Dec. 5, 2003Dec. 5, 2003
"Transforming Data Into Information" has been the purpose of the Office of Social and Economic Data Analysis since its outset. Longtime Director Daryl Hobbs says that helping people digest an overload of information and turning research into knowledge continues to be an underlying philosophy of OSEDA for the 21st century.
Hobbs, with Bill Elder, founded OSEDA as a resource to assist community leaders, University faculty and staff, state agencies and the general public in making informed decisions.
Hobbs, professor emeritus of Rural Sociology, is continuing with OSEDA part-time as a senior extension associate. Elder, associate director, was recently appointed interim director.
A hallmark of OSEDA is building and sustaining partnerships with state and federal agencies, foundations and citizen groups. For the past 15 years, OSEDA has worked with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in the development of the Missouri School Improvement Program through data analysis and development of information systems. The MSIP measures school performance and is used by DESE to accredit school districts.
OSEDA also is a partner in the State Census Data Center. State agencies, local governments, businesses and the general public use census data and accompanying reports about demographics posted on the OSEDA website to make informed decisions affecting individuals and communities. From Jan. 1 through Sept. 30, 2003, the website averaged 5,689 successful page requests from users per day.
A collaborative project with the Missouri Department of Transportation called the "socio-economic information resource" is providing up-to-date data for use in transportation planning and project development. Last month, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials gave the OSEDA/MODOT team its annual Trailblazer Award for Quality Team Achievement.
Annually, OSEDA compiles information for the Missouri KidsCount Data Book, which reports on the well-being of children in Missouri counties. For 10 years, OSEDA, Citizens for Missouri's Children and the Children's Trust Fund have produced the report. The 2003 Kids Count will be released this January.
Other recent OSEDA initiatives include a partnership with DESE and MOREnet to improve student achievement by transforming teaching practices through instructional technology and professional development for teachers. The project is called eMINTS -- expanding Missouri Internet Networked Teaching Strategies. OSEDA sustains ongoing evaluation of eMINTS. An analysis of Missouri Assessment Program results showed eMINTS students scored significantly higher than non-eMINTS students on the fourth-grade mathematics and social studies tests (see "Analysis of 2002 MAP Results for eMINTS Students).
In 2004, OSEDA will develop a new "State of the State" report, assessing health, education, economic, family life and other broad trends affecting Missouri. OSEDA produced similar reports in 1984 and 1994. Elder says, "We'll be seeking partners across the university and in state government to put it together." The process will involve statewide community and regional meetings and focus groups to gather citizen viewpoints.
A new program at the UMR Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach is providing assistance in preparing competitive grant proposals to help entrepreneurs get federal funding and technological assistance.
"Entrepreneurs often have great ideas for starting a new business, but lack the technical knowledge to make it work," says John Parfet, CEO program specialist. "Our program provides an opportunity for faculty to link with small businesses and provide that technical expertise."
The Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) programs help entrepreneurs assess market information, complete grant applications and find avenues to move the business into the marketplace.
Through the SBIR/STTR assistance program, entrepreneurs have the opportunity to apply for federal research and development grants to stimulate technological innovation and transfer to the marketplace; however, the application process is competitive, and the grants are often difficult to get without assistance.
In addition, the program can match a small business with a faculty member who may be able to offer technical assistance.
"The SBIR program targets the entrepreneurial sector because that is where most innovation and innovators thrive," says Amy Light-Mills, the center's executive director. "However, the risk and expense of conducting serious research and development efforts are often beyond the means of many small businesses."
The SBIR program brings together funding from 11 federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security and the National Science Foundation, to stimulate technological innovation.
"Applications to these agencies are so comprehensive that a business nearly has a business plan written by the time they complete an application," says Mills. She believes that makes working with the CEO beneficial. "We know what a successful application looks like."
For more information about the UMR SBIR/STTR assistance program, contact the Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach at (573) 341-4690.
John Gardner, associate dean for research and extension at the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, addressed the Missouri Governor's Conference on Agriculture at Tan-Tar-A, Nov. 25. He told those at the conference to expect to see changes at the University as increased emphasis is placed on economic development in the state.
New programs will be created to help communities to identify opportunities. Changes in teaching entrepreneurship will be seen in the classrooms on campus, in extension, and at the MU research farms and centers.
"We can foster a culture of entrepreneurship in the state by encouraging those who will take risks to create new businesses," said Gardner. "We should not penalize those willing to take risks."
Gardner and Craig Schroeder, from the Center of Rural Entrepreneurship at the University of Nebraska, spoke on "Exploring the Entrepreneurial Spirit." The theme of the governor's conference was "Charting a Course for Missouri Agriculture."
To support entrepreneurs in the state, the University will make it easier to convert new research into new businesses, Gardner said. "Our faculty members have been creating new ideas, but they are not trained to put those ideas into play in the business world. We must do a better job of getting those ideas into the hands of Missourians who can make them work.
"Look for dramatic changes," Gardner said. "The entrepreneurship will be both global and local."
"Life sciences is the playing field that the state has chosen to play on in the global economy," Gardner said. "A coalition of institutions across the state can make Missouri competitive in the agri-food system. Our claim to fame internationally will be in agriculture, especially in nutritional genomics. But, each 'place' in Missouri can also stake a claim on their own niche in agriculture."
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Eileen Yager,
yagere@umsystem.edu |
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