In this issue:
ASME BOARD ON EDUCATION COMMENTS ON ADMINISTRATION'S DRAFT DESIGN PRINCIPLES FOR FEDERAL STEM EDUCATION PROGRAM
On June 15th, the ASME Board on Education submitted comments on the draft National Science and Technology Council's (NSTC) Committee on STEM Education (CoSTEM) "Design Principles for Federal STEM Education Investments."
The America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 calls for the NSTC CoSTEM to create a 5-year Federal STEM education strategic plan. In February 2012, the CoSTEM released the "Coordinating Federal Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Investments: Progress Report" along with the President's 2013 budget request, and the 5-year strategic plan will be published later this year. The final strategic plan will "describe the approaches that will be taken by each participating agency to assess the effectiveness of its STEM education programs and activities." NSF sought comments for COSTEM on the draft design principles through June 15th.
In the Board on Education response to the draft design principles, ASME Vice President for Education Mo Hosni said, "The ASME Board on Education and the STEM Education Coalition (of which ASME is the engineering co-chair) both support comprehensive and strategic efforts to coordinate, evaluate, and review all federal STEM programs on a regular basis to ensure that effective programs are scaled up and that underperforming programs are improved or eliminated. Therefore, the ASME Board on Education is pleased to see the proposed general investment design principles, which apply to all federal STEM investments and recommend that (federal) agencies create or regularly update logic models or theory-of-action documents, management plans, and evaluation strategies for each investment.
Increasing the participation of women and underrepresented groups in the U.S. STEM workforce is also essential to bolster the percentage of the U.S. technically-trained workforce. Given the changing demographics of the United States and the global imperative to diversify the STEM workforce, the ASME Board on Education is also very supportive of the specific proposed design principles related to investments serving underrepresented groups. We would like to recommend adding the following bullet to help strengthen these principles: Specify the goal and measurably quantify the targeted increase of underrepresentation that is attainable based on the amount of investment resources, planned actions and time duration allowed, i.e. develop SMART goals (specific, measurable, actionable/achievable, realistic/relevant and time bound) for each investment."
The ASME Board on Education full statement is now available at: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/advocacy-government-relations/position-statements
The ASME Board on Education also recently commented on the first draft of the next generation science standards, This response is also available at: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/advocacy-government-relations/position-statements
Melissa Carl handles public policy-related science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) issues for ASME. She can be reached at: carlm@asme.org
SCIENCE COMMITTEE HOLDS HEARING TO EXAMINE THE PRIORITIES AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE NATION'S SCIENCE POLICIES
On June 20th, the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology held a hearing entitled "The Office of Science and Technology Policy: Examining Priorities and Effectiveness of the Nation's Science Policies." The purpose of the hearing was to exercise the Committee's oversight authority of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) by examining its roles, responsibilities, operations and management, and its function in shaping our national science policy. Dr. John P. Holdren, Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), was the sole witness.
In his opening statement, Committee Chair Ralph Hall (R-TX) explained his intentions for the hearing, "In addition to reviewing OSTP's responsibilities, operations, and management, we will also look at its function in shaping our Nation's policies. It should come as no surprise that I remain concerned about a number of this Administration's science and technology policy issues, ranging from an unprecedented emphasis on clean energy at the expense of other priorities to a larger focus on applied research at the expense of basic scientific research to the lack of a clearly defined and compelling long-term mission for human space flight. Further, there are other areas still awaiting action from OSTP and the Administration. These include transparency and data access issues, a position on the transfer of the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) from NOAA to NASA, a position statement on INKSNA, and a Strategic Plan for STEM Education."
Dr. Holdren faced tough questions and comments from Committee members on each of these topics during the wide-ranging hearing. "Science, technology, and innovation have been at the core of the American success story since the days of the Founding Fathers," said Dr. Holdren in his testimony. "Advances in agronomy, electrification, mechanized transportation, and wireless communication have each, in their time, brought waves of economic growth, generated new opportunities, industries, and jobs, and—increasingly—posed difficult decisions and policy dilemmas."
Opening statements, an archived webcast of the full hearing, as well as Dr. Holdren's complete written testimony may be viewed at: http://science.house.gov/hearing/full-committee-hearing-examining-priorities-and-effectiveness-nation%E2%80%99s-science-policies
Paul Fakes covers public policy-related research and development issues for ASME. He can be reached at fakesp@asme.org
SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE HOLDS HEARING ON THE "RISKS, OPPORTUNITIES, AND OVERSIGHT OF COMMERCIAL SPACE"
Also on June 20th, the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Science and Space held a hearing on the "Risks, Opportunities, and Oversight of Commercial Space." The hearing examined the commercial space industry, its role in the nation's space program, and its contribution to U.S. global competitiveness. The hearing also reviewed progress of commercial efforts to transport cargo and crew to the International Space Station, which are key components of the overall approach to U.S. human space flight established by the NASA Authorization Act of 2010.
