AAAS Advances Newsletter

Message to Members: Grand Challenges, Great Opportunities
AAAS in Action: News to Note
AAAS at Work: Programs at the Forefront
AAAS Announcements: Items of Interest
Read On, Online: Science Sites

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Message to Members
GRAND CHALLENGES, GREAT OPPORTUNITIES

Dear AAAS Member,

Science and technology must work tirelessly to boldly define the grand challenges of today that lead to the great opportunities of tomorrow—particularly in times of political and social divisions.

You are invited to explore these "Grand Challenges, Great Opportunities" during the AAAS 2006 Annual Meeting, 16 to 20 February in St. Louis, Missouri. A special "AAAS Evolution Event for St. Louis-area Teachers" expands the dialogue on teaching evolution in U.S. public schools. Symposia in 20 tracks study climate change, bioterrorism, environmental toxins, and nurturing young scientists and engineers. Seminars examine nanotechnology, virtual worlds of the video game industry, challenges in mathematical sciences, and school science. Together, more than 200 symposia, plenary lectures, topical lectures, seminars, and other sessions address major national and global goals during the world's largest and most innovative general science conference.

For highlights, go to http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2005/1031am.shtml. For information including exhibitors, Family Science Days, student session aides, and to register online, go to http://www.aaas.org/meetings/Annual_Meeting/.

Our future depends upon mobilizing individual disciplines and cross-disciplinary work within a vibrant science, engineering, and teaching community to inspire progress, realize potential, and attract young people to this mission. I hope to see you in St. Louis.

Sincerely,

Gilbert S. Omenn, President, AAAS

P.S. Visit the redesigned online edition of the journal Science and the newly combined ScienceCareers and Science Next Wave website for job listings and career advice: http://www.sciencecareers.org/.

AAAS in Action
NEWS TO NOTE

The Evolution of Open Access Publishing
A new study, "The Facts About Open Access," presents the first substantial body of data about different forms of open access publishing and a baseline of comparison with traditional subscription publishing. Read about the goal of wide public access to research findings, the peer review process, and support from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) at http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2005/1011access.shtml. Read the full study, sponsored by AAAS, HighWire Press, and the Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers (ALPSP) at http://www.alpsp.org/.

The Devolution of Science Education Standards
On 8 November, despite strong criticism by AAAS and other U.S. mainstream science organizations, the Kansas State Board of Education voted 6-4 to revise state standards, mixing faith with fact by introducing religious-based doubts about evolution into public school science classrooms. AAAS responded by stating that science and religion can co-exist harmoniously but only rigorous, testable scientific explanations should be taught in science classrooms. AAAS had offered to help develop acceptable new standards and supports the National Academy of Sciences and the National Science Teachers Association in denying permission to use their copyrighted materials in unacceptable standards. Go to http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2005/1109kansas.shtml. See our "Evolution on the Front Line" site: http://www.aaas.org/news/press_room/evolution/.

Restricting Research: U.S. Defense Department Proposal
Stating that "freedom and national security are best preserved by adherence to the principles of openness that are a fundamental tenet of both American society and of the scientific process," AAAS commented on a proposed Department of Defense regulation on the use of export-controlled technology. Read the letter, stating that further restrictions on the conduct of fundamental research would impede, rather than protect, national security interests: http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2005/1012dod.shtml.

Expanding Digital Bioscience Libraries: NSF Grant
U.S. high school and college biology educators are utilizing a peer-reviewed collection of science papers, illustrations, images, lab exercises, and other teaching tools through the BiosciEdNet (BEN) Collaborative. Spearheaded by AAAS in 1999, the digital libraries currently offer 3,700 publications and, with the new National Science Foundation grant, will expand to 27,000 items. Read about the effort to encourage educators to contribute to and use high quality materials: http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2005/1014ben.shtml.

AAAS at Work
PROGRAMS AT THE FOREFRONT

Placing Science News: EurekAlert! Seminar
Want to place a science story in general audience newspapers? Good artwork gets attention. Need to reach defined audience segments? Try online and broadcast outlets. How to broaden exposure? Consider alternate news beats such as the business section or sports columns. In the busy, fast-paced news world, it pays to alert reporters by e-mail using the story head as the subject and to promote only the most timely items.

