Nanotechnology + MSPs = Nanotechnology Education Partnerships

Among other provisions, the recently introduced “National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act of 2008” (HR 5940) would add a new type of partnership focused on nanotechnology education to the Math and Science Partnership (MSP) program at NSF. These new partnerships within the MSP program would be known as “Nanotechnology Education Partnerships.” The bill was recently passed by the House Committee on Science and Technology and thereby sent to the House floor for eventual consideration. Rep. Bart Gordon, the Tennessean who chairs the Committee, is the sponsor of the bill and is joined by 24 cosponsors.

The bill directs NSF to provide one or more grants to establish “Nanotechnology Education Partnerships.” According to the legislation, the traditional partnerships—generally involving IHEs or nonprofits partnering with LEAs—would necessarily include at least one business “engaged in the production of nanoscale materials, products, or devices.” The aim of the partnerships would be to contribute to the overall MSP goal of improving student performance in math and science, while focusing specifically on encouraging students to take postsecondary courses in nanotechnology. As stated in the bill, this would be done by using the NSF grants for at least the following three purposes:

- “professional development activities to enable secondary school teachers to use curricular materials incorporating nanotechnology and to inform teachers about career possibilities for students in nanotechnology;

- “enrichment programs for students, including access to nanotechnology facilities and equipment at partner institutions, to increase their understanding of nanoscale science and technology and to inform them about career possibilities in nanotechnology as scientists, engineers, and technicians; and

- “identification of appropriate nanotechnology educational materials and incorporation of nanotechnology into the curriculum for secondary school students at one or more organizations participating in a Partnership.”

Triangle Coalition, among numerous other organizations, supports this new area of applicability for the Math and Science Partnership program at NSF. Vote below to express your opinion about this bill (the poll is run through Washington Watch, and reflects the votes of visitors to their site as well). And, as always, continue to follow the progress of this and other bills via our STEM Ed. Bill Database.

Update: The bill was passed by the House on June 5 by a vote of 407-6; it was then sent to the Senate and referred to its Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.