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Do you care whether our government's policies are based on sound science? Worried about health or your kids' science education? Want to know what's up with climate change and energy? Or what we're doing to build the next great American economy? See the Top American Science Questions and sign the call!

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Shawn Otto's Book Fool Me Twice Book: why this is important

National Poll Poll: why this is important

Shawn Otto's Book Launch Party Video: why this is important

Uncle Sam Wants YOU for U.S. Science

Are we losing what made America great?
A Debate on Science and America’s Future

"Given the many urgent scientific and technological challenges facing America and the rest of the world, the increasing need for accurate scientific information in political decision making, and the vital role scientific innovation plays in spurring economic growth and competitiveness, we call for public debates in which the U.S. presidential and congressional candidates share their views on the issues of The Environment, Health and Medicine, and Science and Technology Policy."

AAAS 2012 Elections Site




Making Geek Chic at the National Academy of Sciences

We here at Science Debate are continuing our work to raise the profile of science in the national dialogue.

On Tuesday, cofounder Shawn Lawrence Otto is speaking at the National Academies on the Science Debate effort and the challenges of framing and communicating science and science policy in an environment of profit-driven news media who are slashing their science sections, political reporters who don't cover science and science reporters who have no access to the political pages, politicians who think nobody cares and it's too risky, and a public that is yearning for science talk especially on how it affects their lives, but has no idea where to turn for quick, reliable information.  Otto will be joined on the panel by several truly amazing people, and it should make for a great discussion.  If you're in the D.C. area, stop by!  And, as always, your individual or ongoing monthly contributions keep us going.  Thanks!

The National Academies Presents: An Educational Event on Science Communication

The National Academies is holding an educational event on innovative strategies for communicating science. The event is intended for scientists, practitioners, students and educators looking for new ways to reach audiences and effectively communicate scientific issues to the public. Speakers include Shawn Otto, CEO of Science Debate 2008; Phil Plait, President of the James Randi Education Foundation; and Jerry Zucker, Director of Ghost and Airplane! and Vice-Chair the Science & Entertainment Exchange.

NOTE: This event is free and open to the public. An RSVP is required for each individual session. Please contact Olive Schwarzschild, oschwarz@nas.edu
Tuesday, JUNE 23, 2009
The National Academies
500 Fifth Street, N.W.
Keck 100
Washington, DC


Session 1 - 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Science for All Seasons: Communicating Science to Diverse Audiences
This panel will explore various ways in which science is communicated to diverse, non-specialist audiences. The mix of participants, selected to represent contrasting but complementary approaches, will highlight a variety of outreach strategies, describing "best practices" scenarios from which scientists and science organizations can learn.
Panelists Include:
· Sue Allen, The Exploratorium
· Don Hoyt Gorman, Senior Editor, SEED Online
· Meghan Murphy, Director of Outreach, X Prize Foundation
· Shawn Otto, Co-founder and CEO of Science Debate 2008
· Kelly Stoetzel, Producer, TED conferences
Moderated by: Barbara Kline Pope, Executive Director, Office of Communications, The National Academies
NOTE: RSVP is required. Please contact Olive Schwarzschild, oschwarz@nas.edu.


Session 2 - 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Information - and Misinformation - at the Speed of Light
Featured Speaker: Phil Plait, President of the James Randi Education Foundation and author of the highly popular Bad Astronomy blog
Phil Plait looks at how science communication has been changed by the Internet. He will talk about how blogging, online media, and even Twitter have been leveraged to spread science information - and sometimes misinformation - to millions of people around the globe, focusing on the best ways to harness all that the Web has to offer.
NOTE: RSVP is required. Please contact Olive Schwarzschild, oschwarz@nas.edu.


Session 3 - 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Science and Hollywood: Education Through Entertainment
Beyond good storytelling, entertainment channels affect opinions, inform ideas, and even change behavior. This panel will focus on the intersections of science and entertainment to explore the power of the popular media to communicate key ideas in science.
Panelists Include:
· Neal Baer, Executive Producer for Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Chair of the Advisory Board for Hollywood, Health, and Society
· Jim Kakalios, University of Minnesota physicist, author of The Physics of Superheroes and science advisor to the film Watchmen
· Bruce Joel Rubin, Screenwriter for Deep Impact, The Last Mimzy, and the forthcoming adaptation of the best-selling book, The Time Traveler's Wife
· Anne Simon, University of Maryland virologist, author of The Real Science Behind the X-Files and long-time advisor to the television series
Moderated by: Jerry Zucker, Director of such feature films as Ghost, First Knight, Rat Race, and Airplane!, and vice-chair of The Science & Entertainment Exchange
The panel will be introduced by President of the National Academy of Sciences, Ralph J. Cicerone.
NOTE: RSVP is required. Please contact Olive Schwarzschild, oschwarz@nas.edu.