Keep up with the latest from the U.S. National Science Foundation. This is a daily look at notable news, scientific findings and stories brought to you by NSF.
Research News
Environment influences coral's resilience to acidificationOctober 24, 2022
Corals are especially vulnerable to damage from ocean acidification, and rising CO2 levels jeopardize the future of coral reefs globally. However, a
Research News
Air pollution can amplify effects of climate change, new study findsOctober 24, 2022
The impacts of air pollution on human health, economies and agriculture differ drastically depending where on the planet the pollutants are emitted…
Dear Colleague Letter: Cyberinfrastructure, Data and Computation Opportunities for CMMI
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Document Number: nsf23017
Continue reading on NSF.gov
NSF News
NSF announces name changes to education directorateOctober 25, 2022
WASHINGTON – The U.S. National Science Foundation today announced changes to the names of the Directorate for Education and Human Resources and the…
Research News
Engineers build a battery-free, wireless underwater cameraOctober 25, 2022
Scientists estimate that more than 95% of Earth's oceans have never been observed, which means we have seen less of the planet's ocean than we have…
Science Matters
The secret success of slimeOctober 25, 2022
If you spend much time around kids, you know they never pass up the chance to play with slime. One type of slime in our own bodies is saliva, and a recent study found an interesting way it evolves in different species.
And if you want to have a slimin' good time? There are some step-by-step recipes for making your own slime at home! …
Research News
Plastics of the future will have many past lives, thanks to chemical recyclingOctober 25, 2022
One day in the not-too-distant future, the plastics in satellites, cars and electronics may all be living their second, 25th or 250th lives. New…
Research News
Bird enzyme points toward novel therapiesOctober 26, 2022
Thank the crested ibis for a clue that could someday help human bodies make their own drugs. The rare bird is the only one known to naturally produce…
Research News
Deepest scientific ocean drilling sheds light on Japan's next great earthquakeOctober 26, 2022
Scientists who drilled deeper into an undersea earthquake fault than ever before have found that the tectonic stress in Japan's Nankai subduction zone…
Dear Colleague Letter: Reproducibility and Replicability in Science
See this in PDF format
Document Number: nsf23018
Continue reading on NSF.gov
Dear Colleague Letter: Cyberinfrastructure, Data and Computation Opportunities for CMMI
See this in PDF format
Document Number: nsf23017
Continue reading on NSF.gov
Research News
What happens when one organism stabs another with its fangs, thorns, spines?October 27, 2022
Researchers have created a model that can calculate the energetics involved when one organism stabs another with its fangs, thorns, spines or other…
Dear Colleague Letter: Advancing Plant Transformation
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Document Number: nsf23019
Continue reading on NSF.gov
A Message from the Assistant Director for NSF’s STEM Education Directorate
Warmest greetings! It is with great pleasure that I join the STEM Education Directorate (EDU) as the new Assistant Director. It is a privilege to be a part of such an amazing and hardworking team that strives tirelessly to fulfill the mission of EDU.
I am joining NSF at a time of great change for the directorate. Moving from “Education and Human Resources” to “STEM Education” more accurately reflects its work and importance to advancing STEM discovery and impact, driving the economy, building a sustainable global workforce, and providing opportunities everywhere to all STEM learners.
In addition to changing the directorate’s title, the name of EDU’s Human Resource Development Division has changed to the Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM. It is very exhilarating to have names that better reflect EDU’s work in supporting STEM education and education research. Equally as exciting, the highly regarded INCLUDES Initiative has been renamed NSF’s Eddie Bernice Johnson INCLUDES Initiative to honor Congresswoman Johnson for her tireless commitment and devotion to advancing STEM and to celebrate her 30 years in the U.S. House of Representatives.
While many names are changing, the excellent work of EDU is constant. The Nation is in a very significant moment in history, and it is critical that it wins the global race in STEM discovery, innovation and talent development. This requires reaching the Missing Millions of Americans who have the capability to contribute to game-changing and emerging technologies that drive economic prosperity, national security, viable STEM discoveries, and innovations to the many grand challenges confronted by the U.S. and other parts of the world.
Not only is EDU running the marathon at a sprinter’s pace, it is also laser focused on making important investments in ideas, partnerships and projects that address complex problems in STEM education, research and workforce development. You will find in this issue some of EDU’s recent investments, and you can also read more about my vision for EDU here.
Thanks for all you do to make STEM excellence and inclusion a priority everywhere!
Respectfully,
James L. Moore III
Directorate Spotlight
EHR is now EDU!
NSF announced changes to the names of the Directorate for Education and Human Resources and the Division of Human Resource Development. The directorate will now be known as the Directorate for STEM Education, or EDU, and the division will be known as the Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM, or EES.
News
NSF announces $10 million partnership with Intel Corporation to train and build a skilled semiconductor manufacturing workforce
This new endeavor with Intel will educate and train the Nation's semiconductor manufacturing workforce and advance opportunities for equitable STEM education.
NSF awards $4 million for a National Polar Education and Arts Program
The Office of Polar Programs and EDU awarded $4 million to Oregon State University to facilitate and manage the Polar Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (Polar STEAM) initiative.
