Reischman gave his presentation -- Engineering at NSF: Directions and Opportunities -- at an open forum and workshop held in the Agave Room at the Student Union Memorial Center and hosted by the School of Sustainable Engineered Systems, the new school currently being set up within the College of Engineering.

Reischman talked about the NSF’s origin, mission and goals, and described current research priorities. The mission of the Directorate for Engineering, Reischman said, is, “To enable the engineering and scientific communities to advance the frontiers of engineering research, innovation and education, in service to society and the nation.” The Directorate for Engineering hopes to put about $750 million into engineering research in 2009.