At the center of the picture, Senators Kay Hagan, Harry Reid and Patty Murray react as a launcher developed for the public television program "Design Squad" propels a t-shirt towards the ceiling. At right is "Design Squad" host Nate Ball. At left are Wanda Ward, acting assistant director of NSF's Education and Human Resources directorate, and Arden L. Bement, Jr., NSF director.

Credit: Sandy Schaeffer, National Science Foundation

Sen. Reid interacts with soccer robot dogs programmed by students at Spelman College, who compete in robot competitions internationally each year. Also pictured are Andrew Williams, chair and associate professor in computer and information sciences, who is the principal investigator of the NSF-funded ARTSI Alliance, described at www.artsialliance.org, and NSF Director Arden L. Bement, Jr.

Credit: Sandy Schaeffer, National Science Foundation

Sen. Jeff Bingaman gets a taste of Math Snacks, multimedia lessons that address critical gaps in understanding of math concepts and processes among students. With him is Karin Wiburg, associate dean for research in the college of education at New Mexico State University.

Credit: Sandy Schaeffer, National Science Foundation

Sen. Harry Reid looks at a table-top version of a shake table from the Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) at the University of Nevada-Reno. Ian Buckle, director of the Center for Civil Engineering Earthquake Research and professor of civil engineering at UN-Reno shows Reid how the table allows researchers to simulate the movement of earthquakes and test the integrity of different building constructions. Behind Reid is NSF Director Arden L. Bement, Jr.

Credit: Sandy Schaeffer, National Science Foundation