NSF Grant Results 9-06-11

Agency

Agency Name:

National Science Foundation

Application

Agency Tracking Number:

1139623

Project Title:

A Strategy for The Integration of Robotic Competitions & Activities Into a Rural K12 System Through Partnerships with a Local Community College: A Model for Statewide Expansion

Requested Amount:

$1,328,135

Received Date:

05/13/2011

PI/PD:

King Nicholson

Co-PD(s)/Co-PI(s):

Beverly Price

Marllin Simon

Authorized Representative:

Michael A Lovett

Submitting Institution:

Central Alabama Community College

Program

Program Title:

Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST)

Program Code:

7227

Funding Opportunity Number:

NSF 11-525

Division/Area of Science:

Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL)

Program Contact Name:

Robert E. Gibbs

Program Contact Phone:

(703) 292-5122

Program Contact Email:

rgibbs@nsf.gov

Application Status History

Status	Status Date
Declined	09/06/2011

Cognizant Program Officer Comments

Dear Mr. Nicholson:

You have received official notification from the Acting Director or Acting Deputy Director of NSF's Division of Research on Learning that unfortunately your proposal could not be funded within this year's budget for the ITEST program.

This memo provides a brief summary of the main reasons for the decline of the proposal, based on the reviews and staff analysis. The reviews and in some cases a panel summary provide more details.

First, I very much respect the work you have been doing in outreach to the K-12 system. It is clear that you are a dedicated educator. Your proposal received mixed reviews. Panelists with expertise in robotics and K-12 education rated it highly. Panelists with expertise in evaluation and education research found significant weaknesses. I agree with both pints of view. Your model of outreach appears solid, but needs a more complete description to fill in missing details. Your evaluation and research components need considerable improvement, and I recommend that if you wish to revise your proposal for a future ITEST competition, you should work closely with evaluation and research experts. On a technical note, there are problems with the budget. The justification is not consistent with the budget pages, and it is not keyed to the budget lines, so it is hard to follow. You need to work with your campus grants office if you have one. It can help you with NSF forms.

The ITEST solicitation expired with this competition; however, we anticipate another solicitation for next year. You should check the DRL webpage during the late fall for the revised solicitation or subscribe to the National Science Foundation Update, an e-mail alert service, at http://www.nsf.gov/publications/obtain.jsp.

We appreciate your interest in the ITEST program.

Sincerely,
Robert Gibbs
Program Director

Review Information

Please note: The Sponsored Projects Office (or equivalent) at the submitting organization is NOT given the capability to read the below review information.