Subject:  October Electronic Shadow of a Doubt
 
                      OCTOBER PRESENTATION

     NEW Location this year: Chevy Chase, MD, Library
     8005 Connecticut Avenue, next to the firehouse
     [ 1 mile inside the Beltway at MD exit 33 -- 1/4 mile
     north of East-West Highway ]

2 PM SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15
Free and open to the public


THE CHALLENGER ACCIDENT AND QUANTITATIVE LITERACY: A CHALLENGE
FOR THE SCHOOLS  

DR. LEE R. ABRAMSON       

     In its investigation of the Challenger accident, the Rogers
Commission concluded that a faulty data analysis was a key
contributor to the decision to launch in subfreezing temperatures
- a decision which led to the deaths of seven astronauts and the
expenditure of years of effort and billions of dollars.  At the
heart of the faulty data analysis was a basic error in graphical
data plotting, made by the highly educated and trained  engineers
and scientists in the shuttle program.

     In recent years, mathematics educators and statisticians
have developed a new curriculum to introduce Quantitative
Literacy (QL) into the schools.  For data analysis, the QL
curriculum is based on a few simple but effective graphical
techniques such as stem-and-leaf and box plots.  An NSF-funded
project has as its goal the introduction of these techniques into
the middle and high school science curriculum.

     This talk will illustrate these QL techniques and discuss
efforts to introduce QL into local schools.


     Dr. Abramson is a Senior Research Statistician at the
Nuclear Regulatory Commission.  For the past seven years, he has
been working to promote QL in the schools through the American
Statistical Association and as a school volunteer.


*** OTHER NOTES ***

It's another great movie night at the Denmans'...

     Grace & Chip Denman invite NCAS members and guests for a
pre-Halloween movie night at their home in Silver Spring at 8 pm,
Friday, October 14.  We're planning to show "Curse of the Demon"
(1957) starring Dana Andrews as an ultra-skeptical investigator
confronted by demons, satanic cults, and forces of evil.  There's
only room for 20 or so.  Please leave a message on the NCAS line
(301-587-3827) by Wednesday, Oct. 12, if you'd like to come;
we'll get back to you with directions.  We'll supply the popcorn
and sodas...bring anything else you'd like.


Special Spooky Notice from PBS...

     On Wednesday, October 19, at 9 pm PBS' "The American
Experience" is presenting "Telegrams From the Dead," a
documentary film about spiritualism in 19th century America. 
(The producer met with skeptics James Randi, Jamy Swiss, and Chip
Denman during the planning of this film, but we still don't know
what to expect!)


Special Event at the Smithsonian...

Penn & Teller will be talking about anything they feel like in a
special evening event on December 6.  This is not an NCAS event,
but we will try to provide NCAS members with registration
information as soon as it is available.  Check the NCAS Telephone
Hotline or let your computer commune with ours... see numbers
below.


And Another Special Event for Halloween  [with special thanks to
Chris Norloff]

     The ghosts at Point Lookout State Park, Maryland, have
invited NCAS to a joint meeting on Saturday, October 29.  Since
they are often hard to see, Park Rangers will help locate the
ghosts during a 40-minute tour and program.  Some people claim to
have recorded voices still haunting a land that pirates once
roamed and Confederate soldiers later cursed while imprisoned
there.  (Low-quality recorders are best, we are warned.  No
problem here.)  We intend to return the favor and invite the
ghosts to join us for a great seafood dinner.  Tour tickets are
$2; entrees at the nearby Evans Seafood Restaurant are $12-$20,
or $25 for all-you-can-eat.

     Now here's the deal:  We should meet at the Park at about
6:30 PM for the tour.  (Point Lookout is about a 1"-hour drive
from the Beltway, south on MD 5.)  Because tickets are expected
to go fast after they go on sale October 11, we need a headcount
as soon as possible.  Though forever skeptical, we'll trust you
for the 2 bucks and pick up the tickets.  Buy your dinner from
the menu.  Call the Hotline or the BBS now to reserve a ticket;
let us know if you need, or can offer, a ride.


NCAS HOTLINE (301) 587-3827 (RECORDED MESSAGES)

NCAS ELECTRONIC BBS (703) 280-1446  
(2400 8N1 Press Return at Connect)