In this issue:

Message to Members: News from the AAAS Forum on S&T Policy

News to Note: Protecting Science in Classrooms, Clinical Trials Participants, UK Innovation Minister, Grim Prospects of Climate Change, Toxic Legacy of Agent Orange

Advancing Science, Serving Society: Professional Development for K-12 Science Educators
Science Careers: Report from Conference, Article Writing Workshop

Announcements: Personalized Medicine Round Table, EuroScience Reception, Nominations Deadlines for Four AAAS Awards, Applications Deadline for Young Life Scientists Prize, Science Signaling Call for Papers, New Webinar

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Message to Members

News from the AAAS Forum on Science and Technology Policy

Dear AAAS Member,

Fresh water and food supplies, climate change, energy demands--the urgent challenges of an "extreme future" require 21 st century scientists and policy makers to adopt a new, more global approach to scientific organization and science funding. This was the consensus of experts in one session of the May AAAS Forum on S&T Policy.

During the two-day meeting, panels and speakers offered a diverse mix of topics, ranging from planetary sustainability to the use of science advocacy to broaden understanding of policy benefits and consequences among lawmakers and the public. Former CIA chief R. James Woolsey addressed the common ground between environmental activists and security experts in combating climate change and terrorism threats. John H. Marburger III, director of the White House Office of S&T Policy, reviewed the developments of recent years and offered counsel for the future. S&T policy expert Lewis M. Branscomb, delivering the William D. Carey Lecture, warned that the government’s "sustained complacency" on innovation policy is a risk to US economic growth. Former US Rep. John E. Porter was bluntly critical of recent US science policy, urging researchers to mobilize for the 2008 US election, and a panel of science leaders outlined an ambitious agenda for a new administration. Another panel discussed how a tech-savvy generation of global citizens is getting S&T news through blogs, virtual worlds, and hip science magazines.

For full news coverage, programs, and links to speakers’ presentations, go to
http://www.aaas.org/news/press_room/forum/

Your AAAS membership helps support the premier annual public policy meeting in the United States and our many other science policy, education, and international initiatives.

Sincerely,


Alan I. Leshner, CEO, AAAS

P.S. Earlier this month, all AAAS members started receiving the AAAS Policy Alert on the federal S&T budget, pending and passed legislation, congressional and executive branch updates, and much more. We hope you enjoy this new weekly benefit for AAAS members.

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News to Note

Continuing AAAS Efforts to Protect Science in America’s Public Schools
AAAS is urging the governor of the US state of Oklahoma to veto a bill that aims to protect the expression of religious viewpoints by students in their schoolwork, but could also undermine the teaching of evolution and other science concepts. A letter from AAAS CEO Alan I. Leshner to Governor Brad Henry suggests "...if a student were to state on an exam that the age of the earth is 6,000 years old, according to his/her religious belief, rather than the 4.5 billion years cited in the textbook, this bill could potentially force his/her teacher to give the student a good grade for an incorrect response. This is no way to teach science." Read more about the letter.

AAAS opposed a second action, in the state of Louisiana, where two antievolution bills are pending in the legislature. In the early 1980s, Louisiana’s lawmakers approved a bill requiring equal time for creationism in science classrooms, which was struck down by the US Supreme Court in 1987. Read the AAAS-authored opinion pieces in The Times-Picayune and the Shreveport Times.

Other state legislatures, including Michigan, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, and Missouri, have proposed similar bills--the latter three died at the end of state legislative sessions. Find out more about AAAS’s continuing efforts at our Evolution on the Front Line web page.

The UK’s First Innovation Minister Delivers AAAS Public Lecture
John Denham, the first head of the newly founded innovation department of Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s government, spoke at an April public lecture co-sponsored by the AAAS International Office and the British Embassy. Denham explained the UK’s ambitious new effort to make innovation a policy centerpiece on issues such as climate change, sustainable development, energy, environment, lifelong health, and global security. The new minister stressed that "the real answers will only come through international cooperation," saying his department will support research collaborations with US researchers. Read more and access the UK White Paper "Innovation Nation."

