IEEE-USA Eye On Washington, No 15, 2011

What's New @ IEEE-USA - Eye On Washington

Vol. 2011, No. 15 (9 December 2011)

Each year, outstanding engineering students are selected to spend nine weeks in Washington, D.C., learning about the public policy process, including how government officials make decisions on complex technological issues and how engineers can contribute to legislative and regulatory public policy decisions. WISE seeks applications from outstanding engineering students who display evidence of leadership skills and have a keen interest in public policy. Minority students are encouraged to apply. Applicants should select a sponsoring society(s), fill out an application form (documents linked), write two (2) brief essays in response to questions, arrange for two (2)faculty references, and forward an official transcript. The deadline for 2012 is 31 December 2011.

Seeking 2013 Government Fellows Applications
Linking Science, Technology & Engineering Professionals with Government

Each year, IEEE-USA sponsors three government fellowships for qualified IEEE members. The fellows — chosen by the IEEE-USA Government Fellows Committee and confirmed by the Board — spend a year in Washington serving as advisers to the U.S. Congress and to key U.S. Department of State decision-makers. Known as either a Congressional Fellowship or an Engineering & Diplomacy Fellowship, this program links science, technology and engineering professionals with government, and provides a mechanism for IEEE's U.S. members to learn firsthand about the public policy process while imparting their knowledge and experience to policymakers. The application forms for 2013 are available online. (State; Congressional) The deadline for 2013 is Friday, 16 March 2012. (View upcoming webinar.)

House Subcommittee Explored Coordinated Research into Energy Critical Elements

The House Science Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing to examine research needs and priorities relating to Energy Critical Elements (ECE), most notably “rare earths,” and to examine H.R. 2090, the Energy Critical Elements Advancement Act of 2011, a bill introduced by Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-IL).China currently holds a position of market dominance of these elements, which are essential for advanced energy technologies. As a result of a deliberate and decades-long strategy to develop its geologic reserves, in 2010 China produced over 90 percent of the global supply of rare earths.China recently reduced export quotas and increased levies on exported rare earth oxides in an attempt to exploit its position and manipulate the market.

Discussing the market reaction to China’s actions, Subcommittee Chairman Andy Harris (R-MD) said “In light of higher prices, producers in the U.S. and ally nations have announced plans to develop rare earth reserves around the world and companies such as Toyota and General Electric are pursuing demand reductions through R&D on recycling, substitute materials and increased use efficiencies.”Harris continued, “While a responsive market will continue to drive toward solutions, there are reasonable and proper steps the federal government can and should pursue in this area.”

Mr. Rick Howard, Program Director, James Webb Space Telescope, NASA

Dr. Roger Blandford, Professor of Physics, Stanford University

Dr. Garth Illingworth, Professor & Astronomer, UCO/Lick Observatory, University of California, Santa Cruz

Mr. Jeffrey D. Grant, Sector Vice President & General Manager, Space Systems Division, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems

Witnesses Discuss Challenges for the James Webb Space Telescope

The House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing on the progress and remaining challenges associated with completing the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Committee Chairman Ralph Hall (R-TX) conveyed support for JWST and the advances it would bring to the scientific community, while echoing several Members’ concerns about cost overruns.“The telescope would far surpass in size, power, and capability any previous space-based observatory launched by NASA and will enable new observations into the deepest corners of our universe,” Hall said.However, regarding the project’s cost overruns in the current fiscal environment, Hall said, “In my view, NASA’s latest replan for the James Webb Space Telescope is the agency’s last opportunity to hold this program together.”

JWST was ranked as the number one priority by the National Academy of Sciences in their decadal survey published in 2001.JWST has mirrors six times the size of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), which must be packaged in a rocket before being deployed in space.Adding to the difficulty of project, there will be no chance for repairs after launch, so the planning and development has been a massive undertaking.JWST’s original budget estimate by the National Academies in 2001 was $1 billion.In 2008, NASA’s first cost and schedule commitment put the project’s baseline estimate at $5 billion with a launch readiness date of 2014.The project is now expected to cost $8.85 billion, with a target launch date of October 2018.

Witnesses:

The National STEM Video Game Challenge isofficially open. The challenge aims to motivate interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning by tapping into students’ natural passion for playing and making video games. This competition is the culmination and continuation of a two-year effort among the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the White House, the Department of Education’s Digital Promise Initiative and other public/private partners and co-sponsors.

The annual competition is accepting submissions of original video game concepts and designs in four different categories: the Middle School Category, High School Category, Collegiate Category, and Educator Category.This year, there are also new sub-categories available to entering designers: the PBS KIDS stream and the Sesame Street stream.For more information and rules, click here.

