NASA Suspends STEM programs!

[Moriarty]

I saw the same article and contemplated posting this on Chief, but after rereading it a couple times, the wording and what was being targeted did not seem to include FIRST. If it did, I was under the impression that this was more targeted at many minor events that NASA would normally attend (such as smaller events like NASA employees traveling to schools or something).

I interpreted this as three things:

1. Journalistic Overstatement: The writer of the article interpreted the memo (in the usual journalistic negative and overblown way by entitling it "Sequester Cancels NASA Outreach". This was a memo not a public statement saying "We are stopping all outreach"

2. Targeted at NASA run projects, not NASA funded ones --

In terms of scope, this includes all public engagement and outreach events, programs, activities, and products developed and implemented by Headquarters, Mission Directorates, and Centers across the Agency, including all education and public outreach efforts conducted by programs and projects.

3. Misinterpretation of a memo outlining possible steps of actions to be taken by NASA, not a statement of actions that will be done:

all education and public outreach activities should be suspended, pending further review.

[Moriarty]

In addition, if you read the updates further down in the article, it is not "a cancelling of STEM programs"

“There’s a waiver process in place and there will be exemptions for mission activities…most activities will continue, I am confident of that,” Bob said. “But there are always things you can do better or more efficient, and these cuts are going to force the entire government to reduce services.”

Read more: http://www.universetoday.com/100949/...#ixzz2OQQZZ7yY

All they are trying to do is eliminate unnecessary spending -- I don't think FIRST falls into unnecessary spending.