AAAS Congressional Briefing Urges Research on the Protection of Participants in Clinical Trials
The clinical trials environment is changing dramatically. The number of industry-sponsored trials and participants is increasing. A few years ago, most trials took place in academic medical centers and were funded by the federal government or philanthropic organizations. Now, many are outsourced to private companies and physicians’ offices or are conducted abroad. A panel of experts at a May briefing hosted by AAAS and the Hastings Center questioned whether the federal protection system adopted in the 1970s is adequate today, saying more data are needed to determine the efficacy of current standards. The panel also noted suggestions for a single oversight structure for human research studies. Read more.

AAAS US House Briefing Addresses Toxic Legacy of Agent Orange
Urging scientific diplomacy between the United States and Vietnam, AAAS Chief International Officer Vaughan Turekian stated that "it is time to address this legacy of war…so that our rapidly growing bilateral relationship can continue to flourish." Appearing at a May hearing of a House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee, Turekian noted the strong scientific association between Agent Orange exposure and certain types of cancers, and some association with congenital birth disorders, as reported by the Institute of Medicine of the US National Academies. A US State Department deputy assistant secretary told the panel that he "reaffirmed the refusal by the United States to accept legal liability for damages alleged to be related to Agent Orange." He also said, "The effect of Agent Orange needs to be based on credible scientific research that meets international standards." The Vietnamese government estimates 3 million Vietnamese still suffer health effects due to the spraying of Agent Orange in southern and central Vietnam between 1962 and 1975. Read more and access the full testimony.

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Advancing Science, Serving Society

AAAS’ Project 2061 Offers Professional Development Opportunities for K-12 Science Educators
A series of five three-day workshops, "Using Atlas of Science Literacy, " gives participants a new perspective on standards-based reform and the tools to improve curricula, instruction, and assessment. Workshops are schedule for Columbus, Ohio; Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Birmingham, Alabama; Washington, D.C.; and San Francisco, California, from July to November. Access the workshop agendas and dates, scholarship availability, and co-hosting opportunities.

The Atlas of Science Literacy, Volumes 1 and 2, is published by AAAS’s Project 2061, a long-term initiative to advance literacy in science, mathematics, and technology. The two volumes offer nearly 100 strand maps that present conceptual connections among the ideas and skills that all students should learn. Maps graphically display the development of understanding of important topics such as gravity, natural selection, weather and climate, and statistical reasoning for students from kindergarten through grade 12. Access more information about the atlas.

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Science Careers

Read the latest career features from Science Careers. You can also search jobs, get career advice, find grant information and much more on www.sciencecareers.org - all for free.

Report from the Conference on Understanding Interventions that Encourage Minorities to Pursue Research Careers
The 2 nd Annual Conference, held in early May in Atlanta, Georgia, attracted 200 researchers, sponsors, program designers, evaluators, and policy analysts to focus on strategies for recruiting and training underrepresented students along the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) pathway to the work force. The conference featured a mix of plenary panels, mini-symposia, and posters that detailed approaches for mentoring and career choice, as well as funding, collaborations, and publishing. African Americans, Latinos, and American Indians comprise more than 30 percent of the school-age population, yet those graduating with degrees in the natural sciences are less than 15 percent annually. Access the program book with strategies for effective interventions. Also, check this website for updates on planning for the 3 rd annual conference, to be posted this summer. For more information, e-mail Daryl Chubin, dchubin@aaas.org or Anthony DePass, anthony.depass@liu.edu.

A Guide to Writing the Model Article
If you plan to attend the annual meeting of the Physiological Society in Cambridge, UK, in July, be sure to mark your calendar for a workshop presented by Science Careers. On 14 July, join Science editor Stella Hurtley who will present "A Guide to Writing the Model Article." Details.

