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Motto is Exploring the Galaxy………for all humanity
Vision and Mission of the organization
A non-profit organization to educate children and expand activities in space
Galaxy Explorers Program uses volunteer spirit of America
- Meeting program is similar to  boys and girls clubs: one meeting a month and one or so field trips or projects every other month - Meeting program provides the following: 1) opportunities to develop friendships with kids with similar interests; 2) opportunities to learn and practice leadership and teamwork - interactive web based program supports what is done at meetings: go on line to get reading material; pictures (from other meetings illustrating how to do things); and ideas; chat rooms to communicate with others in program - interactive web based program supports organizational skills and employing technology as kids establish friendship networks to communicate with each other - reading materials supports program as well  many kids may not have access to computers (changing by the day) - rewards system kids love medals, ribbons, trophies, certificates, etc.   It instills a sense of pride for their achievements.  Motivates them
NASA and private industry support educational programs.  No matter how much money and support is given, education is still limited to the classroom.  Space science competes with numerous subjects leaving enthusiastic students little opportunity to pursue their interests. 
Galaxy Explorers draws on the “volunteer spirit of America” and is an extremely inexpensive means of educating and inspiring kids for years.    
America’s population show faltering numbers of persons in science and engineering (NSF)
The number of engineers has gone down
- By any measure Americans support space
- Polls show strong support for space exploration
- NASA registers millions of hits on websites for space events
(e.g. Mars Lander 5 million hits in just a few days)
-By any measure Americans support space
-Space related facilities log millions of visitors per year.
-NASA registers millions of hits on websites (all are not American) for events
(e.g. Mars Lander 5 million hits in just a few days)
- A number of activities illustrate kids enthusiasm for space. 
- Our society is changing – Most of  these activities (except for SciFi films and toys) did not exist just 20 years ago
- Science and space camps are now seen as cool
- Advertisers clearly recognize the popularity of space. 
- Many products (e.g. JVC cameras, BMW cars, Reeces Peanut Butter Cups, British Airways, etc.) use space as a theme in advertising.
- In age group 8 - 16 there are over 31 million kids
-Three or four percent could give a scientifically literate group in society of millions of people - More scientifically literate people will support advances in space and Earth science related programs and technology
The Federation will eventually have three major levels of organization
The national level provides leadership and management of the organization
Regional levels will be led by a volunteer Board of Directors.  Professional and volunteer cadre will administer Regional level activities  
Local levels are the key to success.  Currently, a Sector comprises 10 schools with multiple Mission Teams in each.  A Mission Team consists of 10 –20 Galaxy Explorers.
Current organizational structure.  Eventually we will include state and regional level controls.
The Prince William County program illustrates a standard Sector.  A representative from each school and a Galaxy Explorers Section Leader make up the Sector Leadership Team.  This team meets monthly to coordinate resources, deconflict educational programs, lecture visits, field trips, etc.  In addition, they manage relations with local businesses and fundraise.
The fully evolved organization
Responsibilities at each level of the fully developed organization. 
An example of the nationwide reach of the aerospace community
The Federation of Galaxy Explorers has just completed Phase 2 of our development program.  Pilot programs have been completed and expanded efforts are underway.  New pilot programs are starting in different locations while current programs better establish their programs. After Phase 2 we initiated a lessons learned effort to analyze the organization to identify “best practices” and areas for improvement.  It is ongoing.
Phase 3 will take approximately two years.
- Four key thrust areas
- Each areas supports the objective of creating an educated, active populace to shape the nation’s space policy 
- leadership skills
- leadership and teamwork are fundamental aspects of this program
- kids have opportunities to develop both (i.e. model rocket launch requires range officer, safety officer, altitude graders, etc.)
- Organizational skills
- Program to teach kids to apply technology such as websites, chat rooms, bulletin boards, etc. to organize and communicate
Each year five themes are explored by Mission Team members
Starting in the Second Class Galaxy Explorer, children will be able to pursue special tracks (Space Science Officer, Launch Officer, Engineering Officer, etc.).   These specialty tracks will offer additional opportunities to learn under more mentored relationships.
In grade 11, Galaxy Explorers conduct semester or year long projects; or internships.
Many activities have already been completed (red). 
Pilot programs to test organizational “best practices” are largely complete.
Developing an expanded volunteer base and funds are ongoing activities.