Work, work, work.

Well, the last two weeks have been filled with work.  A little about the National Science Foundation.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense…" With an annual budget of about $6.9 billion (FY 2010), we are the funding source for approximately 20 percent of all federally supported basic research conducted by America's colleges and universities. In many fields such as mathematics, computer science and the social sciences, NSF is the major source of federal backing. 

We have been busy with panel reviews.  NSF puts out a solicitation and universities submit grant proposals.  These are put into groups and a panel of proposal reviewers come to NSF for two days.  During these two days, the reviewers decide which of the proposals are Highly Competitive, Competitive, Low Competitive, and Non-Competitive.  It is a very intense process and involves long days.  I had a panel last week and a panel this week.  


But it is not all work.  Here are some pictures from the last couple of weeks.

The International Horse Show was in DC.  Two streets were blocked off and filled with temporary stalls for the million dollar horses.

I happened on this swing band performing at the National Portrait Museum.  They were fun and put on a great show.  People danced.  I stayed for a couple of hours listening and watching.

The Newseum.  Everyday the front page of major papers from every state in the union are displayed on the sidewalk in front of the museum.  This is the Idaho Statesman for Idaho's paper.

Poster Session

Last week all of the Einstein Fellows at NSF created posters and we all stood around and talked to people about who we were and what experience we had.  We also each had a treat from our home state to share.  I had bought Mini Idaho Spud Bars.  It was kind of fun.  I was surprised how much my hair had grown from the school picture I used on the poster.  It was taken in the fall of 2008.  Only two years ago.

I learned how to create a poster and where to get it printed.  This will be very handy later when I have to make lots of posters for the poster session we will be having in February with the Research Experiences for Teachers meeting.

Return to Sanity and/or Fear Rally

Saturday I walked down to the Return to Sanity Rally.  It was so crazy.  There were thousands of people and we were all so close together that I could barely raise my arm with out putting my elbow in someone's eye.  People were packed from the Capitol all the way to the Washington Monument. I could not see or hear because of all of the people.  After he first two hours, I wiggled and squeezed my way out.  Check out the video Return to [Insanity] . On the way out I took a few pictures of some of the crazy people.

Another Day Off

Latest update.  The news said that the NSF building was struck by lightning.  The building is closed all day Thursday and possibly on Friday!  Wow.  What am I going to do with my time?  I'll think of something :-)

Short day at work

We all got to go home early today!  About 12:30 I was eating my lunch at my desk, when the electricity went out.  Emergency lights came on.  No one knew what was going on.  So we all waited around.  I work on the 11th floor of a 12 floor building.  After about 20 minutes, someone called the guard at the lobby desk.  He did not know what was going on either, but thought we should evacuate.  We took the stairs down to the second floor where there is a skywalk to the Hilton Hotel.  This is the scene that I saw.

Emergency vehicles were everywhere.  Rumors say that there was smoke in the parking garage beneath our building.  After another half hour wait, we were told to go home.  Good thing I grabbed my stuff and took it with me when I left the building.  Whatever work needed done will have to wait until tomorrow.

National Science and Engineering Festival

This weekend Marc, Ashlyn, Morgan, and I went to the first annual National Science and Engineering Festival in Washington, D.C.  It is a part of President Obama's focus on education and "preparing and inspiring" students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).  There was so much to do and see.  We only saw about a fourth of what was there, but had a great time.

Green Bank National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Two weeks ago the Einstein Fellows went on a field trip to West Virginia to visit the Green Bank NRAO telescope.  

While there, we also did a little fossil hunting.

Some night viewing of Saturn and the Moon.

We also took the opportunity to hike to the top of Seneca Rock.

The drive was beautiful.  My camera did not do it justice.

Einstein Fellows.