WINTER 2012
Message from the Director It has been just over a year since Idaho hosted the 22nd National NSF EPSCoR Conference in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. As we look back on the event, there is much that could be said. But here we want to acknowledge the extraordinary work of the Program Committee, Idaho EPSCoR staff, and dozens of others who made this outcomeoriented conference possible. The independent evaluator, Dr. Rose Shaw of Metrica, did an outstanding job of quantifying the lasting impact based on her post-event survey of participants this summer, about nine months after the event. How did this Conference influence people most? Here are just a few of the things she found: •
90% communicated at least some of what they learned at the National Conference to others on their own EPSCoR teams.
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87% communicated at least some of what they learned with others in their States.
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85% reported that one or more ideas from the Conference had made at least some difference in one or more of their State EPSCoR programs.
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75% reported that one or more ideas from the Conference made at least some difference in their State’s EPSCoR research.
collaboration networks; and the validation of their time and effort spent on research as lasting effects of their conference experience. Individuals mentioned how they had been impacted personally, citing co-writing new proposals across jurisdictions; looking for ways to better utilize and incorporate STEM students into research activities between universities; exploring new ways to work and collaborate with state legislators; addressing locally the challenge of getting more students into STEM degree programs and careers; grasping the strategic issues behind NSF and EPSCoR program diversity and proposal instructions/ requirements; and gaining increased confidence in peer interaction and presentation of scientific research.” For Idaho, this Conference will always be a defining event that clearly demonstrated the important contributions that EPSCoR Jurisdictions are making to the National research agenda. It was also an opportunity for over 400 people from across the US to experience why Idaho is such a wonderful place to live and work.
“From a variety of angles, these respondents identified their new grasp and appreciation of the EPSCoR program – its scope and significance for scientific research and for helping the states to meet their science and technology goals; the expansion of their communication and
Annual Idaho EPSCoR Meeting Highlights The 2012 Idaho NSF EPSCoR & Idaho NASA EPSCoR Annual Meeting was held October 2nd-3rd at The Grove Hotel in downtown Boise, Idaho. This marked the first year both Idaho NSF EPSCoR and Idaho NASA EPSCoR joined together to provide a unique experience for attendees. The meeting centered around agency engagement for climate science and management. Students from Idaho’s colleges and universities also presented their research to conference participants. Speakers included Idaho EPSCoR faculty as well invited presenters. Below is an overview of presentations: •
Tim Personius, Deputy Director, PNW Branch, Bureau of Reclamation
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Von Walden, University of Idaho, PNW Climate Science Meeting Summary
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Mike Pellant, Bureau of Land Management, Climate Change Challenges on Public Lands in the Great Basin
L-R: Dr. Laird Noh, Dr. Alex Punnoose, Tina Punnoose, Dr. Jean’ne Shreeve
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