Four new NSF Eddie Bernice Johnson INCLUDES Initiative Alliances announced
NSF invests $39 million to establish new INCLUDES Alliances to enhance preparation, increase participation and ensure the inclusion of individuals from historically underrepresented groups in STEM careers.
NSF announces new opportunities for HSIs to support research and capacity building
This new funding opportunity of nearly $29 million introduces the HSI Program Network Resource Centers and Hubs, or HSI-Net.
New NSF workforce development program opens doors in emerging technology fields
The ExLENT program offers workforce development opportunities to help individuals gain valuable work experience in emerging technology areas.
Past Events
Watch 2022 Waterman Awardee Dr. Lara Thompson's Distinguished Lecture
EDU awardee Dr. Lara Thompson of the University of the District of Columbia gives a distinguished lecture about various assistive technologies and robotics aimed at improving balance in elderly individuals and survivors of stroke.
Upcoming Events
November 2, 2022: NSF will host Dr. Jim Lewis, former Acting Assistant Director and Deputy Assistant Director of EDU, as the culminating Noyce 20th Anniversary speaker. Dr. Lewis will discuss the impact of NSF's support of mathematical education of teachers and active learning in the undergraduate mathematics classroom. To attend the virtual talk, please register here.
November 4 and 7, 2022: NSF Listening Sessions on Supporting Low-Income Undergraduate and Graduate STEM Students.The NSF Scholarships in STEM (S-STEM) program's listening sessions will focus on the strengths, challenges and needs of low-income students pursuing STEM undergraduate and graduate degrees. Stakeholders can share their insights on topics including academic support, food and housing insecurity, family responsibilities, and more.
November 9–10, 2022: EDU Fall Advisory Committee Meeting. To attend, please register at least 48 hours prior to the meeting using the following registration link.
SciComm Corner
Tune in to a new NSF Research Traineeship Program (NRT) interview series
NSF spoke with Dr. Karletta Chief of the University of Arizona about the Indigenous Food Energy Water Security Sovereignty Training Program's impact and future. This interview is the first in a new NRT series.
Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program book online now
NSF and the American Association for the Advancement of Science released Research in Practice: Preparing and Retaining K-12 STEM Teachers in High-Need School Districts. This new book highlights eight research projects funded by the Noyce Research Track (Track 4) and shares emerging work in the field of STEM education and teacher preparation research.
Funding Opportunities
Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL)
Arecibo Center for STEM Education and Research (ACSER)
Expanding AI Innovation through Capacity Building and Partnerships (ExpandAI)
Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT)
LSAMP National Coordination Hub and Louis Stokes Community Resource Centers (LSAMP Hub & LSCRCs)
Racial Equity in STEM Education (EHR Racial Equity)
Tribal Colleges and Universities Program Hub (TCub)
To get the latest on what’s happening in EDU and learn about funding opportunities, upcoming deadlines and more, visit the STEM Education Directorate page.
EHR Divisions
Division of Graduate Education (DGE)
The Division of Graduate Education (DGE) provides funding to support graduate students and the development of novel, innovative programs to prepare tomorrow's leaders in STEM fields.
Equity for Excellence in STEM (EES)
Promotes activities that strengthen STEM education for underserved communities, broaden their participation in the workforce, and increase knowledge about promoting inclusion. (EES was formerly the Division of Human Resource Development.)
Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE)
DUE focuses on strengthening STEM education at two- and four-year institutions by improving curricula, instruction, laboratories, infrastructure, assessment, diversity of students and faculty, and collaborations.
Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL)
DRL seeks to improve STEM learning for people of all ages by promoting innovative research, development, and evaluation of learning and teaching across all STEM disciplines in formal and informal learning settings.
ICYMI - October’s Research News Highlights from NSF
10/28/2022
ICYMI - October’s Research News Highlights from NSF
What happens when one organism stabs another with its fangs, thorns, spines?
Model calculates energetics of piercing fangs and claws
Where do high-energy particles that endanger satellites, astronauts and airplanes come from?
New research shows how and when solar particles are accelerated
Geologists map how metal pollutants have traveled across the city of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh's steel industry's legacy lives on in city soils
What happens if Earth loses its last remaining large animals?
Researchers look to the past for insights into the future for megafauna
Study shows maternal effects are key to gut microbial development in a wild primate
Researchers find strong effects both before and after weaning
Artificial intelligence used to better monitor Maine's forests
New method uses AI and machine learning to monitor soil moisture with less energy and cost
COVID radar: Genetic sequencing can help predict severity of next variant
Computer model helps researchers better prepare for the next virus variant
Malaria spike linked to amphibian die-off
Study highlights the importance of biodiversity to human health
Neurons that have food on the brain
Scientists discover neurons that light up on sight of images of food
Researchers engineer novel material capable of 'thinking'
Findings build on decades-old research to engineer advanced material
Antarctic deep-sea coral larvae may be resistant to climate change
Larval health of an Antarctic cold-water coral species may be resistant to warming water
NSF News
NSF announces $10 million partnership with Micron to support semiconductor design and manufacturing workforce developmentOctober 28, 2022
The U.S. National Science Foundation today announced a cross-sector partnership with Micron Technology, Inc. to develop bold, potentially…
