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NSF Director and NSF-Supported Researchers Highlighted at AAAS MeetingA speech by the National Science Foundation's (NSF) director, a symposium involving members of the National Science Board (NSB), and research discussions by many NSF-supported scientists and educators will highlight a week-long agenda at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) conference in San Francisco from February 15-20. NSF director Rita Colwell. Colwell will speak on science literacy in a lecture titled "Uncommon Knowledge to Common Ground: A New Frontier for Scientific and Technological Literacy." (Special Lecture: Sun., Feb. 18, 1:00-1:45 p.m.). Colwell also will host a breakfast for working journalists attending the AAAS meeting (Media Breakfast With NSF Director Rita Colwell," Sat., Feb. 17, 8:30-10 a.m.). Advance registration is required. Other major activities by topical areas include: Science Policy. NSB chairman Eamon Kelly and NSB executive officer Marta Cehelsky will host a symposium on the impact of revolutionary changes in science and technology (S&T;), as well as globalization, on science policy. Former NSF director Erich Bloch and Jane Lubchenco of the NSB are among key participants to discuss the environment, information technology, the role of developing countries and federal S&T; investments in an era of partnerships ("Science Policy: The Next 50 Years," Feb. 18, 9:00 a.m.-noon). Astronomy. Astronomy and cosmology offer a glimpse into the early universe and the infancy of stars and planets. Scientists from NSF's national observatories and NSF-supported researchers offer models of working together across the globe to learn about stars, planets and other objects outside our solar system. ("A Telescope the Size of Earth: Global Astronomy Networks," Feb. 18, 9:00 a.m.-noon). Biology. The diversity and ecological dominance of green plants are paramount to life on Earth. The Green Plant Phylogeny Research Coordination Group ("Deep Green") was formed to facilitate communication and coordination among researchers working in this area. At a special symposium, NSF-funded researchers will discuss the evolutionary and biological implications of green plants ("Deep Green: Phylogeny, Evolution and Genomics of the Green Plants," Feb. 16, 2:30-5:30 p.m.). Bio-informatics. NSF-funded researchers Stephanie Teasley, University of Michigan, and David Roos, University of Pennsylvania, will discuss innovative ways in which the explosion of biological data is being managed and used. The session will provide a cross-cultural experience for both laboratory biologists and computer scientists ("Staying Afloat in a Sea of Data," Feb. 19, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.). Computer Science. NSF-funded researchers Tom Finholt, University of Michigan, Ken Bishop and Leonard Krishtalka, University of Kansas, discuss progress in using the national Grid of high performance networks to access advanced computational resources ("Impact of Computer Networking Technologies on Scientific Research," Feb. 19, 3:00-6:00 p.m.). Mathematics. How do statistical models help us understand music? What is the mathematically optimal language? NSF-supported researchers speak on mathematics' relationship to music ("Understanding Music With Statistical Models," Feb. 18, 9:00 a.m.-noon). Other sessions look at mathematics' relationships to the brain, to art and even to magic. Math and Science Education. The Third International Mathematics and Science Study-Repeat (TIMSS-R) found that U.S. eighth-graders continue to lag behind many other developed nations in math and science achievement. NSF-funded education researchers will discuss the implications of the TIMSS-R results. ("Journey Beyond TIMSS: Rethinking Professional Development," Feb 18, 9:00 a.m.-noon, and "Beyond TIMSS: Additional Insight," 2:45-4:15 p.m.). Nanotechnology. A two-day (nine-hour) AAAS seminar explores the possibilities and benefits of manipulating individual atoms and molecules. NSF-supported researchers discuss nano-scale techniques for analyzing DNA, creating novel properties of materials, creating electronic components, and other endeavors in the world of the ultra-small ("Nanotechnology: A New Frontier for Science and Engineering," Feb. 15-16). Paleobiology. A species of clam living in Mexico's Colorado River Delta is nearing extinction because humans use so much river water there that only a trickle now reaches the sea. NSF funded paleobiologist Karl Flessa, University of Arizona at Tucson, will talk about Mulinia coloradoensis, a clam once so abundant that entire islands in the river are built of its empty shells. Fewer than 30 of these clams exist today ("Extinction Vulnerability: Conservation Biology vs. Paleobiological Patterns," Feb. 18, time to be determined). Social/behavioral sciences. Infants learn language by using an innate sense of probability to understand words as well as music. Jenny Saffran of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a recipient of an NSF Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, and Rebecca Gomez of Johns Hopkins University, will discuss this research and its implications. ("Tools Human Infants Might Use to Learn Language," Feb 19, 4:30-6:00p.m.). For more information contact:
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