[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 28 (Thursday, February 10, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7591-7592]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-2976]


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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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[[Page 7592]]

SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
request reinstatement and clearance for this collection. In accordance 
with the requirement of Section 3506 (c)(2) (A) of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995, we are providing opportunity for public comment 
on this action. After obtaining and considering public comment, NSF 
will prepare the submission requesting OMB clearance of this collection 
for no longer than three years.
    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 of respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.

DATES: Written comments should be received by April 11, 2011, to be 
assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be 
considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Written comments regarding the information collection and 
requests for copies of the proposed information collection request 
should be addressed to Suzanne Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, 
National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Room 295, 
Arlington, VA 22230, or by e-mail to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne Plimpton on (703) 292-7556 or 
send 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title of Collection: Informal Science 
Education (ISE) Program.

Evaluation for the National Science Foundation

    OMB Number: 3145-0158.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.
    Type of request: Reinstatement.
    Abstract:
    Informal Science Education (ISE) is an NSF program that supports 
innovation in anywhere, anytime, lifelong learning, through investments 
in research, development, infrastructure, and capacity-building for 
science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning 
outside formal school settings. Informal science experiences can serve 
to spark young people's interest in pursuing careers in STEM fields as 
well as to improve public engagement with STEM, contributing to science 
learning for most citizens. For over 40 years, NSF ISE programming has 
supported efforts to engage the public in science and science learning. 
The program is charged with advancing public understanding of STEM 
content and processes and promoting engagement with informal STEM 
education experiences. Since the last major evaluation of NSF ISE 
(COSMOS Corporation, 1998), ISE has taken strategic steps to support 
the growing maturation of the informal science field, producing seminal 
documents such as Framework for Evaluating Impacts of Informal Science 
Education Projects (Friedman, 2008) and Learning Science in Informal 
Environments (NRC, 2009), and supporting field-wide resources such as 
the InformalScience.org Web site and the Center for the Advancement of 
Informal Science Education (CAISE). The program's grant solicitations 
have reflected a growing professionalization for the informal science 
community with new expectations for rigorous research on implementation 
and outcomes.
    The ISE program evaluation will characterize changes in the 
informal science arena since 1999 and delineate the role in those 
changes of the NSF ISE program between 1999 and the present. The 
evaluation will do so by analyzing NSF ISE-funded projects over that 
time frame, attending in particular to the impact on informal science 
infrastructure, the rigor of individual project evaluations, the 
learning outcomes for diverse audiences, and the features of exemplary 
projects. The ISE program evaluation will employ a mixed-method 
approach including extensive document review of solicitations, 
proposals, reports, and published literature; qualitative and 
quantitative analyses of surveys and interviews with researchers and 
practitioners in the field; and case studies of influential projects, 
initiatives, and ideas. This information collection request will 
include a survey instrument for principal investigators of past and 
current ISE projects, one survey instrument for project evaluators, and 
protocols for follow-up interviews with a sample of principal 
investigators and evaluators.
    Estimate of Burden:

Respondents: Individuals.
Frequency: One time.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 1010.
Estimated Burden Hours on Respondents: 550.

    Dated: February 7, 2011.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2011-2976 Filed 2-9-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P