National Defense Education Program (NDEP)
Abstract
The National Defense Education Program (NDEP) supports science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) research and education initiatives, at all educational levels, to inspire, attract and develop the next generation and the current generation of STEM talent to meet DoD's missions. Major components of NDEP include: the engagement of DoD laboratory scientists and engineers (S&Es) that play an important role in inspiring, enhancing and developing K-12 student and teacher STEM skills; supporting the education and training of undergraduate and graduate students in relevant STEM disciplines that result in DoD employment; and supporting world-class basic researchers and their students in areas of critical importance to DoD. NDEP basic researchers also are called upon to form strategic partnerships with DoD's laboratory S&Es as well as serve on DoD advisory panels. NDEP supports the inspire, develop and attract goals of the DoD-wide STEM Education and Outreach Strategic Plan completed in December, 2009. In 2009, 260 new undergraduate and graduate students majoring in relevant STEM disciplines were supported. These students are primarily attending high to very high research universities. Approximately 75 Science, Mathematics And Research for Transformation (SMART ) participants who earned a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree transitioned into employment in a DoD laboratory or component. Ten highly distinguished university basic researchers were selected from over 500 eligible applicants. Among these researchers are members of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and recipients of prestigious science awards. In 2009, NDEP K-12 initiatives included four, week-long, summer teacher professional development institutes attended by 110 teachers and 35 laboratory scientists and engineers (S&Es). Science and math partnerships between laboratory S&Es and middle and high school classroom teachers are established in 20 States and respond to local needs. Three-day professional development workshops were conducted for 900 teachers and included 530 S&Es. To encourage middle school student's participation in math, DoD partnered with MATHCOUNTS to sponsor over 7,300 new mathematics clubs in schools across the U.S. reaching over 127,000 students. As a result, students from over 5,900 schools participated in a national math competition. Other student-focused informal educational activities included: “Lab TV” webisodes featuring laboratory S&E personnel demonstrating 30 different DoD technologies; 500 students participating in DoD STEM summer camps, mentoring programs and field trips to DoD laboratories. NDEP Historical Perspective (cumulative results): Since the program's inception in 2006, the NDEP K-12 initiatives resulted in 535 teachers trained, and the establishment of partnerships between laboratory scientists and engineers with middle and high school classroom teachers in 20 states. NDEP higher education initiatives have supported and trained nearly 570 undergraduate and graduate students. Approximately 150 SMART participants have transitioned into DoD employment since 2007. To date, 18 highly distinguished university faculty are conducting basic research crucial to enabling future applications in sensors, functional materials, surveillance, near shore navigation, communications and information security, energy independence, and force protection. Current research and education awards will be sustained and new SMART and NSSEFF awards will be made in FY2010.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Source ID
- 0601120D8Z_1_0400_PB_2011
- Change Summary Explanation
- Service Agency Name
- Office of Secretary Of Defense
Related Documents
- Child Project: National Defense Education Program (NDEP)
- Child Accomplishment: Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Defense Education Program
- Child Accomplishment: National Security Science and Engineering Faculty Fellowship (NSSEFF)
- Child Accomplishment: K-12