The Challengeasks children and educators to use the technology that students love to help them learn the subjects they need to become the global innovators of tomorrow.Entries are accepted from November 15, 2011 through March 12, 2012.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) initiated the SGIP to support NIST in fulfilling its responsibility, under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, to coordinate standards development for the Smart Grid. Established in late 2009, the SGIP is a public/private partnership that defines requirements for essential communication protocols and other common specifications and coordinates development of these standards by collaborating organizations. The SGIP is comprised of over 700 member organizations representing 22 stakeholder categories, including federal agencies as well as state and local regulators. More than 1,800 individuals are participating in SGIP activities. Membership is free and open to all organizations interested in achieving the Smart Grid vision. (Upcoming meetings and events)

President ordered a top-to-bottom review of the Government’s cyberspace policy. The resulting Cyberspace Policy Review challenged Federal agencies to develop a targeted set of cybersecurity research priorities to “change the game” so that cyberspace can become safer and more trustworthy—key to facilitating continued growth of the Nation’s digital infrastructure. The cybersecurity R&D strategic plan being released today is in direct response to the near-term action plan of the Cyberspace Policy Review and seeks to enhance and focus our cybersecurity research and development efforts by setting forth coordinated Federal strategic priorities and research objectives.

Under the leadership of the National Science and Technology Council’s Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) Program, Federal agencies have been engaged in a number of public discussions with a broad range of stakeholders to solicit input and help guide the research prioritization process. For example, during the National Cyber Leap Year Summit of 2009, approximately 150 invited researchers and technological innovators from across the Nation convened to review five prospective game-changing themes for cybersecurity. Several of the key ideas and objectives in the new strategic plan are outgrowths of that event. As a research and development strategy, this plan defines four strategic thrusts:

Given the magnitude and pervasiveness of cyberspace threats to our economy and national security, it is imperative that we fundamentally alter the dynamics in cybersecurity through the development of novel solutions and technologies. The Federal government is in a unique position to leverage its fundamental research resources to address the underlying causes of cybersecurity problems. Using this strategic plan as a road map, sustained efforts in these areas will result in a more secure and trustworthy cyberspace. OSTP invites researchers and innovators in industry and academia to join in the effort. For more information about the NITRD Program and the research themes, please visit http://www.nitrd.gov and ttp://cybersecurity.nitrd.gov.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) released a Federal Register Notice seeking written comments on potential locations for USPTO satellite offices. “Establishing satellite offices in geographically diverse areas of the country will allow the agency to better recruit and retain talented patent professionals and allow the agency to better interact with the applicant community,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO David Kappos. (press release)

NSF Joins in Targeting Educators to Celebrate Computer Science Education Week 2011

In recognition of Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) 2011, Dec. 4 to 10, the National Science Foundation (NSF) today began publishing and disseminating CS Bits & Bytes, one-page newsletters spotlighting innovative computer science research. Computer science is the only STEM--science, technology, engineering and mathematics--disclipine with more job openings than there are college graduates to fill them. Leadership in NSF's directorate for Computer Information Science and Engineering (CISE) is working to address this underproduction problem by promoting ways to make computer science more engaging and acessible in the K-12 arena.

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.

Pennsylvania DCED: New Investments Helping Grow Nanotechnology Industry Statewide

Pennsylvania has set aside $3.15 million for university research into nanotechnology. The Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority is accepting grant applications through Dec. 31 for the University Research Commercialization Grant Program on nanotechnology R&D.

"This program will support technology growth and collaboration among Pennsylvania's higher education institutions and technology-oriented businesses," said Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary C. Alan Walker in a prepared statement. Applications are available online at the DCED website.

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.

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Solicitations - The majority of EERE financial opportunities are for business, industry, and universities.

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.

The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2012-2013 California Science and Technology Policy Fellowships based in Sacramento. The S&T Policy Fellowship, a unique one-year professional development opportunity, provides the selected fellows with hands-on experience working with the California Legislature to incorporate science and technology into public policy. Eligible applicants will be Ph.D.-level (or equivalent) scientists and engineers who have a sincere interest in California current events, the state legislative process, and a strong desire to learn how policy decisions are made. Deadline for submission of applications is February 29, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. PST. More information is available at http://fellows.ccst.us.

To boost the pipeline of science and high tech workers needed for the future workforce, the nation’s universities must focus on recruiting and retaining a diverse student population, according to findings from a study commissioned by Pittsburgh's Bayer Corp. This is the 15th installment of the Bayer Facts of Science Education survey and the fifth to focus on diversity within science technology engineering and math (STEM) education.Particularly interesting was the genesis for this year’s survey, a question from last year that found that 40 percent of the country’s working female and minority chemists and chemical engineers were discouraged from pursuing their STEM career.

What's New @ IEEE-USA's Eye on Washington highlights important federal legislative and regulatory developments that affect U.S. engineers and their careers. In addition to this biweekly newsletter, subscribers receive legislative bulletins and action alerts on IEEE-USA priority issues, including: retirement security, employment benefits, research & development funding, computers and information policy, immigration reform, intellectual property protection and privacy of health/medical information.