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News Tip

 


February 22, 2000

For more information on these science news and feature story tips, please contact the public information officer at the end of each item at (703) 292-8070. Editor: Cheryl Dybas

Report Shows Students Improving in Math and Science Preparation

High school students nationwide are graduating with more courses in science and math, according to a recent report from the Council of Chief State School Officers, but teacher preparation and supply varies widely by state. The report, which covers 1990 to 1998, was developed with the support of the National Science Foundation (NSF) in cooperation with state departments of education. It examined state-by-state trends in student achievement, content and instruction, teacher preparation and supply, and context and conditions of teaching. The report is valuable, says Larry Suter, deputy director for research, evaluation and communication at NSF, because "it shows that students are taking more courses in math and science and performing better."

Among the report's findings is an increase in the national percentage of high school students taking three years of math, up from 49 percent in 1990 to 63 percent in 1998. During the same period, the report shows the percentage of high school students taking three years of science increased from 45 percent to 54 percent. Seven states - Nebraska, Massachusetts, Kentucky, North Dakota, Missouri, Mississippi, and Maine - had more than 75 percent of high school students take three years of math by graduation. [Charlie Drum]

For more information, see: http://www.ccsso.org/publication/publication.html

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First Hearing on NSF 2001 Budget Highlights Economic Connection

NSF Director Rita Colwell told members of the House Basic Research Subcommittee that the 2001 budget request for NSF is historic in two ways: "It is a record-setting increase..and, best of all, reflects the lessons of history. "That history, she pointed out, clearly shows that investment in leading-edge science and engineering research and education must be "one of our highest national priorities." Colwell called the strong economy "our best friend," because "it ended the argument over whether the information revolution was just a fad or was really a fundamental restructuring." As Alan Greenspan and other economic and industry leaders have spoken about the role of science and technology in the current economy, people have noticed what NSF has been saying for years, Colwell said. "Industry R&D; may be growing at a record rate, but its dependence on public investments is growing even faster," Colwell pointed out. The subcommittee hearing was the first of a series of hearings to discuss the President's request for a 17% increase (to $4.6 billion) for fiscal year 2001 in NSF's budget. [Mary Hanson]

For the full testimony, see: http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/congress/hearingtest.htm

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Global Seismographic Network Establishes Internet Connection to Remote Africa

In remote equatorial Africa, university students are now able to access high-speed Internet service for the first time, thanks to a collaboration between an African university and the Global Seismographic Network (GSN), funded by NSF and run by the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS).

IRIS scientists worked with officials in Gabon, Africa, to gain access to seismic data from a newly installed GSN station near Franceville, Gabon. With the help of the President of Gabon, the Universite des Sciences et Techniques de Masuku cost-shared a satellite link for telemetering seismic data. Seismic data from this remote region is now flowing to U.S. scientists, and the first Internet access is available to the university and its medical research center.

The new facility was dedicated on February 11, 2000. Says Rhett Butler of IRIS, "This is the second time that IRIS and the GSN have brought the Internet to a remote place. A few years ago, the GSN brought the first Internet service to Mongolia, as well." Reaction in Gabon to having the Internet, he maintains, "ranges from delighted to ecstatic. And IRIS scientists are as happy to have data from this remote region at our fingertips." [Cheryl Dybas]

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