Science, Engineering and Technology Funding

Coalition for National Science Funding

September 13, 2006

 

Ralph W. Baird, Geophysicist and Engineer

Baird Petrophysical International, 1784 W Sam Houston Pkwy N, Houston, Texas USA 77043

 

CNSF Hill Visits Day << Click for Hyper-link >>

 

The Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF) sponsors a Hill Visits Day each year.  This event allows CNSF members to create interdisciplinary teams to traverse Capitol Hill advocating for increased funding of the National Science Foundation. On September 12 and 13, 2006, about 80 scientists from most states traveled to Washington, D.C. in support of congressional funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF). NSF, itself cannot lobby and cannot solicit from the US Congress.

 

Texas Science Delegate - One of Thousands of American Scientists

 

Mr. Baird has benefited directly and indirectly from NSF funding and support of Geoscience and engineering basic research and education. Every day he, his associates and peers search for, read and evaluate published papers from NSF supported research by continuously studying NSF university and national lab projects for helpful ideas and new information to aid natural resources exploration. Mr. Baird gives back to the community and contributes to and is an active member of these CNSF societies: the American Geophysical Union, the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Institute of Professional Geologists, the Society of Independent Professional Earth Scientists and several professional engineering organizations.

 

The comments below are personal comments by Ralph Baird, 57, father of six and proud grandfather of three. Mr. Baird is an explorationist, entrepreneur, scientist and engineer. For over 35 years he has been a leader and pioneer in the search for new energy sources using modern technology. Mr. Baird is the Chairman Ad-Hoc Committee 2007-2008 Electronic Geophysical Year of the SEG; he also has been named the October 2007 guest editor for the monthly professional journal, The Leading Edge. He has served in many other offices and as chairman of several other committees, working groups and boards of directors.

 

Outside of work and professional interests, Mr. Baird is a commercial pilot and a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association; a ham radio operator and member of the American Radio Relay League; a volunteer command pilot for Angel Flight South Central; and a volunteer for the underwater search and recovery of loved ones with Texas EquuSearch of Dickinson Texas. << Click for Resume Hyperlink  >>

 

Comments and Positions

 

1.                 The National Science Foundation’s continued support of basic research and education of American youth is and will continue to be outstanding and the most important investment that the US government and taxpayer can make in the future to enable the next generation to ENJOY careers of problem solving. However, there needs to be a more consistent message from the government, the schools and industry that scientists and engineers will be the 21st Century’s SUPERSTARS.

2.                 Increasing scientists and engineers involvement in international affairs has reduced the security risks of the mainland USA. Most all scientists and engineers have the mental attitude and ethical commitment to help both US citizens and developing countries improve their standard of living. The National Science Foundation funding of identifying and solving developing countries problems provides the necessary HOPE for a peaceful, improving world.

3.                 Science needs to be packaged and marketed to the public in an exciting way. A focus can be to include the parents (moms and dads) in the education and collaboration of science in the home to supplement and encourage American youth to pursue careers in math, science and engineering. A SCIENCE SUITCASE taken home from elementary school and shared in the home, with instructions, will bridge the link from the school and home.

4.                 An important event is forthcoming, the 50th Anniversary of the very successful International Geophysical Year (IGY). Congress has voted to recognize this 50th anniversary and the National Science Foundation must fund as many IGY-2 projects as possible. There have evolved four or more separate scientific groups that support this theme- the Electronic Geophysical Year (eGY), the International Heliophysical Year (IHY), the International Polar Year (IPY) and the International Year of the Planet Earth (IYPE). These are specific projects that will require funding and are project initiatives that will spawn interest by the US public consistent with the NSF’s goals and mission.