Update on NSF Geoscience & STEM Education Programs in FY 2014

Jill Karsten, Ph.D.Directorate for GeosciencesNational Science Foundation

AGU Heads & Chairs MeetingDecember 8, 2013

Changing Landscape of Federal STEM Education

• Informed by PCAST reports & CoSTEM 5-yr strategic plan

• Desire for more coherence & coordination

• Proposed elimination/reorganization of 116 (of 226) programs in President’s FY14 budget

• Identification of “lead” agencies:▫ K-12 education (Dept. of ED); Engagement/informal education

(Smithsonian)

▫ Undergraduate & graduate education (NSF)

• Strong emphasis on using & building evidence-based strategies

• Priorities Areas: ▫ Undergraduate student retention; Broadening participation

▫ 2Yr-4Y transitions; Public-private partnerships

▫ Improving introductory math courses

• “Common Guidelines for Education Research and Development”▫ http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13126/nsf13126.pdf

NSF Undergraduate STEM Education Programs

• More coherence and coordination among Federal STEM Ed investments sought▫ “Catalyzing Advances in Undergraduate STEM Education” (CAUSE) program proposed in

FY14 NSF budget, but Congress prohibited enactment

• “Improving Undergraduate STEM Education” (IUSE) program▫ EHR/DUE Program Description [PD 14-7513], not a solicitation▫ Replaces TUES, STEP & WIDER solicitations in FY14▫ Proposals prepared according to the standard NSF Grant Proposal Guide▫ No limits on eligibility or funding; up to 5 years duration allowed▫ Proposal submission target date of February 4, 2014▫ Informational webinars 3:00 – 4:30 pm (EST) on Dec. 10, 11, & 12

• “Ideas Labs” on STEM Workforce▫ Opportunity identified in the IUSE Program Description▫ Three, 5-day, intensive workshops to catalyze novel, multi-disciplinary approaches to solving

workforce problems in Engineering, the Geosciences, and Biological Sciences▫ A Dear Colleague Letter describing the topic of each Ideas Lab and application process will be

issued by December 31, 2013

More information, including main Points of Contact: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504976

IUSE Webinar information: http://ehrweb01.aaas.org/stem-iwbw/iuse-webinars/

Changes to GEO’s Education Programs

• Separate GEO-managed education programs ended in FY 13▫ Geoscience Education (GeoEd)

▫ Opportunities for Enhancing Diversity in the Geosciences (OEDG)

▫ Geoscience Teacher Training (GEO-Teach)

• Two Dear Colleague Letters [NSF 14-014 & NSF 14-015]▫ Requests for Supplemental Funding for active GEO awards

▫ Proposed work should not duplicate already funded efforts

▫ Major priorities: Undergraduate education & research Broadening participation in the geosciences Leveraging GEO & EHR research infrastructure & partnerships Scaling up/disseminating evidence-based best practices

▫ Competitive review of requests after submission Funding through GEO Office of the Assistant Director

Supplemental Funding Opportunity #1

• Alliances for Minority Participation – Student Research Supplements (AMP-SRS): NSF 14-014▫Goal: to engage undergraduate or graduate

student(s) from underrepresented minorities in the research

▫PI must work at an LSAMP or AGEP institution

▫Proposal must document that student(s) will have access to the LSAMP/AGEP resources

▫Student(s) must be U.S. citizen or permanent residentRequests due February 14, 2014

www.nsf.gov/pubs/2014/nsf14014/nsf14014.pdf

Supplemental Funding Opportunity #2

• Advancing Recruitment & Retention in the Geosciences (ARRG): NSF 14-015

Type I: Augmentation of Existing REU Sites Increase # of students participating Add academic year follow-up activities for promising REU students Broaden the disciplinary focus within the geosciences Engage MSI/2YC faculty as guest mentors Requests due January 10, 2014

Type II: Leveraging Large GEO Infrastructure Engage undergrads in facility research/data use Provide technical training for ATE participants Requests submitted anytime up to May 1, 2014

www.nsf.gov/pubs/2014/nsf14015/nsf14015.pdf

Supplemental Funding Opportunity #2

• Advancing Recruitment & Retention in the Geosciences (ARRG): NSF 14-015

Type III: Dissemination of Best Practices in Education & Diversity

Disseminate lessons learned through participants Professional development activities for faculty & administrators Requests submitted anytime up to May 1, 2014

Type IV: Building Capacity Through Partnerships Strengthen geoscience education pathways at MSIs/2YCs Research opportunity awards for MSI/2YC faculty Requests submitted anytime up to May 1, 2014

www.nsf.gov/pubs/2014/nsf14015/nsf14015.pdf

Undergraduate Geoscience Education Summit• “Future of Geoscience Undergraduate Education” Summit

▫Two goals: Share evidence-based best practices for improving

instruction and learning, preparing the future workforce for all geoscience career paths, & broadening participation of underrepresented minorities

Explore the need for a larger community-wide process to reform undergraduate geoscience education

▫Hosted by University of Texas at Austin (S. Mosher, PI)

▫ January 10-12, 2014 (registration closed)

▫Some portions will be webcast, see:

www.jsg.utexas.edu/events/future-of-geoscience-undergraduate-education/