One of the Consortium goals is to enhance the interests and enthusiasm of students in science, engineering, and space-related disciplines. To achieve this goal, the Consortium invites organizations and qualified individuals to design and implement outreach projects in the science area for each academic year. Projects could include classroom-based activities or professional development opportunities for teachers. Attending and disseminating learning from professional development conferences is also encouraged. Proposals are reviewed by the Board, which makes the final selections. Awards are made for a one-year period.  Criteria for selection of these projects, among others, will include: long-term viability of the activity, depth and breadth of impact on students, specific plans and special effort to bring in minorities and women to actively participate and benefit from the project, and the degree of adherence with the state’s STEM standards and reform initiatives, specifically, alignment with WV Content Standards and Objectives, alignment with national math and science standards, alignment with NASA Mission Directorate and Agency direction, and plans for evaluation and publicizing the results of the project.

Another goal of the Consortium is to develop innovative courses for College and Pre-college institutions. The NASA WV Space Grant Consortium started this new program to enable faculty and various organizations associated with the Consortium to develop new and innovative courses at the pre-college (high school or middle school) level in West Virginia. Applicants were required to present a clear and feasible plan for designing and offering a new course or a new module in an existing course in the STEM fields.  Review criteria include: involvement and participation by either of the two NASA Educational Resource Centers and NASA Explorer Schools in the state, incorporation of NASA-produced educational material in the course, the depth and breadth of impact on students, level of encouragement of students to pursue a college degree in a STEM field, degree of support and collaboration by the school board, PTA, and local community groups to provide the required 1:1 cost share.

The Consortium's vision is to involve the public in the excitement of scientific discovery, emphasizing the importance of STEM education and bringing the Vision for Space Exploration to the grassroots. This program provides funds to develop new and innovative outreach programs in West Virginia. Examples of such programs are: conferences that promote the understanding, education, development, and utilization of space, seminars that encourage interdisciplinary training and research in aerospace-related fields, and that train professionals for careers in aerospace science, technology, and related fields. Proposals were accepted from individuals or groups at any of the eleven member institutions of the Consortium.