SSTI Digest

The first $90 million has been awarded through NSF’s new program Information Technology Research (ITR) initiative. The goal of the program is to build US leadership in information technology (IT) through support of fundamental research and innovative applications of IT. The ITR program is designed to strengthen the nation’s IT knowledge base as well as the IT workforce. Only 210 projects were chosen from the more than 1,400 proposals submitted. Sixty-two large projects, and averaging $1 million per year for three to five years, were funded (involving 41 institutions in 22 states). Each of the remaining 148 projects total $500,000 or less for up to three years; these went to 81 institutions in 32 states. The accompanying table presents the distribution of awards by state. The focus areas for the program are software; scalable information infrastructure; information management; revolutionary computing; human-computer interfaces; advanced computational science; education and workforce; and social or economic implications of IT. One of ITR’s major emphases is on “middleware,” software that…

During its six years in operation, the Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Program has awarded more than $150 million in grants to strengthen the education of technicians for the high tech fields driving our economy. The ATE Program is managed jointly by the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Division of Undergraduate Education and the Division of Elementary, Secondary, and Informal Education. The recently released 1999 Awards and Activities for the ATE Program shows the diversity of projects funded in effort to prepare technicians for rewarding careers in strategic technology fields. The program supports the development and dissemination of educational materials and curricula, professional development of college faculty and secondary school teachers, and technical internships for students. In FY1999, 164 projects were funded and 11 Centers of Excellence received continued funding. ATE-funded projects and centers focus on science-related technologies, engineering and computer technologies, core mathematics and science, and special projects. Two-year colleges are expected to play a…

Since its inception in 1975, the Alan T. Waterman Award remains the highest honor awarded by the National Science Foundation. The award is conferred annually to the young researcher who has demonstrated exceptional individual achievement in scientific or engineering research of sufficient quality to place them at the forefront of their peers. The awardee receives a $500,000 nonrestrictive grant over a three-year period for continued research. The deadline for nominations for the 2001 award is December 31, 2000. Candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and either be 35 years old or younger or not more than seven years beyond receipt of their Ph.D. More information on the Waterman Award, including past recipients is found at: http://www.nsf.gov/nsb/awards/waterman/

"How we view -- and treat -- the environment is a critical question for the 21st century," begins the letter from Eamon Kelly, chair of the National Science Board, that accompanies Environmental Science and Engineering for the 21st Century: The Role of the National Science Foundation. The study outlines the scope of the $600 million in current NSF environmental activities and conveys policy guidance for NSF to design a future $1.6 billion portfolio of programs and initiatives. Twelve recommendations are described in detail, including, in addition to the increased funding for NSF:  Creating a "suite of environmental research and education hubs, on the scale of present Science & Technology Centers and Engineering Research Centers"  Establishing a highly-visible, NSF-wide organizational focal point  Supporting educational activities and proposals that capitalize on student environmental interests  Enhancing and expanding disciplinary, interdisciplinary, and long-term environmental research  Increasing research on scientific assessment for prioritizing research…

Two-thirds of all U.S. research and development (R&D) expenditures in 1997 were concentrated in just ten states according to a July 10, 2000 Data Brief from the National Science Foundation. In contrast the 20 lowest ranking states in R&D expenditures accounted for only four percent of the $199 billion total.  The top 10 states by total R&D expenditures were: California ($41.7 billion), Michigan ($14.0 B), New York ($12.3 B), New Jersey ($12.1 B), Massachusetts ($11.1 B), Texas ($9.5 B), Pennsylvania ($8.2 B), Illinois ($8.0 B), Washington ($7.5 B), and Maryland ($7.4 B).  The Data Brief also graphically presents the ten-year trends for state R&D expenditures. With an annual, inflation-adjusted growth rate of 14 percent, New Hampshire experienced the greatest increase in R&D expenditures. Alabama saw the greatest decline at six percent. Real R&D growth for the country as a whole averaged two percent per year over the same period. States with real growth over the three percent threshold for statistical significance were (in alphabetical order):…

The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and its sponsors have more than $1 million available through several programs to support and recognize science students and teachers. Applications are currently available for the following programs:  Barrick Goldstrike Exemplary Elementary Earth Science Teaching Award;  Ciba Specialty Chemicals Exemplary Middle Level and High School Science Teaching Award;  Ciba Specialty Chemicals Exemplary Middle Level and High School Principal Award;  Drug, Chemical & Allied Trades Association Education Foundation's "Making a Difference"Award;  Distinguished Informal Science Education Award;  Distinguished Service to Science Education Award Distinguished Teaching Award;  Estes Rocketry/U.S. Space Foundation (USSF) Space Educator Award;  Gustav Ohaus Programs for Innovation in Science Teaching;  NASA Educational Workshops (NEW);  Robert H. Carleton Award;  Science Screen Report Award;  The Science Teaching Award; and  the Toyota/NSTA TAPESTRY Grants.  Visit the NSTA web…

