CONTACT(S)

NOTE: All program proposal due dates that fall on a weekend are due the following working day by 5:00PM your local time

SCOPE

This solicitation represents a comprehensive effort on the part of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to enhance nanoscale science and engineering education. Its goals are to form strong partnerships between researchers in science and engineering and those in science education; to develop effective strategies and interventions for integrating nanoscale science and engineering that will inform other emerging areas of science and engineering, into formal education in grades 7-16; and to increase public awareness of advances in nanoscale research and technology and their impact on society. Among the activities that will be supported are doctoral programs in science education, the development of instructional materials and courses for adoption and implementation in classrooms, grades 7-16, and research on the cognitive and implementation aspects of the educational interventions. The goals are carried out through partnerships involving institutions with the requisite expertise in nanoscale science and engineering and in education.

A related program solicitation, Nanoscale Science and Engineering (NSF 03-043), is focused on fundamental research in emerging areas of nanoscale science, engineering, and technology.  This related solicitation contains three components: Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Teams (NIRT); Nanoscale Exploratory Research (NER); and Nanoscale Science and Engineering Centers (NSEC).  Other research and education projects in nanoscience and engineering will continue to be supported in the relevant programs and divisions.

To attain the overarching program goals, NSEE encompasses four independent components:

• [A] Centers for Learning and Teaching (NCLT):  Centers are intended to create educational leadership for emerging areas of science and engineering by creating doctoral programs, representing collaborations of researchers in nanoscale science and engineering, education, and cognitive and behavioral sciences.  Other objectives are to define and implement a research agenda focused on the learning and teaching necessary to introduce nanoscale science and engineering into classrooms at age-appropriate levels, and to develop strategies for providing effective teacher and faculty development.
     
• [B] Informal Science Education (NISE):  This national effort is intended to foster public awareness and understanding of nanoscale science and engineering through development of media projects (film, radio, television) and exhibits. 
  
  
• [C] Instructional Materials Development (NIMD):    This effort is intended to support development and rigorous testing of prototype instructional materials that promote student learning and interest in nanoscale science, engineering, and technology concepts and that show promise for large-scale adoption and implementation in some or all of the grades 7-12. 
  
  
• [D] Nanotechnology Undergraduate Education (NUE):  This effort continues an existing program to introduce nanoscale science and technology through a variety of interdisciplinary approaches into undergraduate education, particularly in the first two collegiate years.

NOTE.  These four components are related to existing programs at NSF.  Those organizations with an interest in more than one component must submit separate preliminary proposals (where required) and full proposals for each component of interest.

WORKSHOP FOR POTENTIAL APPLICANTS 

In view of the highly interdisciplinary nature of this initiative, both within science and engineering and among those disciplines and education, NSF will host a special workshop for potential applicants to the four components of this solicitation.  The workshop will be held at NSF Headquarters September 29-30, 2003.  Primary workshop goals are: (1) to provide information about existing projects in research and education related to nanoscale science and engineering, as well as projects in education of the type envisioned for this initiative; (2) to present a vision of the nature of the cooperation and synergy between the community engaged in research in nanoscale science and engineering and the community engaged in research and development in education; (3) to provide opportunities for members of these communities to begin to form partnerships; and (4) to provide an understanding of the evaluation of the NSEE program, in which all grantees will be required to participate.  The workshop will include presentations by representatives from NSF-supported centers engaged in nanoscale research and outreach activities, Principal Investigators (PIs) from education projects with goals similar to those articulated in this solicitation, and evaluators of education projects.  Participants are expected to cover their own travel and subsistence expenses.  Those with an interest in participating in this workshop should register by 5:00 p.m. (registrant's local time) August 25, 2003.  Details will be available through the Web site, http://www.nano.gov.  Every attempt will be made to accomodate those registered on or before that date.  Others will be placed on a waiting list. 

NSF Document: NSF 03-044

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