These are examples of the expert advice given by seven top reporters and editors to some 200 public information officers and public relations managers at the third EurekAlert! seminar for PIOs in October. Read more about the program at http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2005/1018pio.shtml. Download the speaker presentations at the AAAS science news Website: http://www.eurekalert.org/.

Learning Science Improves Reading: Kinetic City
Since 1994, the AAAS after-school science club has entertained, excited, and educated U.S. students in grades 2 through 5. Now, a new report offers further proof that Kinetic City not only improves science understanding but also enhances reading and writing skills. In more than 130 clubs in 30 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, kids join the Super Crew to save the planet Vearth from the relentless virus Deep Delete by teaming up to learn new science via hands-on exercises and online games. Read about the study: http://www.aaas.org/news/newsandnotes/inside124.shtml. Find out more about the club: http://www.kineticcity.com/.

Improving Math Skills: DC FAME
Between learning basic arithmetic skills in U.S. elementary schools and formal algebra skills in high schools, students are slipping in the middle schools, according to recent research. To address the most important component of middle school math education, teachers' content knowledge, The George Washington University in partnership with AAAS and the Washington, D.C., Public School System have developed a three-year professional master's degree program.

DC Fellows for the Advancement of Mathematics Education (DC FAME) seeks to improve the skill level of middle school math educators, adding 20 teachers this fall to a class of 17 already enrolled in the program. The course design follows Project 2061's "Benchmarks for Science Literacy" which sets science teaching standards. Read about the program at http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2005/1006fame.shtml and the project at http://www.project2061.org/.

AAAS Announcements
ITEMS OF INTEREST

Historic Milestone of the Month: Manhattan Project
As part of the 2005 celebration of the 125th anniversary of Science, last December's Voice Your Opinion Poll asked AAAS members to name the leading scientific breakthrough since 1880. Their top choices have been selected for a monthly free-access reprint from the archives of the journal Science, courtesy of JSTOR.org. Read "First Report of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission", (Science, 21 February 1947) by David E. Lilienthal, Robert F. Bacher, Sumner T. Pike, Lewis L. Strauss, William W. Waymack at http://promo.aaas.org/kn_marketing/pdfs/Science_1947_0221.pdf and "Availability of Radioactive Isotopes", (Science, 14 June 1946) Announcement From Headquarters, Manhattan Project, Washington D.C. at http://promo.aaas.org/kn_marketing/pdfs/Science_1946_0614.pdf .
One-Site Searching for Jobs and Career Advice
Bigger, better, and still free, ScienceCareers.org now includes Science Next Wave content. Look through more than 1,000 job postings updated daily and boost careers with advice and articles, graduate program information, and funding opportunities. Receive job alerts, post resumes, and check country home pages, special-focus portals, the Postdoc Network, and Minority Scientists Network. For one-site searching, go to http://www.sciencecareers.org/.

Celebrating Science Literacy for All
From 17 to 19 October, Project 2061 celebrated 20 years of accomplishments and contemplated future challenges in a series of events at AAAS headquarters in Washington, D.C. The project, a long-term initiative to help all Americans become literate in science, mathematics, and technology, conducts research and develops books, CD-ROMs, online resources, professional development, and public outreach. Read about the anniversary events, which attracted educators from around the U.S., including a workshop for science teachers, a Congressional briefing, special remarks, and a reception at AAAS: http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2005/1102proj2061.shtml.

Directing the AAAS S&T Careers Center
Richard Weibl brings an extensive background in education, research, and evaluation, with special emphasis on graduate education and access for underrepresented populations, to the center. The former U.S. Editor of Science's Next Wave will serve as a linchpin for AAAS's broad international efforts to provide career information to S&T students, post-docs, and professionals. Read about the career-related initiatives at http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2005/1020careers.shtml.

Participate in the Annual Election of AAAS Officers
Vote-2005 Election
Ballots for AAAS president-elect, members of the Board of Directors and Committee on Nominations, and section officers are being mailed to all active AAAS members for voting and return by 28 November. If you have not received a ballot, contact Linda McDaniel at Lmcdanie@aaas.org.
Members Affected by Hurricane Katrina: The U.S. Postal Service is not delivering mail to areas with zip codes beginning with 395, 396, 700, 701, and 704. Members in these areas must e-mail Ms. McDaniel for a ballot.
Nominate-2006 Election
AAAS members can suggest nominees (including themselves) for president-elect and the Board of Directors for next year's election. Send your nominee's curriculum vitae no later than 30 November to Gretchen Seiler, AAAS Executive Office, 1200 New York Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., 20005.

