NSF 75th Anniversary: December 2024 Newsletter

 

As we approach the U.S. National Science Foundation's 75th anniversary on May 10, 2025, I am pleased to introduce the first issue of our newsletter. This milestone invites us to reflect on NSF's enduring impact on discovery, innovation and education since 1950. Each month, we will share stories of groundbreaking research and transformative initiatives that have shaped our world, while looking ahead to the future of science and engineering. Join us in commemorating this legacy by engaging in the events, stories and opportunities that will mark this historic moment. Sethuraman Panchanathan Director, U.S. National Science Foundation   If you are not yet subscribed and would like to continue receiving these monthly updates, please sign up below to stay connected. Sign Up Upcoming Events and Activities  NSF STEM Day Join NSF and museums and science centers nationwide for a day of engagement and learning on NSF's anniversary. More details to come in January 2025. Community Events We are collaborating with NSF-invested centers and facilities on their existing community activities. Visit our website for a list of in-person and virtual events near you. NSF Game Maker Awards Accepting entries through Jan. 31, 2025 NSF is inviting K-12 students to design their own video game inspired by science and the theme "Life in 2100." Students will compete for prizes and recognition in this first-ever competition. NSF Impacts 3D printing, a type of additive manufacturing, experienced a revolution this century. We used to think of it as a tool for hobbyists or industries needing quick prototypes, but it has a more robust life and history than many realize. NSF invests in thousands of scientists, from early precursors in the 1970s to researchers who continue to develop this technology. From building new food to creating new materials for things like satellites, 3D printing is wide-ranging. Research centers like NSF SHAP3D support this ever-growing field. Read more about 3D-printing technology. This Month in NSF History President Harry Truman held the initial National Science Board (NSB) meeting at the White House on Dec. 12, 1950. At the meeting, James B. Conant, president of Harvard University, was elected NSB chair. The board held 16 meetings in the first year with 83.7% attendance. The first NSB included two African Americans, two women and two Catholic priests who were also scientists, as per instruction from the White House Office of Management and Budget. Responsibility for the United States Earth satellite program was assigned to NSF, the U.S. National Committee for the International Geophysical Year and the U.S. Department of Defense. The first test firing was on Dec. 8, 1956, and was successful. A second test was done in May the following year. There are now close to 10,000 active satellites orbiting the Earth. In December 1996, FastLane received the National Information Infrastructure Award for Excellence and Innovation. You can read more about the award in this NSF news release from 1996 and in Thomas Misa and Jeffrey Yost's book "FastLane: Managing Science in the Internet World." Get involved in NSF's 75th anniversary commemoration As we memorialize NSF's 75th anniversary, we encourage you to get involved and help us highlight the transformative impact of NSF-supported research and innovation. Visit the 75th-anniversary website for more information about this milestone, upcoming events and stories of discovery. Communications professionals can visit the NSF 75th Anniversary Portal to access a variety of useful outreach graphics and tools. Learn more

Additional Resources WHO IS NSF? For more than 70 years the U.S National Science Foundation has funded basic research that has transformed our lives. For a glimpse into who we are and what we do, watch this video.   WEBSITE For special resources, galleries and a closer look at our various research areas, visit our website. MULTIMEDIA GALLERY Our Multimedia Gallery has some of the most stunning images for you to use as a virtual background. Multimedia Gallery.   FACT SHEETS Concise, factual summaries describing NSF at a Glance, By the Numbers, or other science topics, please visit this page.