Guest: Dr. Paul Hardersen. Topics: K-12 space education, STEM education, UND Space Studies programs. Dr. Paul Hardersen, Associate Professor of Space Studies, returned to the Space Show in order to discuss the new K-12 space education outreach program and more. In the first segment, we discussed the K-12 program and other Space Grant and space educational programs designed for the K-12 grades. At one point during the discussion, Dr. Hardersen said next year they would probably limit the programs to grades 8-12 as they were more appropriate. You will hear why this is so during this discussion. We discussed the need for STEM education in middle and high school, space education, and problems with today's students. At one point, Paul used the term "equation deficient" to describe many of the students in middle and high school. Later, Paul was asked if there was any direct relationship to students coming to Space Studies from these outreach or STEM programs. You will want to hear what he said about this. He was also asked about the space interest among the students doing an undergraduate minor in Space Studies at UND. His comments on this issue may surprise you. In the second segment, we talked about NASA and Space Grant. Dr. Hardersen described the NASA EPSCOR program to us, the type of research it funds, and then we talked about the overall NASA educational budget. What you hear may surprise you again! The specifics of the North Dakota Space Grant program were outlined and Space Grant funding was explained along with the different funding categories available. To learn more about North Dakota Space Grant, please visit www.nd.spacegrant.org/. Toward the end of this segment, we brought up the observatory at UND Space Studies. You can find out more about it, the various telescopes and the rules the students adhere to in using the observatory by visiting .www.observatory.space.edu/. In addition, Paul talked about the different telescopes and the courses that are requirements for students if they want to use the telescopes. He also explained the Internet Telescope Network with UND, South Dakota, Israel, Utah, and other states. In the third segment, Paul brought us up to date on the Space Studies program at UND, including changes made to the curriculum, especially the 501 Class. The subject of post-docs came up and funding graduate students so don't miss this as you might be able to benefit from these programs. The admission standards were described and he was asked about the possibility of a PhD program for Space Studies. He said they were on track for the doctoral program, perhaps by the fall of 2010. Paul mentioned revisions to the Capstone program and Orientation so don't miss this discussion. If you have any questions or comments for Dr. Paul Hardersen or if you want to know anything about UND Admissions or Academics, you can contact him at Hardersen@space.edu. In addition, you can send your UND questions to me at drspace@thespaceshow.com.