Designate AAAS in the U.S. Combined Federal Campaign
The AAAS 2005 CFC campaign number is 9850, listed in the booklet among national and international organizations who are participating. Thank you for supporting AAAS and promoting the Association in your workplace during the official solicitation period from 1 September through 15 December. For more information go to: http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2005/0901cfc.shtml.

AAAS Pacific Division Annual Meeting: "Science Without Boundaries"
Register Early Online
From 18 to 22 June 2006, in San Diego, California, the Pacific Division's meeting will examine water issues in the Southwest; brain structures mediating memory for place, object, and emotion; fragile-X mental retardation; organic aerosol chemistry; and more. For information: http://www.sou.edu/aaaspd/SanDiego2006/index.html. For early registration (save 33%) opening January 1, 2006: http://www.sou.edu/aaaspd.
Call for Symposia
The deadline for early consideration of symposium proposals has passed but a limited number of later submissions also will be considered: http://www.sou.edu/aaaspd/SanDiego2006/Symposia.htm.
Call for Papers and Posters
The deadline for abstracts describing paper or poster presentations at one of the society, section, or symposium sessions is 24 April 2006: http://www.sou.edu/aaaspd/SanDiego2006/CallForPapers.html.
Student Awards Program
Student presentations, oral or poster, will be considered in the judging for awards of excellence including cash awards and yearlong memberships to AAAS.

How to publish your paper in Science
ASCB Annual Conference Showcase
Tuesday, 13 December 2005
4:00 - 5:00 pm, Moscone Center Room 101
Editors from Science will provide an overview of how to get published in Science. Learn more about the process, from submitting your manuscript, through the review procedure, to final publication. An explanation of what types of papers and studies are suitable for publication will be included. Any scientist interested in publishing in Science should plan to attend. Registration for the annual ASCB conference is required.

Come Celebrate: ScienceCareers.org is bigger, better and free
ASCB Annual Conference Showcase
Tuesday, 13 December 2005
5:00 - 6:00 pm, Moscone Center Room 1001
Come celebrate the merging of the two best online career resources: Science Careers and Science's Next Wave are now ScienceCareers.org. Complimentary food and drink will be provided and a short presentation will take you through the new website highlighting the job search, career advice and other improved features. Registration for the annual ASCB conference is required.

'Tis the Season to Give the Gift of Science
This holiday season, your gift of AAAS membership will welcome friends or colleagues into the world's largest general science society. Your gift includes 51 issues of the weekly journal Science and online access to Science archives, career information, and more. As our thank you, you'll receive our popular 125th Science Anniversary shirt. For details and to order, go to http://promo.aaas.org/gift7.

Meet Up at Upcoming Events
Stop by the AAAS booth to pick up your member pin.

National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Southern Area Convention,
1-3 December, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A. Information: http://nsta.org/conventiondetail&Meeting_Code=2005NAS.

European Biotech Crossroads, 28-30 November, Lille, France, Information: http://www.carrefoureuropeendesbiotechnologies.com/.

American Society for Cell Biology Annual Meeting, 10-14 December, San Francisco, California, U.S.A. Information: http://www.ascb.org/meetings/am2005/index.html.

Additional Meetings of Interest

Genetic Analysis: Model Organisms to Human Biology, 5-7 January 2006, San Diego, California, U.S.A. Information: http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/cgi/show/5746/5746xM27805-I325112.

Third International Conference Ubiquitin, Ubiquitin-Like Proteins, and Cancer, 9-11 February 2006, Houston, Texas, U.S.A. Information: http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/cgi/show/5746/5746xM26405-I461442.

The Annual Meeting of the International Hormesis Society, 6-8 June 2006, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, U.S.A. Information: http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/cgi/show/5745/5745xM25505-M320746.

READ ON, ONLINE
AAAS News & Notes appears in Science in the last issue of each month. Or access http://www.aaas.org/or http://www.scienceonline.org/.