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, stated, "I just hope that there will no longer be budget proposals from the President, whoever that will be next year, that will appear to cut back on the future and fund the present because we have an authorization bill that assures both, we support both. I don't want to see next year another instance of what we saw this year, and I just hope that we can see that commitment on the part of NASA and the President's OMB and believe me, I didn't like what OMB did in the last administration or the one before that either, so I am equal in my disappointment in this commitment."
Her full statement may be read at: http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=66d12cdf-14bf-4a9d-a5ff-2ce173c72d63&ContentType_id=77eb43da-aa94-497d-a73f-5c951ff72372&Group_id=4b968841-f3e8-49da-a529-7b18e32fd69d
The archived webcast of the hearing is available at: http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Hearings&ContentRecord_id=c3ae3f1c-f1b9-47a1-8eef-5013d1d68f91&ContentType_id=14f995b9-dfa5-407a-9d35-56cc7152a7ed&Group_id=b06c39af-e033-4cba-9221-de668ca1978a
Paul Fakes covers public policy-related research and development issues for ASME. He can be reached at fakesp@asme.org
HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE ACTS ON HYDROPOWER, ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION, AND MANUFACTURING LEGISLATION
The full House Energy and Commerce Committee voted to release several pieces of legislation last week during a two-day mark-up which covered legislative topics ranging from manufacturing to energy and the environment. A briefing summary of the legislation voted out of committee is included below. Each of these bills awaits further action on the full House floor.
H.R. 5865 – The American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act is a bipartisan bill authored by Reps. Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL). The bill would establish a public-private American Manufacturing Competitiveness Board to advise the President on manufacturing issues and conduct analysis of the manufacturing sector. The Board will also develop and submit to the President a national manufacturing strategy. The goals of the Board will be to streamline government processes and regulations, and to improve American competitiveness in the manufacturing sector.
H.R. 4273 – The Resolving Environmental and Grid Reliability Conflicts Act, introduced by Reps. Pete Olson (R-TX) and Mike Doyle (D-PA), prevents power companies from being penalized for violating potentially conflicting environmental laws by amending the Federal Power Act to allow exemptions when parties are acting under emergency orders.
H.R. 5892 – the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act, authored by Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Diana DeGette (D-CO), facilitates the development of new hydropower projects across the country by reducing regulations and streamlining the permitting process.
For more information, the Energy and Commerce Committee Majority Committee press release is available at:
http://energycommerce.house.gov/news/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=9620
To review specific information about these bills, visit: http://thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas.php and search by bill number.
Paul Fakes covers public policy-related research and development issues for ASME. He can be reached at fakesp@asme.org
HOUSE SCIENCE COMMITTEE FOCUSES ON UNIVERSITY TECH TRANSFER
The House Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing last week to examine different approaches universities and nonprofits are taking to transfer the results of federally-funded research into the marketplace. Discussion included steps university tech transfer offices are taking to encourage more commercial development, and possible reforms to federal laws that may assist them in this effort. The major legislation which affects universities in this area is the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980, which was designed to improve collaboration between commercial entities and nonprofit organizations, and promote the commercialization and utilization of inventions arising from federally supported research and development.
"The transfer of knowledge from universities into the marketplace can have profound economic and societal impacts, so we are always looking for more ways to encourage this process," said the Subcommittee's Vice Chairman, Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL). "The collaborative efforts encouraged under the Bayh-Dole Act have brought about the commercialization of many new technological advances that impact the lives of millions of people across the nation."
Witnesses received questions about possible amendments to the Bayh-Dole Act, including whether to allow the government to re-coup some of its investment in federal research that results in commercial products, and whether 'free agency' arrangements to allow researchers greater freedom to take commercial licenses directly to third parties. Witnesses instead encouraged Congress to examine ways to support the development of regional tech transfer offices in order to assist clusters of smaller universities that might not be able to provide adequate support for their own tech transfer programs.
Witness Dr. Todd Sherer, President of the Association of University Technology Managers, praised the contributions made possible through the Bayh-Dole act. "Since its passage over 30 years ago, the Bayh-Dole Act has proven instrumental in recognizing that federal patent policy is an integral part of U.S. competitiveness and is the envy of nearly every other country in the world," Dr. Sherer said, "Without the local pride of ownership and control created by the Act, many of these discoveries would still be languishing on the shelf and no revenues would be returned to fund even more research." Dr. Sherer went on to note that federally funded university research helps to generate an average of 1.7 new companies per day and helped create 657 new products in 2010 alone.
