Peace Garden News

Senator John Hoeven recently met with the North Dakota Space Grant Consortium to discuss expanding STEM education opportunities for students in the state. He emphasized his support for the Space Grant program, which offers fellowships and scholarships to encourage students to pursue careers in high-tech fields. This initiative also aims to strengthen North Dakota's role in space research and technology.

Hoeven highlighted the state's growing high-tech missions, including the Space Development Agency’s low-Earth orbit satellite mission in Grand Forks and the Sky Range program using modified Global Hawks for hypersonic missile testing. These projects are part of efforts to position North Dakota as a leader in new space operations and military communications.

The senator noted that these initiatives attract companies like BlueHalo, creating high-paying jobs in aerospace, defense, and cybersecurity. Earlier this week, Hoeven announced BlueHalo's expansion into the Grand Forks region, building on a partnership he helped fund between the company and Bismarck State College.

“The Space Grant Consortium provides valuable opportunities for North Dakota students to gain hands-on experience in space science and technology,” said Hoeven. “As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue supporting the Space Grant program, which has allowed students to intern at NASA’s research centers and contribute to space-related research. We've worked to secure North Dakota's role in cutting-edge missions like the LEO satellite mission, and we need a workforce that can sustain such operations long term. This program, along with our focus on UAS and satellite technology, helps cultivate the next generation of STEM leaders and innovators."

Hoeven is focused on securing resources to prepare students for future economic roles both locally and nationally by expanding access to STEM education. His efforts include supporting programs that enhance school districts' capacity for STEM education and advocating for legislation that expands National Science Foundation initiatives aimed at increasing young girls' participation in computer science.