October 2007 |
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Research and Development Bolsters U.S. Economic Growth The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would be nearly 3 percent higher each year between 1959 and 2004--$284 billion higher in 2004 alone--if research and development (R&D) spending were treated as investment in the U.S. national income and product accounts. The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) partnered to produce these estimates as part of an ongoing activity to illustrate how spending on R&D affects U.S. GDP. Other major findings include:
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To learn more about the report, visit the NSF press release. |
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Technology to the RESCUE | |||
A well-planned and coordinated response to disasters and emergencies can minimize injuries and prevent the loss of life. In order to successfully respond to a crisis, first responders and local government officials need to process a flood of information and communications so they can make sound decisions quickly. The Responding to Crises and Unexpected Events (RESCUE) project is working to transform how communities and first responders plan for and respond to both natural and man-made disasters by turning new technologies and cutting-edge research into practical tools for emergency planners and responders. Funded by the NSF, RESCUE's goal is to dramatically improve the ability of emergency responders to gather, process and disseminate information with each other and the general public. RESCUE has participated in several emergency preparedness drills with local responders to analyze how effective the potential response is and to find ways RESCUE expertise can help emergency personnel. These drills and exercises have already produced useful new tools and insights that will be put into place in the event of a disaster. See the NSF press release for more. |
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Preparing Teachers for Success | |||
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Like doctors in training, future math and science teachers in New York University's (NYU) Teaching and Learning Residency program get real-life exposure to the demands of their profession while learning their craft from a team of experts. Recruited from among undergraduate science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) majors, the prospective teachers are placed in exemplary New York City math and science classrooms in high-needs secondary schools and also attend weekly seminars designed to introduce them to the content and pedagogy involved in teaching math and science. The NYU program is one of 16 projects funded in 2007 through NSF's Robert Noyce Scholarship program. Successful completion of the residency makes STEM majors eligible for a $10,000 undergraduate scholarship, plus a $15,000 scholarship for a fifth-year program leading to teacher certification and a master's degree in science or math education. To date, 91 awards to institutions in 32 states have been made under the Noyce Scholarships. For more on the program, see NSF's "Cultivating Math and Science Teachers for High-need School Districts." |
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NSF "Bytes" Into Computing Education | |||||
NSF's Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering has awarded grants for its Pathways to Revitalized Undergraduate Computing Education (CPATH) program, an initiative that aims to transform undergraduate computing education on a national scale. More than 25 institutions across the country received grants totaling $6 million. Despite the pervasive impact of computing and the creative efforts of individuals in academic institutions, undergraduate computing education often looks much as it did several decades ago. Enrollment in computer science programs in the United States has declined in recent years. In order for the nation to maintain its competitive edge, computing classes and curricula must keep students engaged while preparing them for careers in the 21st century. The CPATH initiative should help create better computing education at the undergraduate level. Creating successful programs that can be replicated at other colleges and universities is key to the CPATH program's goal of transforming undergraduate computing education. See "NSF Provides Funding to Transform Computing Education" for more information on the program. |
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Some 178 Nobel Laureates have been supported by the public through grants from NSF and often from other federal agencies at some point in their careers, and sometimes throughout their careers. By the time these awardees are recognized internationally, their early fundamental research has developed implications for such broad areas as the environment, business and decision making. NSF congratulates the 2007 Nobel laureates, particularly Leonid Hurwicz, Eric Maskin and Roger Myerson, who earned the prize for their economics research. All three received NSF support for the research that earned them this year's prize. In fact, since 1969, when the Nobel Prize in economics was established, NSF has funded 38 recipients of the Nobel economics honor. See NSF's special report, "The Nobel Prizes: the NSF Connection" for more details on NSF-supported laureates. |
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Study Shows Road to Ph.D. Long, Difficult -- The Daily Texan (10/5/2007) -- A study done by NSF shows the road to a doctorate is a long one, often taking seven or eight years in some fields. This might explain why only 51,000 people nationwide are expected to receive their doctoral degree this year, compared with more than 1.5 million bachelor's degrees expected to be conferred this year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Science Leader Airs Concerns: U.S. Fails to Properly Train Future Scientists -- StarLedger (10/16/07) -- America may be holding its own as a research powerhouse, but it isn't working hard enough to train future scientists and engineers, according to the head of the federal agency responsible for basic research. "Math and science education are the foundation of the 21st century work force," said Arden Bement, director of the National Science Foundation, speaking yesterday to dozens of educators from area colleges and schools at Drew University in Madison, N.J. "Your roles as educators who inform, instruct and inspire is critical to both the region and the nation." Where Are the Geek Women? -- Red Herring Magazine (10/19/07) -- Women make up 46 percent of the U.S. labor force but hold just 22 percent of tech jobs. The world of tech remains overwhelmingly male, especially in the top rungs. The gender gap is most obvious in the graduate schools that fill the ranks of technology leadership, although there are signs of progress. Between 1996 and 2005, female representation in the United States increased from 12 to 18 percent among engineering Ph.D.s, from 13 to 15 percent among physics Ph.D.s, and from 15 to 20 percent among computer science Ph.D.s, according to data from NSF. |
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The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science with an annual budget of nearly $5.92 billion. NSF funding reaches all 50 states through grants to over 1,700 universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives about 42,000 competitive requests for funding and makes over 10,000 new funding awards. The NSF also awards over $400 million in professional and service contracts yearly. Contact NSF's Office of Legislative and Public Affairs for more information, to unsubscribe, or for permission to reuse newsletter images. |
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