The Science and Technology Centers: Integrative Partnerships (STC)

1
The Science and Technology Centers Integrative
Partnerships (STC)
The STC Program Vision The NSF Perspective

• Nathaniel G. PittsDirector, Office of
  Integrative Activities
• November 17, 1999

2
Overview

• Program Origin
• Program Goals
• Program Evaluation Criteria

3
Program Origin

• Congressional Pressures
• Cross-Disciplinary Research
• Math and Science Education and Training of
  Americans
• U.S. Science and Engineering Workforce
• National Science Board
• NSF Senior Staff

4
STCs...A VERY RISKY BUSINESS

• Risk in research outcomes
• Risk in educational goals
• Management Risk

5
Awardees vs. Declinees

• Value Added
• Regional or National Impact
• Demonstrated commitment of Institutions
• Leadership

6
Built on the backs of the original STCs

• Think of it like a small business
• Seek sound external advice
• Institutionalize education and diversity issues
• Communication, Communication, Communication

7
The Science and Technology Centers Integrative
Partnerships (STC)

• WHAT ABOUT YEAR ELEVEN?
• Better yet,,,,,
• WHAT ABOUT YEAR FIVE?

8
The Business Concept

• Good Management Principles
• Communication considerations
• Strategic Planning
• Accountability Issues
• Board of Directors (Advisory Body)
• Your research and student products

9
NSF in a Changing World

• 3 overarching goals
• world class science
• promote discovery in service to society
• excellence in science math and engineering
  education
• 4 core strategies
• strengthening physical infrastructure
• integrating research and education
• promote partnerships
• developing intellectual capital
• Equal value for research and education.

10
Issues possible to approach in this mode of
support

• Connectivity of the community for various items
  (research, education, communications)
• What the internet affords
• Partnerships in research, education
• (U/I U/U U/State U/Fed U/INT) too numerous
  to enumerate all
• International issues
• Education over the web (curriculum reform)
• Models for dissemination
• Collaboration competencies
• Innovative and non-traditional uses of
  technologies/communications

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The Science and Technology Centers Integrative
Partnerships (STC)

• Research efforts not before possible
• Involvement of researchers in education efforts
  at a different level
• (bring your creative juices to bear on the k-12
  education system of this nation..with
  institutionalization of models in mind)
• Not feel good education and outreach
• A cultural Change agent on campuses

12
Lets talk money!

• Growing agency dollar-wise (4B to 10B)
• Center mode of support
• Innovative uses of technologies, communications,
  business practices
• Blue Ribbon Panel sufficient funds to support
  vision
• Other proposals possible, but not for your core
  functions

13
Complexity

• In research problems approached
• In student products prepared-the next generation
• U.S. Students the minority population
• Underrepresented groups in science and
  Engineering
• Congress
• Education of general population
• Why do U.S. taxpayers pay for basic research?
• We need you to develop systems to help make the
  case that the general public will understand
• In partnership management and communication
• In coordination of this multifaceted enterprise

14
The Science and Technology Centers Integrative
Partnerships (STC)

• Built on the shoulders of your predecessors
• Prior evaluations
• Prior reviews
• Prior audits
• Review types and number of reviews
• Available dollars for centers
• Education models and what is possible
• Internet uses
• Timeframe
• Management principles
• Productivity
• Connections/connectivity (National Network)

15
The Science and Technology Centers Integrative
Partnerships (STC)

• We want, Need, and expect your Center to be
  successful!