History

A 1997 study funded by the National Science Foundation and conducted by Stanford Research Institute reported the following:

“The world stands on the threshold of a spatial information revolution.  Two components necessary for spatial technology to become pervasive in today’s society are an abundance of inexpensive technology projects and a knowledgeable user community.”

The study also indicated that a large gap exists between the research and development of the spatial technologies and the end users. 

Dr. David Powe, Chief, Education & University Affairs, NASA Stennis Space Center says, “Similar to the recent explosion of the computer and software industry, there is a dire need for a trained workforce to serve the geospatial industry and help the U.S. maintain its leadership in this field.”

The growth of this emerging industry is credited in large part to the expansion of uses.  The information derived from remote sensing data is being “applied” to address a wide-range of challenges in fields as diverse as urban planning, agriculture, environmental protection, resource management, and Homeland Security to name just a few.  The study further concludes that as the industry grows, so does the demand for a workforce equipped with the knowledge and skills to support the wide range of public and private applications of geospatial technologies.  Currently there is a national shortage of qualified candidates to fill existing positions in the geospatial technology and related industries.

Responding to the “gap” found by the SRI study and mindful of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center’s mission to educate the public on various aspects of the space program, including earth observations and space-based technologies, the USSRC established the Geospatial Training and Application Center (GTAC) in 1999.

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center boasts an innovative setting for many of their training sessions.  The campus includes a 400-seat Challenger auditorium, 200 seat Out Post In Space auditorium, IMAX theater that accommodates 288, six computer labs, multiple classrooms, dormitory housing for 1000, food services and dining facilities, round the clock security and nursing staff, and a Marriott Hotel with full conference facilities.

The Marshall Space Flight Center/U.S. Space & Rocket Center Education Training Facility was completed in May 2005.  This state-of-the art learning facility includes classroom space for 162 within the approximately 25,000-square-foot, two-story building.  The building also contains an Electronic Meeting System (EMS) Conference Room equipped with a wireless computer network to accommodate 20 students, a ceiling-mounted LCD projector wired to a DVD player and laptop, and audio capability for teleconferencing for distance learning.  The entire facility is wired to allow the SPACE CAMP staff to do uplinks to the ISS or to other NASA centers from any classroom or meeting space.  A specialized science laboratory equipped for hydroponics, robotics, and protein crystal growth instruction is included in the building, along with a dining room that seats 136 and a 126-seat auditorium.

The NASA Educator Resource Center (ERC) serves the six-state area of Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, and Iowa.  It is housed in this building and the Educator Resource Center area includes an additional 36-seat classroom and a computer lab designed with 27 workstations.