[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 141 (Tuesday, July 23, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44164-44165]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-17639]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Establish an Information 
Collection

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice and Request for Comments.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
request establishment of this information 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 September 23, 2013, 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 email to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne Plimpton on (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, which is accessible 
24 hours a day, 7 days a wee, 365 days a year (including federal 
holidays).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title of Collection: Advancing Informal 
Science Learning Evaluation
    OMB Number: 3145-NEW.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable
    Type of request: Establishing.
    Abstract: Advancing Informal Science Learning (AISL), formerly 
titled Informal Science Education (ISE) program, is an NSF program that 
supports innovation in anywhere, anytime, lifelong learning, through

[[Page 44165]]

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 AISL has 
supported efforts to engage the public in science and science learning. 
Since the last major evaluation of the AISL program (COSMOS 
Corporation, 1998), the program has taken strategic steps to support 
the growing maturation of the informal science field, including field-
wide resources, such as the InformalScience.org Web site and the Center 
for the Advancement of Informal Science Education. The program's grant 
solicitations have reflected a growing professionalization for the 
informal science community with new expectations for rigorous research 
and evaluation on implementation and outcomes.
    The AISL program evaluation will characterize changes in the 
informal science arena since 1999 and delineate the role in those 
changes of the AISL program between 1999 and 2010. The evaluation will 
do so by analyzing AISL-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 AISL 
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 AISL projects, a survey 
instrument for project evaluators, and protocols for follow-up 
interviews with a sample of principal investigator and evaluator survey 
respondents.

Estimate of Burden

    Respondents: Individuals
    Frequency: One time
    Estimated Number of Respondents: PIs and evaluator surveys will be 
administered to individuals associated with a sample of 200 (of 703 
funded) projects. In addition, 20 PIs and 20 evaluators will be 
purposively sampled from survey respondents for interviews.
    Estimated Burden Hours on Respondents: The following aspects of the 
data collection add to respondent burden: (1) One-time administration 
of surveys to ISE-funded PIs and project evaluators, and (2) interviews 
with them. SRI anticipates that, including reading notification emails 
and consent forms, participating in the Web-based surveys will require 
0.5 hour (30 minutes) on average of each respondent's time. Average 
completion time is estimated because completion time may vary 
significantly according to the duration and complexity of an 
individual's involvement with the NSF ISE program. SRI estimates that 
respondents who have a long history with the NSF program may take much 
longer to complete the survey, while a PI or evaluator who has worked 
on one or two projects may complete it in well under 30 minutes. 
Average interview participation will require no more than 60 minutes of 
each respondent's time. Respondents will not incur any equipment, 
postage, or travel costs. A total of 140 one-time burden hours are 
estimated for the study. There are no annually recurring burden hours.

    Dated: July 18, 2013.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2013-17639 Filed 7-22-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P