An archived webcast of the hearing, as well as full witness testimony and member statements for the record are available at: http://science.house.gov/hearing/subcommittee-technology-and-innovation-hearing-best-practices-transforming-research
Paul Fakes covers public policy-related research and development issues for ASME. He can be reached at fakesp@asme.org
JULY 9 OHIO WORKSHOP SEEKS IDEAS ON DESIGN OF NATIONAL NETWORK FOR MANUFACTURING INNOVATION
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and partner organizations of the federal interagency Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office (AMNPO) are sponsoring the second in a series of regional public workshops to gather ideas and suggestions on the design of the proposed National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI). The workshop will be held on July 9, 2012, at the Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland.
"Designing for Impact II: Workshop on Building the NNMI" is a partnership between AMNPO and local Cleveland organizations that include NASA's Glenn Research Center, Cuyahoga Community College and Case Western Reserve University. Confirmed workshop speakers include Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver and Patrick Gallagher, Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Invited speakers include congressional, state and local leaders.
AMNPO is charged with coordinating federal resources and programs to enhance technology transfer to U.S. manufacturers. The office is hosted by NIST. Core partner agencies also include the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Energy (DOE), NASA and the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Conceived to address strategic gaps in U.S. manufacturing innovation, the NNMI is envisioned as a network of up to 15 regional hubs—Institutes for Manufacturing Innovation—that will connect research discoveries and budding ideas for tomorrow's technologies and products with current U.S. manufacturers, as well as with the start-up firms of tomorrow. The network is proposed as a public-private collaboration in the President's FY 2013 budget.
Workshop participants will learn about the principles and concepts behind the NNMI and participate in interactive sessions designed to solicit ideas on how to best structure the network and the institutes. Facilitated interactive discussions will focus on four areas key to the success of the institutes:
- Technologies with Broad Impact;
- Institute Structure and Governance;
- Strategies for Sustainable Institute Operations; and,
- Education and Workforce Development.
For more details on the workshop and to sign up for the event, visit: http://manufacturing.gov/amp/event_070912.html
Advance sign-up is required. The deadline is July 2. A fee is charged to cover food and beverage expenses. Space is limited, and event sign-up will be on a first-come, first-served basis with no more than four representatives from the same organization.
For more information on the NNMI, visit http://manufacturing.gov/amp/nnmi.html
Paul Fakes covers public policy-related research and development issues for ASME. He can be reached at fakesp@asme.org
EDUCATORS SELECTED FOR NASA EXPLORER SCHOOLS SUMMER WORKSHOPS
NASA has selected 50 elementary, middle and high school educators from across the nation to work side by side with agency scientists and engineers to learn research techniques and identify connections to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.
The educators were chosen for these workshops because they demonstrated exemplary classroom practices and innovative use of NASA Explorer Schools (NES) resources to engage students in STEM activities. They will participate in one of four workshops that will take place between June 18 and July 26 at various NASA centers. This year's workshops are Extreme Green at the Glenn Research Center in Cleveland; Airborne Research Experience at Dryden Flight Research Center in Edwards, Calif.; There is More to Light than Meets the Eye at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.; and Atmospheric Science at Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Va.
The NES project invests in STEM educator development to help teachers inspire and engage the future scientists, engineers and technicians that NASA needs to continue its missions. The program offers a variety of educational assets, including classroom videos, educational concept lessons, professional development activities and live video chats.
For a complete list of the NES teacher participants, visit: http://go.nasa.gov/Lt3Pr8
For more information about NASA Explorer Schools program, refer to: http://explorerschools.nasa.gov
For more information about NASA education programs, go to: http://www.nasa.gov/education
Melissa Carl handles public policy-related science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) issues for ASME. She can be reached at: carlm@asme.org
THE ARTICLES CONTAINED IN CAPITOL UPDATE ARE NOT POSITIONS OF ASME OR ANY OF
ITS SUB-ENTITIES, UNLESS SPECIFICALLY NOTED AS SUCH. THIS PUBLICATION IS DESIGNED
TO INFORM ASME MEMBERS ABOUT ISSUES OF CONCERN BEING DEBATED AND DISCUSSED IN
THE HALLS OF CONGRESS, IN THE STATES, AND IN THE FEDERAL AGENCIES.
EDITOR: ASME Government Relations, 1828 L Street, NW, Suite 810, Washington, DC 20036-5104.