[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 212 (Friday, November 1, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65715-65716]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-26099]
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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Request for Comments on the Program Solicitation for the Advanced
Technological Education Program (ATE)
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Request for Comments.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the intent of the Advanced Technological
Education (ATE) Program at the National Science Foundation (NSF) to
change some emphases in the program's solicitation.
As part of this information collection effort, the Division of
Undergraduate Education in the Directorate for Education and Human
Resources is requesting comments on possible changes to the current
program solicitation, that could include: (1) Adding specific emerging
areas to expand the pool of skilled technicians in strategic advanced-
technology fields; (2) increasing focus on or highlighting gaps in the
program solicitation that need to be addressed; (3) developing new
types of partnerships (e.g., NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnerships,
partnerships with Discipline-Based Educational Researchers,
partnerships with learning scientists, educational researchers and
evaluators); and (4) adding Research & Development (R&D) on innovations
in curricular, learning materials, tools, assessments, and faculty and
student professional development.
DATES: Send your written comments by December 2, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Send your written comments to Advanced Technological
Education Program, Division of Undergraduate Education, National
Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Room 835, Arlington, VA 22230.
Send email comments to [email protected] by December 2, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: [email protected]by December
2, 2013.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Background
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Advanced Technological
Education (ATE) program was established by the Scientific and Advanced
Technology Act of 1992 to utilize the resources of the Nation's two-
year associate-degree granting colleges. With an emphasis on two-year
institutions, the Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program
focuses on the education of technicians for the high technology fields
that drive our nation's economy. The program involves partnerships
between academic institutions and industry to promote improvement in
the education of science and engineering technicians at the
undergraduate and secondary school levels. The ATE program supports
curriculum development; professional development of college faculty and
secondary school teachers; career pathways to two-year colleges from
secondary schools and from two-year colleges to four-year institutions;
career pathways that lead to entry-level technician positions in STEM
that require less than a baccalaureate degree, and other activities The
program also invites proposals focusing on research to advance practice
and the knowledge base related to technician education.
Program goals are to
1. Educate highly qualified science and engineering technicians to
meet workforce demands in strategic advanced technology fields;
2. Improve the technical skills and general science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) preparation of these technicians
and the educators who prepare them at the secondary (grades 7-12) and
undergraduate levels; and
3. Increase the capacity of institutions to effectively partner
with industry to develop and implement advanced technician education
programs that supply the workforce for industry and enhance the
economic vitality of the region and the Nation.
ATE is a workforce program that is located in the Division of
Undergraduate Education (DUE) in the Directorate for Education and
Human Resources.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal
agency established by Congress in 1950 ``to promote the progress of
science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to
secure the national defense; and for other purposes'' (http://www.nsf.gov/about/)
The NSF Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR) ``makes
investments toward a vision of a healthy and vital national science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) enterprise. The
Directorate works toward that vision through its mission, which is to
support the preparation of a diverse, globally competent STEM workforce
and a STEM-literate citizenry through investments in research and
development on STEM education and learning. Opportunities to learn STEM
effectively--for people of all ages, from all corners of the Nation,
and in many venues (e.g., classrooms and living rooms; science centers
and virtual centers)--are the foundation for that scientifically
literate society and strong scientific workforce. These, in turn, are
the basis for keeping our Nation globally competitive, prosperous, and
secure. EHR provides the focus for NSF's investments to advance STEM
learning, scientific literacy, and a globally competitive science and
engineering workforce'' (http://www.nsf.gov/about/budget/fy2014/pdf/25_fy2014.pdf).
B. Request for Comments
The Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Program is seeking
information from the public and program stakeholders. Governmental
policy makers, academic researchers, evaluators, industry, professional
societies, and other interested parties are encouraged to participate
by submitting comments. These comments will be used to inform changes
to the solicitation and may be made publicly available. The ATE Program
will not respond to individual comments. Official address, contact, and
due date for submitting comments are stated above.
Dated: October 29, 2013.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2013-26099 Filed 10-31-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P