IEEE-USA Eye on Washington No. 19

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Vol. 2009, No. 19 (2 November 2009)
125 Years of Innovation and Ingenuity

CAPITOL HILL

House Considers NIST Role in Advancing Cybersecurity

KIds Should Start Engineering Education Early

National Computer Science Education Week

Nomination Hearing for NIST Director

THE WHITE HOUSE

FEDERAL AGENCY ACTIVITY

Standards Identified for Inclusion in the Smart Grid Interoperability Standards Framework, Release 1.0

NIST Seeks Nominations for Membership on the Smart Grid Interoperability Panel Governing Board

REPORTS, DOCUMENTS OF NOTE & INFO RESOURCES

Accelerating Innovation in 21 st Century Biosciences: Identifying the Measurement Standards and Technological Challenges

Final Report: Review of U.S. Human Spaceflight Plans Committee

National Commission on Energy Policy Reports

U.S. STATES

AWARDS & GRANTS

LATEST IEEE-USA & IEEE ACTIVITIES

IEEE-USA and Small Business Administration Partner to Assist High-Tech Entrepreneurs

WISE 2010 - Seeking Student and FMR Applications

CAPITOL HILL

House Considers NIST Role in Advancing Cybersecurity

22 OCT: The House Science Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing to review the recommendations made in the May 2009 Cyberspace Policy Review pertaining to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the proposed reorganization of the NIST Information Technology Laboratory. The hearing was the Committee's fourth on cybersecurity this year, and was intended to inform development of legislation later this year. For witness comments and the chairman's opening remarks, visit the committee's site. The Cyberspace Policy Review,recognized that the task of addressing cybersecurity concerns comprehensively would be a difficult process, owing to the number of federal departments and agencies involved with overlapping authorities.

Kids Should Start Engineering Education Early

The Subcommittee on Research and Science Education explored the potential benefits of incorporating engineering education at the K-12 level by examining current models.

"I suspect that many innovative teachers have been including engineering in their classrooms for years without explicitly calling it such," said Subcommittee Ranking Member Vernon Ehlers (R-MI). "However, there is a benefit to students knowing that it is indeed engineering they are learning and how it may be applied in the workforce." Ehlers noted that, "to advance K-12 engineering education, it will be necessary to improve communication and collaboration between the various science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines."

STEM education research and activities are funded by a number of federal agencies, with the National Science Foundation (NSF) being the primary source of support for STEM education research. Historically, NSF's mission has included supporting and strengthening the nation's STEM research and education activities at all levels. NSF funds research on K-12 engineering education as well as a variety of K-12 engineering education activities ranging from teacher training to curriculum development.

Representing NSF at the hearing, Dr. Thomas Peterson, Assistant Director for Engineering, clarified NSF's role in supporting K-12 STEM education. "The NSF is not about providing long-term and sustained funding for programs," Peterson pointed out. "We provide the support for new ideas, new curricula, new approaches to engineering education and educational pedagogy. We provide that support for targeted programs in schools and institutions with new and creative ideas."

One such targeted program discussed at today's hearing is the Martha and Josh Morriss Mathematics and Engineering Elementary School, located in Texarkana, Texas. The school is part of a collaborative effort between Texas A&M University and the Texarkana Independent School District, offering a structured K-16 pathway for students to become interested in STEM fields and to eventually earn a bachelors degree in engineering. Such collaboration has shown demonstrated success, and could be a model for similar collaborations nationwide.

Describing the benefits of focusing on real-life engineering models at an early age, Mr. Rick Sandlin, Principal of the Martha and Josh Morriss Mathematics and Engineering Elementary School, described the groundbreaking curricula they are using. "Morriss Elementary curriculum is standards-based, integrated and connected to the lives of learners," Sandlin said. "The curriculum is designed to be compelling - to move beyond information and support the transfer of learning. The goal of Morriss Elementary is to facilitate integrated, higher level critical thinking which promotes STEM education."

National Computer Science Education Week

On October 20th, the House unanimously approved H. Res. 558, a resolution introduced by Committee on Science and Technology Vice Ranking Member Vernon Ehlers (R-MI), supporting computer science and the designation of a National Computer Science Education Week.

"I am very pleased that today we are considering a resolution which turns our attention to the coming shortage of computer scientists," Ehlers said. "You know that I have spent a lot of my time in Congress fighting for improved research and education, particularly education in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or ‘STEM.' I believe these subjects hold special promise for the future of our nation and its workforce, and it is very critical that all of our nation's students receive a foundation in STEM. This prepares students to become the innovators of tomorrow. Without innovation, our nation and its economy will be on a declining path."

Computing technology and the innovations it yields are transforming our world and are critical to the global competitiveness of our economy. According to a study by the Computer Science Teachers Association, even in schools which employ computer science teachers, only a little more than half of the schools offer introductory courses in computer science, and the number of course offerings are declining. If we do not reverse that trend, we will become a second-class nation.

