On Saturday, for Earth Day, activists in 600 cities around the world assembled in support of science education, science funding and science-driven policy. I participated in the Pittsburgh event. I wanted to express my support for common goals. I wanted to participate with my local science and technology community, which has provided me with education and employment and has been a vital part of the region in the post-steel era. And I wanted to experience the event for myself, to see who would be there and hear what they had to say and how they said it. The walking would also provide a good opportunity to reflect on science in the public sphere.
[Read more…] about Science in Review: Taking Science into the Streets
Public Policy
Science Corner: Mail to the Chief
For better or worse, science topics haven’t been a big part of the conversation around the current US election cycle. Job creation and healthcare costs obviously factor more directly into the daily lives of many voters. On the other hand, well, let’s just say I would have liked to replace a few of the debate questions to learn more of what the candidates are thinking about climate change or gene editing. Granted I am always up for more science, but it’s not unthinkable. Sixteen years ago, stem cell research featured prominently in the national conversation. More recently, Obama led a push in neuroscience with his BRAIN initiative. While there isn’t necessarily a single binary decision facing the nation at this moment, there is still plenty of science with broad implications to talk about.
[Read more…] about Science Corner: Mail to the Chief
American Scientific Affiliation Posts 2010 Annual Meeting Audios
The American Scientific Affiliation (ASA) has just begun to post audio podcasts of the talks from their 65th Annual Meeting: Science, Faith, and Public Policy (Catholic University in America, Washington, D.C.). I’d encourage you to check out their library.
Three presentations which I found of particular value and commend to you are …
- Experiences of a Scientist-Christian in the Washington Fishbowl
- An Introduction to a Systematic Theology of Medicine
- Seeking Other Earths: Exoplanets and the Significance of Life
If you have comments on any of these presentations, please post them here. If you’d prefer a private on-line discussion group on one of these presentations, let me know.
Note 1: Files of many of the presentation slides will also be posted on the ASA site. We’ll keep you up-to-date. In addition, interviews of several ASA presenters are in process for posting on the ESN blog. As you may remember, we already have posted
- Interview: Ted Davis, the Story of a Historian of Science (21.208) and History of Science Recommendations from Ted Davis
- Interview: Jimmy Lin, Medical and Scientific Doxologist
Note 2: If you’re a student in the sciences (or interested in the sciences), don’t miss the ASA’s special student rate of $20 a year. To learn more about the benefits of membership click here. Might make a good item to request as a birthday or Christmas gift. Just an idea 😉
Note 3:Â ESN’s looking forward to more conversations on the relationship of science-faith on the blog AND at next year’s ASA mtgs, which will be hosted by North Central College, in the Chicago area, July 29 – Aug 1, 2011. Mark your calendars!