2011-11482. Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; the NIST Summer Institute for Middle School Science Teachers (NIST Summer Institute) and the NIST Research Experience for Teachers (NIST RET) Application Requirements

AGENCY:

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted on or July 11, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at [e-mail]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Barbara Lambis, 301-975-4447, [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The NIST Summer Institute and the NIST RET are competitive financial assistance (cooperative agreement) programs designed to support middle school science teachers to participate in hands-on workshops, lectures, tours, visits, or in scientific research with scientists and engineers in NIST laboratories in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The workshops provide teachers with instructional information and ideas to use in their teaching, and emphasize the measurement science done at NIST. The Program provides a world-class opportunity for those teaching our nation's next generation of scientists to learn more about the subjects they teach and the research in those subjects at NIST, and to offer a platform from which teachers can inspire their students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

To receive funding, nominated teachers must submit applications through their U.S. public school districts or U.S. accredited private educational institutions for potential selection to participate in the NIST Summer Institute or the NIST RET. This request is for the information collection requirements associated with applying for funding. The information is used to perform the requisite reviews of the applications to determine if an award should be granted.

II. Method of Collection

Applications may be submitted electronically via http://www.grants.gov.

III. Data

OMB Control Number: 0693-0059.

Form Number: NIST-1103.

Type of Review: Regular submission.

Affected Public: Middle school (Grades 6-8) science teachers in a U.S. public school district or U.S. accredited private educational institution.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 100.

Estimated Time per Response: 1 hour.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 100.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.

IV. Request for Comments

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

Dated: May 6, 2011.

Gwellnar Banks,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.