Austin News

AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) expressed his approval of the recent $90 million investment aimed at enhancing STEM education at Rice University. The National Science Foundation's decision to allocate this funding over the next five years to SafeInsights, an education research and development hub, has garnered positive remarks from Sen. Cornyn. The initiative is part of the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) program authorized under the CHIPS and Science Act, a measure supported by Sen. Cornyn.

According to Sen. Cornyn, the investment in research infrastructure will have far-reaching benefits, stating, “By investing in leading-edge research infrastructure, we are boosting our cybersecurity, national security, and global competitiveness.” He further emphasized the significance of the project, mentioning, “The scientific and technological capabilities these resources will enable at Rice University will help the U.S. reclaim its leadership role in critically important STEM industries.”

SafeInsights, led by OpenStax at Rice University, focuses on education research that has the potential to impact millions of students and instructors positively. The project aims to enhance learning outcomes by conducting in-depth research on effective learning predictors, providing valuable insights for educators and learners alike.

The National Science Foundation's support for infrastructure projects, including those under the MRI program, underscores its commitment to advancing science and engineering research. The funding provided to SafeInsights aligns with the NSF's objectives of promoting U.S. leadership in various research disciplines, including microelectronics, and facilitating the development of research infrastructure.

The investment in SafeInsights at Rice University signifies a significant step towards empowering STEM education and research, with a focus on enhancing learning experiences and outcomes for students and educators alike.