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Announcements

Personalized Medicine Roundtable at AAAS -- 20 June
The scientific basis and individual and societal implications of personalized medicine, treatment tailored to individual needs, will be explored at a Roundtable on Anticipating Personalized Medicine hosted by the AAAS and the Food and Drug Law Institute (FDLI) from 9:00 am to 12 noon ET on 20 June at AAAS in Washington, D.C. Information and registration details

EuroScience Open Forum Reception, Barcelona, Spain -- 19 July
AAAS will host a reception for our European members and attendees of ESOF in Barcelona at Casa Batlló, Antonio Gaudí’s architectural masterpiece in the center of the city. Please join AAAS CEO Alan Leshner and other key AAAS staff for tapas and drinks and a memorable evening. For details, go to http://promo.aaas.org/2008_ESOF/.
Learn more about Casa Batlló at www.casabatllo.es

Nominations Deadline for the 2008 AAAS Newcomb Cleveland Prize: 30 June
The AAAS Newcomb Cleveland Prize, supported by Affymetrix, acknowledges an outstanding paper published in the Articles, Research Articles, or Reports sections of Science. For more information contact Sylvia Kihara at + 1 (202) 326-6507, e-mail skihara@aaas.org.

Nominations Deadline for the 2008 AAAS Mentor Awards -- 31 July
The AAAS Lifetime Mentor Award and the AAAS Mentor Awar d honor individuals who, during their careers, demonstrate extraordinary leadership to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in the science and engineering Ph.D. work force. These groups include: women of all racial or ethnic groups; African American, Native American, and Hispanic men; and people with disabilities. For questions, contact Jessica Kunkler at jkunkler@aaas.org or at +1 (202) 326-6671.

Application Deadline for the GE and Science Prize for Young Life Scientists –
1 August
The GE and Science Prize for Young Life Scientists is a prize worth US$25,000 will recognize research in molecular biology by an outstanding graduate student. The deadline for applications is 1 August.

Nominations Deadline for the 2008 Science Journalism Awards: 1 August
The AAAS Science Journalism Awards, sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C. (J&JPRD), represent the ultimate achievement in the field of science reporting. Prizes are awarded in seven categories: large and small newspapers, magazines, television, radio, online media outlets, and children’s science news. For more information contact Earl Lane at + 1 (202) 326-6431, e-mail elane@aaas.org.

Nominations Deadline for the 2008 AAAS Award for Public Understanding of S&T: 15 August
The AAAS Award for Public Understanding of Science and Technology recognizes working scientists and engineers who make outstanding contributions to the "popularization of science." For more information contact Stacey Pasco at +1 (202) 326-6645, e-mail spasco@aaas.org.

Submit Papers to Science Signaling
Formerly known as Science ’s STKE, Science Signaling is adding original research beginning in September. Each week, leading-edge findings will be published in addition to current features. Researchers are invited to submit papers that provide new concepts and new understanding of biological signal transduction for publication consideration. Science Signaling also welcomed the new Chief Science Editor, Michael B. Yaffe, Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Submit your work here.

New Science /AAAS Webinar: Advances in GPCR Research – Recorded Live on 17 June
Membrane bound G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play an integral role in sensing the external environment of the cell. Their position at the apex of essential signal transduction pathways means that malfunctioning of these molecules frequently leads to disease, making them a perfect target for drug therapies. Join our panel of experts to learn more about these important and essential proteins, including their role in signaling and disease. Have the opportunity to ask questions live and in real time.
Register today:  www.sciencemag.org/webinar
Produced by the Science /AAAS Business Office and sponsored by Roche.

Winning Science Covers on Display in New Exhibit
Three Science covers by staff illustrator Chris Bickel were selected for the prestigious Illustrators Club Exhibition in Washington, D.C. Bickel won a gold award for a journal cover featuring a digital depiction of various immune cells. His covers are displayed along with editorial, advertising, and brochure art by 46 illustrators in the metropolitan Washington, D.C., area. The free exhibit is open to the public through 27 June. Access exhibit details and read about Bickel’s process of turning science into art.
 
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