[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 31, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75652-75653]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-32187]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Carry Out a New Information 
Collection

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

[[Page 75653]]


ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
request clearance of this collection. In accordance with the 
requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (Pub. L. 104-13), we are providing opportunity for public comment 
on this action. After obtaining and considering public comment, NSF 
will prepare the submission requesting that OMB approve clearance of 
this collection for no longer than 1 year.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by March 1, 
2004 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance 
Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295, 
Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone (703) 292-7556; or send email to 
[email protected]. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for 
the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 
1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through 
Friday. You also may obtain a copy of the data collection instrument 
and instructions from Ms. Plimpton.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title of Collection: Evaluation of NSF Support for Undergraduate 
Research Opportunities (URO).
    OMB Number: 3145-NEW.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to carry out a new 
information collection for one year.
    Abstract: Proposed Project: The Directorate for Engineering (ENG) 
initiated the Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) Supplements 
activity in FY 2001 to be add-ons to active awards funded by ENG 
programs. The intent was to build on the popular NSF-wide Research 
Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Supplements activity by providing 
opportunities for K-12 teachers to conduct hands-on experiences in the 
laboratories/facilities of ENG-funded researchers interested in 
participating in RET. Typically the supplements supported one or two 
teachers. The assumption was that the teachers could also benefit from 
involvement in research and direct exposure to the scientific method 
and transfer what they learned into classroom activities. Since then, 
ENG has funded RET Site awards, which are similar to REU Sites in that 
NSF awards fund groups of teachers to work with faculty members at the 
same institution and to engage in group activities related to the 
research. In 2003, community college faculty became eligible as 
participants in RET awards.
    This study of RET will include participants in RET Supplement and 
Site awards from 2001-2003 funded by the Division of Engineering 
Education and Centers, the Division of Bioengineering and Environmental 
Systems, and the Division of Design, Manufacture, and Industrial 
Innovation. The study will examine whether the scale and programmatic 
characteristics of the larger group awards, such as those funded as RET 
Sites, bring about different outcomes and impacts on the teachers and 
their subsequent instructional and professional activities, compared 
with those resulting from involvement in the typical small-scale RET 
Supplement. NSF wishes to know how RET experiences have affected 
participating teachers' subsequent teaching techniques and content 
modifications made as a result of teachers' RET activities. In 
addition, outcomes and impacts beyond the teachers' own classrooms from 
the research experiences, e.g., follow-up knowledge transfer 
activities, any formal partnerships formed between the awardee and the 
teachers' school system/district, or community college, etc. should 
also be examined. The collection will be done on the World Wide Web.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 40 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Individuals.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Form: 645.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 430 hours--645 
respondents at 40 minutes per response.
    Frequency of Response: One time.

Comments

    Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the Agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information on respondents, including 
through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on those who are to respond, including 
through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or 
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.

    Dated: December 24, 2003.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 03-32187 Filed 12-30-03; 8:45 am]
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