Date: May 29, 2009
Editor: Sharon Yep
"Reports & Events" is a monthly list of selected events open to the public and a listing of National Academies reports tentatively scheduled for release next month. A complete listing of events can be accessed at http://search.nap.edu/nap-cgi/events.cgi.
MEETINGS
Women in science and engineering
June 2
(Washington, D.C.)
Gender Differences at Critical Transitions in the Careers of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Faculty, a new congressionally mandated report from the National Research Council, examines the rates at which women and men are hired and promoted in science and engineering jobs at top research universities, and assesses the extent to which they have similar opportunities. The report will be released at a one-hour public briefing starting at 10 a.m. in Room 100 of the National Academies' Keck Center, 500 Fifth St., N.W. Reporters who wish to attend should register in advance.
CONTACT: Office of News and Public Information, 202-334-2138
Earth system science at NASA
June 22-24
(Washington, D.C.)
Twenty years ago NASA started the Earth system science program to study the planet from space as a whole rather than its individual parts. Just as the invention of the mirror allowed humans to see their images with clarity, Earth observations from space have allowed people to see themselves living on and altering a dynamic planet. To discuss the program's pertinent discoveries and look ahead to future opportunities, the Earth Science Division of NASA's Science Mission Directorate is sponsoring the symposium "NASA Earth System Science at 20: Accomplishments, Plans, and Challenges," which will be co-hosted by the National Research Council's Ocean Studies Board, Space Studies Board, and Board on Earth Sciences and Resources. More information is available online. The symposium will be held at the National Academy of Sciences building, 2100 C St., N.W. Reporters who wish to attend should register in advance.
CONTACT: Office of News and Public Information, 202-334-2138
REPORTS
The following reports from the National Academies are tentatively scheduled for release during June. However, release dates depend on successful completion of the review process and publishing schedules. Reporters who would like to be notified when a report is due for release should contact the Office of News and Public Information -- 202-334-2138 or e-mail <news@nas.edu> -- and ask to be placed on the contact list.
EDUCATION and SOCIAL ISSUES
Gender Differences at Critical Transitions in the Careers of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Faculty
[National Research Council]
(See listing under Meetings.)
Mathematics in Early Childhood: Learning Paths Toward Excellence and Equity
[National Research Council
Assesses the math education given to U.S. preschoolers and recommends ways to improve it. The report identifies math concepts that children in this age group should learn and presents principles for curriculum developers and teachers to follow.
The Socioeconomic Effects of Public Sector Information on Digital Networks: Toward a Better Understanding of Different Access and Reuse Policies
[National Research Council]
Summarizes a February 2008 workshop that explored policies of the U.S. and other nations toward digital dissemination of data collected by government agencies.
SCIENTIFIC ENTERPRISE
America's Future in Space
[National Research Council]
Reviews the history of U.S. space policy and identifies key goals and critical issues that must be addressed in order to maintain U.S. leadership in space.
Scientific Value of Arctic Sea Ice Imagery Derived Products
[National Academy of Sciences and National Research Council]
Examines the scientific value of classified images of Arctic sea ice and identifies those that could be useful to research if publicly released.
SAFETY
The Disposal of Activated Carbon From Chemical Agent Disposal Facilities
[National Research Council]
Examines current protocols for disposal of activated carbon -- used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems -- at Army chemical agent disposal facilities. The report also looks at protocols used in commercial and industry facilities to see if they should be adopted by the Army.
TRANSPORTATION
Funding Options for Freight Transportation Projects of National Significance
[National Research Council]
Develops criteria to define what constitutes a "nationally significant" transportation project, analyzes the rationale for public investment in these projects, and evaluates potential financing mechanisms.
Letter Report on Strategy and Direction of FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership
[National Research Council]
Reviews the strategy and program structure of the FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership, a federal program in collaboration with the U.S. Council for Automotive Research and five energy companies. The letter report makes suggestions on how the overall structure of the program could be improved.
Letter Report on Transit Research and Development: Federal Role in the National Program
[National Research Council]
Sixth annual letter report in a series advising the Federal Transit Administration on the federal role in transit research, high-priority research opportunities, and processes to ensure cooperation of stakeholders.