Increasing globalization of research and development (R&D) and the prolific growth of information technology (IT) are major elements in a "science and engineering enterprise that is in transition," the National Science Board (NSB) reports in Science and Engineering Indicators 2000. The new S&E Indicators report emphasizes a changing context for the National Science Foundation, and for science and engineering, generally. According to Science Board chair Eamon Kelly, there has been rapid worldwide growth and emphasis in science and technology, heightened by broad collaboration among nations. Recognizing the trend, the NSB devoted portions of each of the nine chapters in the new S&E Indicators to international comparisons and global patterns in science, engineering, education and technology. The report describes growing evidence of how fundamental science has contributed to a stronger U.S. economy, and how IT has had a major impact on all facets of society. It also says that the impact is unequal within many segments of the national economy and in education, leaving…

The National Science Foundation has released two statistical reports that present several science and engineering statistics by state:  Federal Science & Engineering Support to Universities, Colleges, and Nonprofit Institutions for Fiscal Year 1998 Detailed Statistical Tables  The April 2000 report presents 39 tables characterizing federal science and engineering (S&E) obligations to colleges, universities, federally funded research and development centers, consortia, and independent nonprofit institutions. Several present the data by state, including: 1991-1998 federal obligations for S&E, 1991-1998 federal obligations for S&E research and development, 1998 S&E obligations by type of activity, and 1998 S&E obligations by federal agency. Many others present the information for the 100 universities and colleges receiving the largest amount of federal funding. Perhaps, most useful are four tables (B-15-18) that present 1998 S&E and S&E research and development obligations by state and by university or college. The report can be downloaded from:…

More than 240 of the nation’s leading scientists and engineers, including 14 Nobel laureates, will begin sharing their passion for discovery with middle school students across the nation as a result of the “Scientists and Engineers in the Schools” program. Announced last week, the program is a new initiative of the National Science Foundation. To reach students around the country as role models and mentors, the award-winning scientists and engineers will visit local middle schools during the 50th Anniversary year of the National Science Foundation (April 2000 to May 2001). In addition to the Nobel Laureates, 14 Medal of Science winners, 7 Medal of Technology recipients, 11 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientist & Engineers awardees, 186 CAREER recipients, and 8 A.T. Waterman award winners also have signed on to share their experiences with students throughout the country. The volunteer scientists and engineers reside in 37 states. The purpose of these visits is to introduce students to the myriad opportunities science, engineering and technology afford them, and to foster more…

The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the world's largest organization dedicated to the improvement of science teaching, and ExxonMobil Foundation today announced a $3.9 million grant from the Foundation to expand the Building a Presence for Science initiative. A primary objective of the program is to help science teachers implement state and national science education standards in their schools. A second goal is to create a network through which science teachers can share the latest ideas about effective science teaching. In partnership with state-based education organizations, NSTA identifies a cadre of educators to serve as Key Leaders in each state. The Key Leaders select, with input from principals, one teacher from each of 25-30 schools in a geographic cluster to serve as a Point of Contact. Each Point of Contact is a conduit to other science-teaching colleagues, bringing to them resources and professional development opportunities that emphasize state and national standards-based science teaching and learning. Teachers and schools adapt the program to fit priorities and…

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has released the first request for proposals under the new Partnerships for Innovation Program (PFI). The program intends to support 15-25 collaborative efforts, totaling $8 million, that emphasize "productive links among relevant parties to enable innovation." Anticipated participants may include colleges and universities, not-for-profit institutions, state and local governments, trade and professional associations, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, federal laboratories, and other relevant organizations and businesses. The PFI program strives to forge connections between new knowledge created in the discovery process to learning and innovation. "Partnerships for Innovation might include the planning and/or implementation of new models for innovation that connect discovery to use through knowledge transfer; education and training activities that explicitly address the workforce needs of the innovation enterprise; and, the development and deployment of new tools or mechanisms that support the innovation infrastructure. They may focus on creating a…

The National Science Foundation seeks applications to fill the position of Legislative Specialist (GS 301-11/12). The Legislative Specialist's work is closely related to the often-time critical flow of information about NSF programs and activities to the Congress, Congressional staff, state officials, industrial leaders, and the general public. Among other duties, the position is responsible for integrating state-related information available and coordinating state-related activities when appropriate. Also the incumbent shares in the responsibility for the establishment and maintenance of contacts with state policy makers in charge of science and engineering research and education programs, and organizations representing these individuals. A more complete position description is available on the S&T Job Corner of the SSTI web site: http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm