Efforts to increase the number of undergraduate majors in mathematics and science-based fields range from those of individual professors and departments to national projects. The National Science Foundation (NSF) has recently announced a new program initiative in this area. The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program (STEP) aims to increase the number of US citizens and permanent residents receiving associate or bachelors degrees in mathematics, engineering, or other science. As is common with new programs, the funding available for the first year, approximately $5 million, will restrict this year's grants to planning and pilot efforts.
Full proposals are due by 3 June 2002; FastLane submission is required. Projects may involve a single institution of higher education, a consortium of institutions, or collaboration of an institution with business partners. In the case of associate-degree granting schools where degrees are not granted in all science, engineering or mathematics (STEM) fields, the school must demonstrate a record of articulation with STEM baccalaureate programs. Collaborative efforts are encouraged.
A proposal may focus on a subset of STEM fields, but must not gain enrollment in these fields at the expense of other STEM majors. Appropriate proposals might include one or more of the following aspects:
The NSF anticipates making 10-15 awards for 2-3 year projects in this first round of STEP awards. Cost sharing will not be required. The maximum award level is related to current institution enrollments and duration of the project. In addition to the customary review criteria for NSF Division of Undergraduate Education proposals, STEP proposals will be evaluated for overall vision of the institution to achieve a substantial increase in STEM enrollments, justification of the likelihood of proposal success, reasonable benchmarks for progress, and probability of across-the-board increase in STEM students.
For further details, consult http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2002.
The Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement (CCLI) program now comes in three flavors: Educational Materials Development (CCLI-EMD), National Dissemination (CCLI-ND), and Adaptation and Implementation (CCLI-A&I). Program solicitations for EMD and ND proposals are currently available with a submission deadline of 30 June 2002. The solicitation for A&I proposals is being developed with an anticipated submission deadline of December 2002. All three tracks encourage collaborative efforts of two- and four-year institutions.
EMD projects may either demonstrate the feasibility of an idea or prototype or develop fully a product or practice. Materials developed are expected to be disseminated nationally. ND projects should focus on professional development opportunities on a national scale. These opportunities should help faculty incorporate new content into courses and explore effective teaching practices. A&I proposals should be designed to improve STEM education through the adaptation and implementation of exemplary materials or practices developed and tested at other institutions.
More information may be found at the NSF website http://www.nsf.gov.
This is the first of a series of columns on funding opportunities by Sharon Cutler Ross.