"By introducing students to computer science at an early age and providing them with learning experiences in computer science at all educational levels, we can reverse this trend and expand and diversify our technology workforce, and, above all, train our students for the jobs of the future," Ehlers noted.

Ehlers also expressed appreciation to Professor Joel Adams, a computer science professor at Calvin College (home to several past WISE participants and 2005 IEEE-USA Government fellow, Dr. Randy Brouwer), who first alerted Ehlers to the declining enrollments in computer science training. To raise awareness about the challenges facing computer science education, H. Res 558 designates the week of December 7 as National Computer Science Education Week to honor the birthday of Grace Murray Hopper, one of the first female computer scientists.

Nomination Hearing for NIST Director

15 OCT: The webcast of Dr. Gallagher's nomination hearing for NIST Director is available to view at the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee's website. The introduction by Senator Tom Udall of Dr. Gallagher begins at 78:00 on the counter in the lower left hand.

THE WHITE HOUSE

None at this time.

FEDERAL AGENCY ACTIVITY

Standards Identified for Inclusion in the Smart Grid Interoperability Standards Framework, Release 1.0

NIST is mandated by Congress in the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 to coordinate the development of a framework of protocols and model standards to achieve interoperability of the Smart Grid. The initial set of standards and specifications is listed on NIST's website. Release 1.0 is a work in progress. It is not complete, nor is it exclusionary. Existing standards that do not appear in this first installment to Release 1.0 have not been eliminated from consideration. Moreover, standards currently on the list ultimately may not be included.

NIST Seeks Nominations for Membership on the Smart Grid Interoperability Panel Governing Board

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Department of Commerce - Smart Grid Interoperability Panel Governing Board, request for nominations; and request for comments on draft Smart Grid Interoperability Panel Charter and Bylaws - The National Institute of Standards and Technology, on behalf of its contractor, EnerNex Corp., seeks nominations for members to
serve on an initial Smart Grid Interoperability Panel Governing Board (SGIPGB), which will consist of approximately 27 voting members. EnerNex Corp. was competitively selected to help NIST establish and administer the Smart Grid Interoperability Panel (SGIP) and its Governing Board, which will identify, prioritize and address new and emerging requirements for Smart Grid interoperability and security. Approximately 22 members of the SGIP Governing Board will be elected by stakeholder categories as listed in the draft SGIP Charter and Bylaws, which are posted on the Internet.

Three SGIPGB members will be at-large members, and two will be the chairs of two SGIP Committees. The SGIPGB will also have several ex officio, non- voting members who will not be elected. All seats are open, and candidates are sought from each stakeholder category, as well as for the at-large positions.

NIST and EnerNex Corp. also request comments on the SGIP draft Charter and Bylaws, which are posted on the Internet at the Web site given above. Comments on this document can be made directly to the document's online comment section.

DATES: Nominations for the SGIPGB must be received on or before November 27, 2009. Nominations received by November 6, 2009, will be considered to be placed on the ballot for the initial SGIP Governing Board. Nominations received after that date will be considered for any positions for which nominations were not received by November 6, 2009, and for vacancies that may occur prior to the next call for candidates. Comments on the SGIP Charter and Bylaws received before Nov. 6, 2009 will be incorporated into the initial documents. Comments received after that date will be considered for later amendments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Arnold, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 8100, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8100, telephone (301) 975-5627.

REPORTS, DOCUMENTS OF NOTE & INFO RESOURCES

Accelerating Innovation in 21 st Century Biosciences: Identifying the Measurement Standards and Technological Challenges - Conference hosted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute (UMBI), 19-22 October 2008. The conference program, presentations, and list of attendees, can be found on the following web site.

Final Report: Review of U.S. Human Spaceflight Plans Committee - Norman Augustine, chairman of the Review of U.S. Human Spaceflight Plans Committee, held a press conference on october 22nd to release their final report.

National Commission on Energy Policy Reports

Since 2002, the National Commission on Energy Policy--a bipartisan group of 20 of the nation's leading energy experts representing the industry, government, academia, labor, consumer and environmental protection—has been advising Congress, the Executive Branch, States and other policymakers regarding long-term U.S. policy. In December 2004, the Commission released a long-term energy strategy, Ending the Energy Stalemate: A Bipartisan Strategy to Meet America’s Energy Challenges based on more than 35 original research studies and two years deliberation that reached consensus. Many key elements of plan were adopted in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The Commission issued additional recommendations in 2007, including specific legislative approaches to increasing US automotive fuel economy for the first time in 30 years, which were adopted into law by Congress in 2007.