ALSO OF INTEREST
Magazine’s 25th Anniversary Issue
In June, ISSUES IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY will release a special 25th anniversary issue. The magazine will include the text of President Obama's May speech to the National Academy of Sciences, along with a dozen articles in which authors propose five-year plans in many areas, including sustainability science, transportation, genetics and health care, science and technology for development, and synthetic biology. The issue will be available at http://www.issues.org.
Marian Koshland Science Museum
(Washington, D.C.)
The Marian Koshland Science Museum of the National Academy of Sciences holds public programs on a variety of science-related topics. Upcoming events include:
-- An Evening with Science Writers: High School Students and Pros (June 3, 6:30 p.m.)
-- Tiny Conspiracies: Cell-to-Cell Communication in Bacteria (June 18, 6:30 p.m.)
-- Built for Better Health: Improving Man-made Environments (June 20, 11 a.m.)
For more information, visit http://www.koshland-science-museum.org/
CONTACT: Annie Drinkard, 202-334-1612 or e-mail <adrinkard@nas.edu>
Distinctive Voices @ The Jonsson Center
(Woods Hole, Mass.)
The Distinctive Voices series explores the far-reaching role of science, technology, and medicine in our lives. Upcoming programs include:
-- The Frontiers of the Heliosphere: New Insights from Voyagers 1 and 2 (June 17, 7 p.m.)
-- Climate Change and Public Health (June 30, 7 p.m.)
For more information, visit http://www.nasonline.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Jonsson_Upcoming_Events
CONTACT: Margaret Collins, 508-548-2502 or e-mail <mcollins@nas.edu>
Distinctive Voices @ The Beckman Center
(Irvine, Calif.)
-- Whence Morality: Biology or Religion: Lecture by Francisco Ayala, Ph.D. (June 3, 7 p.m.)
For more information, visit http://www.nasonline.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Beckman_Upcoming_Events
CONTACT: Susan Marty, 949-721-2213 or e-mail <voicesatbeckman@nas.edu>
Evolution Matters: A Lecture by David Hillis
(Washington, D.C.)
How is evolution relevant to everyday life? David Hillis, a professor at University of Texas, Austin, will discuss the use of evolution in responding to the threat of emerging diseases, solving crimes, and identifying agents of bioterrorism. The lecture will take place at 7 p.m. June 8 in the National Academy of Sciences building, 2100 C St., N.W. This event is co-sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. For more information, visit http://www.nasonline.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Experience_Future_Events_David_Hillis
CONTACT: Alana Quinn, 202-334-2415 or e-mail <aquinn@nas.edu>
Neuroscience, memory, and the performing arts
(Washington, D.C.)
The Shakespeare Theater will present a free performance of Replica, a collaborative piece by Daniel Archam, Jonah Bokaer, and Judith Sanchez Ruiz that examines memory loss, pattern recognition, and perceptual faculties as they apply to the human body. A panel discussion will take place that evening.
July 1, Noon – Replica performance, Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F St., N.W.
July 1, 6:30 p.m. – Panel discussion, National Academies’ Keck Center, 500 Fifth Street, N.W.
For more information, visit http://www.nasonline.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Experience_Future_Events_Neuroscience
CONTACT: Alana Quinn, 202-334-2415 or e-mail <aquinn@nas.edu>
RESOURCES FOR REPORTERS
Science, medicine, and technology form the basis for many of the day's top news stories. Whether you are looking for background or searching for a different angle, check out http://national-academies.org/headlines.
Check out podcasts from the National Academies on all areas of science, engineering, and medicine at http://national-academies.org/podcast/, booklets at http://national-academies.org/publications/#booklets, and resources on evolution at http://national-academies.org/evolution/.
View the most recent Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences articles online by visiting This Week in Early Edition at http://www.pnas.org/site/misc/highlights.shtml, or PNAS in the News at http://www.pnas.org/site/misc/news.shtml. Journalists may register to receive embargoed material by contacting the PNAS News Office at <pnasnews@nas.edu>.
This guide, along with news releases and other documents from the Office of News and Public Information, is available on the Internet at http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/bydate.aspx.
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