry out the program mission. Affiliate directors bring their ideas to the table to serve their communities in both rural and urban areas of the state. Orchestrating collaboration with affiliate institutions and partners has been crucial to the consortium's growth and longevity.
"Working with GSGC has allowed me to open doors to fields students may never have explored before,” said AE graduate student Erik Goeke. In addition to mentoring students, Goeke accompanied the GSGC staff to Capitol Hill to promote the program while also working on NASA’s ML-Bots, a Georgia Tech created program focused on machine learning missions.
- At Georgia Tech, the STEP Summer Camp brings over 50 high school students to campus to learn engineering design and complete a NASA-inspired project in two weeks. The program started 10 years ago with 20 students and now has almost 60; this year, under Griendling’s leadership, STEP received more than 500 applications. They bring space to life for Georgia high school students.
- At Athens, University of Georgia graduate student Matthew Olson worked on a project to develop and test a compact thermal vacuum chamber, using thermoelectric coolers for CubeSat environmental testing. Meanwhile, at the Griffin campus, a program developed CyanoSense 2.0 — a satellite-connected sensor system designed to detect the location and size of harmful algal blooms using space-based communication. CyanoSense 2.0 has been deployed at six locations across the country.
- Mercer University collaborated with the Warner Robins Air Force Base–STARBASE program, the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts, and the Hines Family Foundation to create a summer camp for middle school kids that introduces students to climate science and agriculture.
- Farther south, Georgia Southern University hosts the Eagle Engineering Ambassadors program. There, students mentor local high school students and teachers each semester through various engineering projects like design prototyping using CAD, 3D printing, Arduino programming, and autonomous robots.
“I've worked with GSGC since my first year, as an undergraduate student,” said graduate student Jalen Caluey, AE 2025, “I’ve done logistical and technical work in STEP. I’ve mentored K-12 students, but I also learned more technical skills while doing so.”
GSGC also offers activities for the public throughout the year, including presentations at the University of West Georgia’s Planetarium, STEM Summer Camps at the Museum of Aviation next to Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins and solar system walks at Georgia Southern University and the University of North Georgia.
With aerospace being the state of Georgia's No. 1 export, the consortium helps to cultivate Georgia’s next generation of skilled STEM professionals.
Affiliates and Partners
Agnes Scott College, Albany State University, Clark Atlanta University, Columbus State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Southern University-Armstrong, Georgia Southern University-Statesboro, Georgia State University, Hines Family Foundation, Kennesaw State University, Mercer University, Morehouse College, Museum of Aviation, PinkSTEM, Savannah State University, SpaceWorks Enterprises, Inc., Spelman College, University of Georgia- Athens, University of Georgia- Griffin, University of North Georgia, University of West Georgia, Center for Sustainable Communities, Commodore Conyers College and Career Academy, Center for Space Technology and Research (C-STAR), GA Center for Innovation for Aerospace, and West Georgia Technical College.
The GSGC showcases outstanding programs and students across the state in its annual reports each year.
2024 GSGC Affiliates Meeting
Yellow Jackets
Little girl wins the race!
Space Day Atlanta 2021
Left to right: Alysia Watson, Lori Skillings, and Stephen Ruffin
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