Notice2026-11780
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; NOAA Teacher at Sea Program
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
June 11, 2026
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 112 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 112 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35466-35467]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-11780]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment
Request; NOAA Teacher at Sea Program
AGENCY: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other
Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information
collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The
purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment
preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed
information collection must be received on or before August 10, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0d43424c4c235d5f4c4d63626c6c236a627b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ca84858b8be49a988b8aa4a5ababe4ada5bc">[email protected]</span></a>. Please
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0283 in the subject line of your
comments. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise
sensitive or protected information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed
to Jennifer Hammond, Director, NOAA Teacher at Sea Program, 200 Harry S
Truman Hwy., Annapolis, MD 21401, 240-628-5210,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#375d5259595e515245195f565a5a585953775958565619505841"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8ae0efe4e4e3eceff8a4e2ebe7e7e5e4eecae4e5ebeba4ede5fc">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
This is a request for revision and extension of an approved
information collection. This collection is sponsored by NOAA Fisheries'
Office of Communications on behalf of NOAA's Teacher at Sea Program,
through which NOAA provides educators an opportunity to gain first-hand
experience with field research activities aboard ocean-going research
vessels. Selected educators spend 2-4 weeks at sea working alongside
NOAA scientists to conduct ongoing research projects.
NOAA is explicitly directed to support educational programs such as
this one under Section 4002 of the America COMPETES Act (as amended in
2022) ``to enhance public awareness and understanding of ocean,
coastal, Great Lakes, and atmospheric science and stewardship by the
general public and other coastal stakeholders.'' The opportunity to
join NOAA scientists for a research experience at sea doubles as both
highly valuable professional development for the educators (see Section
4002 (b) (5)), increasing their own marine science literacy and skills,
and as an avenue to increase their students' interest and participation
in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) (see Section 4002
(b) (1)).
This collection covers the Teacher at Sea Program application. The
online application solicits information from interested educators,
including basic personal information, information about the educator's
school or institution, teaching experience, lesson development
experience, and ideas for applying program experience in their
classrooms. The application also requires recommendations (in the form
of questionnaires) from two professional references nominated by each
applicant. This collection enables NOAA to select suitable participants
for a limited number of opportunities.
Selected educators write a blog documenting the events and
scientific work of their cruise. Upon return, they develop ideas for
classroom activities based on what they learned while at sea. These
materials are then made available to other educators so they may
benefit from the experience without going to sea themselves.
NOAA does not collect information from this universe of respondents
for any other purpose than to determine which educators will
participate in the NOAA Teacher at Sea Program.
This submission revises the previous collection to remove redundant
instruments. The NOAA Health Services Questionnaire, which selected
educators
[[Page 35467]]
must complete in order to participate in the program, is covered under
its own OMB Control Number (0648-0824) and need not be included in this
collection. Additionally, participating educators are no longer
required to submit a final report.
II. Method of Collection
Internet, via Teacher at Sea online application form.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0648-0283.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Review: Regular submission. Revision and extension of
current information collection.
Affected Public: Individuals.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 275.
Estimated Time per Response: Application: 1 hr. 15 min;
Recommendations: 15 minutes;
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 481 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.
Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
Legal Authority: America COMPETES Act. Public Law 110-69 (121 Stat.
572).
IV. Request for Comments
We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau
to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is
necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether
the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy
of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed
collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions
used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of
the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden
on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information technology.
Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request
to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone
number, email address, or other personal identifying information in
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including
your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available
at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot
guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Sheleen Dumas,
Departmental PRA Compliance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2026-11780 Filed 6-10-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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