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GOAL: Achieving excellence in U.S. science, mathematics, engineering and technology 

 education at all levels. 



Research Project Support: Research Projects contribute to the education and training of the 

 next generation of scientists and engineers by giving them the opportunity to participate in 

 discovery-oriented projects NSF centers provide an alternative and enhanced environment for 

 broad interdisciplinary education at all levels while maintaining the highest standards of intellectual 

 excellence 



Antarctic Research and Education: Live from Antarctica. Modern communications 

 technologies have enabled NSF to bring antarctic science to classrooms around the United 

 States. In the 1994-1995 antarctic summer, the pioneering public television series, Live from 

 Antarctica, offered students in middle schools and high schools four hour-long "electronic field 

 trips." The live telecasts allowed students to see and examine Antarctica's harsh environment 

 and its research projects (weather, biology, animal life, etc.) with the guidance of the 

 researchers in the field, including researchers at South Pole Station Students from several 

 sites around the country interacted with NSF funded scientists 



The programs were broadcast across the United States, on public television, and reached 

 thousands of classrooms in 46 states There were follow-up question and answer sessions via 

 the Internet. With a small investment, this $750,000 project - with support from several 

 Federal agencies and private-sector organizations in addition to NSF - demonstrates how the 

 combination of distant, exotic regions or phenomena, new technologies, and the expertise of 

 NSF-funded researchers can inform and educate the public about contemporary science, as 

 well as to motivate and inspire young people. 



The father of a sixth-grader wrote, "I've never seen a science project that was more alive with 

 the breath of what it means to do the work of science " One hearing-impaired student pointed 

 out that using the electronic medium for learning has the effect of "equalizing" the educational 

 playing field for hearing impaired or other physically challenged students An early evaluation 

 of 128 teacher responses representing 272 classrooms and 6,559 students indicated that 99 

 percent were able to integrate the project fully or partially into their teaching goals and 

 objectives. The same percentage said they are likely to use the materials again with a new 

 class of students 



• Ocean Drilling Program (ODP). The ODP is a multinational program of basic research in 

 the marine geosciences supported through NSF and six international partners Over the last 

 twelve years, NSF has invested approximately $270 million in the ODP, 60% of the total 

 international effort, as well as $49 million in U.S. science support associated with the drilling 

 program (which includes US educational activities) The program uses a drilling vessel, the 

 JOIDES Resolution, to recover sediment cores and geochemical and geophysical logs from 

 the continental margins and deep oceans NSF's investment in this program has led to 

 improved understanding of plate tectonic processes, of the earth's crustal structure and 

 composition, of conditions in ancient oceans and of changes in climate through time 



The ODP has always recognized that a strong education component is essential for 

 maintaining the U.S.'s competitive lead in drilling research The program has sought to 

 incorporate educational opportunities, for students at all levels of schooling, into its research 

 activities Educational support has primarily been through fellowships and scholarships 

 granted to undergraduate and graduate students In particular, the ODP has emphasized its 

 doctoral fellowship program which provides students an opportunity to do research, largely of 

 their own choice, which is compatible with the research interests of the drilling program 

 Since the fellowship program in the Geosciences began in 1987, it has awarded $20,000/year 

 fellowships to four or five students each year Most fellows conduct their research aboard the 



