[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 178 (Thursday, September 15, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54584-54585]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-18298]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

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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 November 14, 
2005 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 sent e-mail 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 may obtain a copy of the data collection instrument and 
instructions from Ms. Plimpton.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title of Collection: Follow-on Study: Evaluation of the Research 
Experiences for Teachers (RET) Program, Participants in FY 2004 and FY 
2005 Awards.
    OMB Number: 3145-0198.
    Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 2007.
    Type of request: Renewal.
    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. The assumption was 
that, like undergraduates, the teachers could benefit from involvement 
in research and direct exposure to the scientific method, and they 
could transfer what they learned into classroom activities. Typically 
the supplements supported one or two teachers. Beginning in FY 2002, 
ENG has also 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. By design, all RET awards are made to the 
university in whose research the teachers participate.
    The initial study of the program just concluded focused on 
participants in ENG-funded RET Supplement and Site awards in 2001 
through 2003. That study resulted in modifications to the RET program 
announcement for the FY 200 competition. The proposed follow-up study 
will be very similar to the initial study and focus on teachers who 
participated in RET during 2004 and 2005. The follow-on study will 
examine how RET experiences have affected participating teachers' 
subsequent teaching techniques, attitudes about teaching, and 
professional development activities. Outcomes and impacts beyond the 
teachers' own classrooms, such as knowledge transfer activities, formal 
partnerships formed between the RET Principal Investigators (PIs)--the 
awardees--and the teachers' school system/district will also be 
examined. The first survey found that follow-up interaction between PIs 
and teachers were strongly related to reported positive effects. 
Accordingly, the follow-up study will explore this aspect of the 
experience in somewhat greater detail that was done in the first 
survey. The survey data collection will be done on the World Wide Web 
as before.
    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: 600.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 400 hours (600 
respondents at 40 minutes per response).

[[Page 54585]]

    Frequency of Response: One time.

    Dated: September 9, 2005.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 05-18298 Filed 9-14-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M