The Commission continues to identify and address the political and analytical barriers to energy policy reform and conduct outreach to government, business, NGO and other communities. By taking a bipartisan approach, and seeking to connect the expertise and objectivity of scientific research with political realities, the Commission seeks both to build on and distinguish itself from past energy policy efforts. In 2009 and 2010, the Commission will focus, in particular, on three critical long-term issues: oil security, climate change, and energy infrastructure adequacy and siting.

U.S. STATES

Stateline.org If you like to keep up with what's going on in state politics, StateLine.org provides a good overview of the activities in all 50 state legislatures.

Stateline.org's annual report on state trends and policy, "State of the States 2009" is now available. The report is full of helpful graphics and maps, in addition to reports on the most significant developments in the 50 states.

AWARDS & GRANTS

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Opportunities - The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) (Public Law 111-8) appropriates significant federal funding for technology-related programs in areas identified by IEEE-USA as being of high priority for strengthening the nation's innovation infrastructure and ensuring its long-term economic competitiveness. To stimulate the economy, funds are being distributed as quickly as possible, using existing federal programs as funding outlets where possible. This webpage provides information and links on these funding opportunities as a resource for IEEE members and their companies. Additional information is available on-line at Recovery.Gov. Members should also look to funds distributed through their respective state governments.

AAAS GrantsNet Express - A weekly American Association for the Advancement of Science listing of science funding opportunities from private foundations and organizations, and new U.S. government grant announcements in the sciences. AAAS will send GrantsNet by e-mail to AAAS member subscribers.

Grants.gov - The President's 2002 Fiscal Year Management Agenda established grants.gov as a central storehouse for information on over 1,000 grant programs. The site provides access to approximately $400 billion in annual awards. Most agencies, such as the DOE's Office of Science, use only grants.gov to list all funding opportunities. Other funding opportunities of interest include the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and NASA.

AAAS: Communicating Science, Tools for Scientists & Engineers

Scientists and engineers who foster information-sharing and respect between science and the public are essential for the public communication of and engagement with science. Although traditional scientific training typically does not prepare scientists and engineers to be effective communicators outside of academia, funding agencies are increasingly encouraging researchers to extend beyond peer-reviewed publishing and communicate their results directly to the greater public. In response to this need in science communications, the AAAS Center for Public Engagement with Science and Technology has partnered with the National Science Foundation to provide resources for scientists and engineers, both online and through in-person workshops to help researchers communicate more broadly with the public.

Communicating Science online resources include webinars, how-to tips for media interviews, strategies for identifying public outreach opportunities, and more. Additionally, AAAS is providing workshops for scientists and engineers interested in learning more about science communication tools and techniques are now available. The schedule of NSF-sponsored workshops for the 2009-10 academic year has been updated and pre-registration is open. Please contact AAAS if you are interested in hosting a workshop at your institution.

LATEST IEEE-USA & IEEE ACTIVITIES

Public Policy Priority Issues (111th Congress, 1st Session, 2009)
Position Statements - The statements identify important technical or engineering career-related aspects of public policy issues deemed to be of concern to or affecting IEEE's U.S. members; and make specific public policy recommendations for the consideration of Congress, the Executive Branch, the Judiciary, representatives of State and Local Government, and other interested groups and individuals, including IEEE members.

IEEE-USA and Small Business Administration Partner to Assist High-Tech Entrepreneurs - To assist high-tech entrepreneurs starting new businesses, IEEE-USA and the U.S. Small Business Administration have signed an agreement pledging mutual cooperation in promoting, strengthening and expanding small business development throughout the country. According to IEEE-USA President Gordon Day, the agreement will benefit IEEE members who are starting their own technology-based businesses.

WISE 2010

Call for WISE 2010 Faculty-Member-In-Residence - If you are an outstanding faculty member or policy professional, WISE needs you to mentor and teach engineering students about the interaction between S&T and policymaking during the 2010 WISE Program in Washington, DC. (PDF Flyer) The deadline for applications is 31 January 2010.

WISE 2010 - The application period for the summer 2010 program is now open. You will find application forms for all of the sponsoring societies here. The deadline for applications is 31 December 2009.

Have an Idea For an IEEE-USA E-Book? - If you've got an idea for an e-book that will educate your fellow IEEE members on a particular topic of expertise, e-mail your e-book queries and ideas to IEEE-USA Publishing Manager Georgia Stelluto.

IEEE-USA Stimulus Webpage -The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) (Public Law 111-8) appropriates significant federal funding for technology-related programs in areas identified by IEEE-USA as being of high priority for strengthening the nation's innovation infrastructure and ensuring its long-term economic competitiveness. To stimulate the economy, funds are being distributed as quickly as possible, using existing federal programs as funding outlets where possible. This webpage provides information and links on these funding opportunities as a resource for IEEE members and their companies. Additional information is available on-line at Recovery.Gov. Members should also look to funds distributed through their respective state governments.

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