[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 50 (Monday, March 15, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12184-12185]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-5751]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), and as part of its continuing effort to reduce 
paperwork and respondent burden, the National Science Foundation (NSF) 
is inviting the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on 
this proposed continuing information collection. This is the second 
notice for public comment; the first was published in the Federal 
Register at 68 FR 75652 and no comments were received. NSF is 
forwarding the proposed submission to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously with the publication of this 
second notice.

DATES: Comments regarding these information collections are best 
assured of having their full effect if received by OMB within 30 days 
of publication in the Federal Register

ADDRESSES: Written comments regarding (a) whether the collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
NSF, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) 
the accuracy of NSF's estimate of burden including the validity the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; or (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 technology should be addressed to: 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB, Attention: Desk 
Officer for National Science Foundation, 725-17th Street, NW., Room 
10235, Washington, DC 20503, and to Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports 
Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, 
Suite 295, Arlington, Virginia 22230 or send e-mail to 
[email protected]. Copies of the submission may be obtained by calling 
(703) 292-7556.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, NSF Reports 
Clearance Officer at (703) 292-7556 or send e-mail to [email protected].
    An Agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently 
valid OMB control number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title of Collection: Evaluation of the Research Experiences for 
Teacher (RET) Program.
    OMB Number: 3145-NEW.
    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 award 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 30 minutes per response.
    Respondent: Individuals.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Form: 596.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 298 hours--596 
respondents at 30 minutes per response.
    Frequency of Responses: 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.


[[Page 12185]]


    Dated: March 9, 2004.
Suzanne Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 04-5751 Filed 3-12-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M