NCAS
Public Lecture Series
"U.S. Science Education and Global Competitiveness"
Bruce A. Fuchs, Ph.D.
Director of the NIH Office of Science Education
In December of last year the results of the latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) were released and, once again, U.S. students performed poorly in science and math compared to students from many other countries. We are going to look at some of the international student data and talk about what we can, and cannot, conclude from these types of studies.
Dr. Fuchs is responsible for monitoring a range of science education policy issues and providing advice to National Institutes of Health (NIH) leadership.
For more information, visit
Dr. Fuchs is responsible for monitoring a range of science education policy issues and providing advice to National Institutes of Health (NIH) leadership.
For more information, visit
Saturday,
February 12,
1:30 p.m. -
3:00 p.m., followed by refreshments
National Science Foundation, Room 110
4201 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA
National Science Foundation, Room 110
4201 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA
(Near
Ballston–Marymount University Metro)
Enter NSF from the corner of N Stuart St & 9th St N.(map) (directions)
Enter NSF from the corner of N Stuart St & 9th St N.(map) (directions)
Northeast Conference on Science & Skepticism 2011
The third annual Northeast Conference on Science & Skepticism (NECSS – pronounced "nexus") is scheduled for April 9-10 at the Baruch Performing Arts Center in Manhattan. As its name suggests, NECSS explores the intersection of science, skepticism, the media, and society for the purpose of promoting a more rational world. Scheduled speakers include Eugenie C. Scott, Phil Plait, Steve Novella, John Allen Paulos, and many more. For more information, visit necsscon.org.
Special Offer for NCAS Members Attending NECSS 2011
NECSS is offering a substantial advance group registration discount for NCAS and other skeptical organizations: $30 off the $95 general admission price. A minimum of 15 registrants is required to get the discount. Contact NCAS at ncas@ncas.org or (301) 587-3827 by March 1 if you wish to attend. Please provide the number of requested tickets and the registrant name(s). We'll contact you in early March to let you know if we've reached our goal of 15 or more. We'll also provide instructions for payment at the reduced rate.
Mark Your Calendars: Joel Achenbach
Be sure to join us at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 7 at the National Science Foundation when NCAS presents its 2011 Philip J. Klass Award for outstanding contributions in critical thinking and scientific understanding to Joel Achenbach, long-time staff writer for the Washington Post. Achenbach is also the author of seven books, including Captured by Aliens: The Search for Life and Truth in a Very Large Universe, three volumes of Why Things Are (compilations of his long-running newspaper column), and his newest, A Hole at the Bottom of the Sea: The Race to Kill the BP Oil Gusher. Achenbach will become the first journalist to win the Klass Award, named in honor of the noted aerospace journalist and skeptic, who was also one of the original conveners of NCAS in 1987 and an important long-time mentor to our organization.
Drinking Skeptically, now in MD and VA!
On Wednesday, February 9 at 7:00 p.m., please join fellow NCASers at either of our simultaneous DC-area Drinking Skeptically events:
Jackie's
Sidebar
Be sure to join us at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 7 at the National Science Foundation when NCAS presents its 2011 Philip J. Klass Award for outstanding contributions in critical thinking and scientific understanding to Joel Achenbach, long-time staff writer for the Washington Post. Achenbach is also the author of seven books, including Captured by Aliens: The Search for Life and Truth in a Very Large Universe, three volumes of Why Things Are (compilations of his long-running newspaper column), and his newest, A Hole at the Bottom of the Sea: The Race to Kill the BP Oil Gusher. Achenbach will become the first journalist to win the Klass Award, named in honor of the noted aerospace journalist and skeptic, who was also one of the original conveners of NCAS in 1987 and an important long-time mentor to our organization.
Shadow
Light
Some
members
and contacts of NCAS receive a postal notification of this and every
new monthly Shadow
of a Doubt. The Shadow
Light postcard announces the monthly lecture and highlights
of
the electronic Shadow
of a Doubt, which is available online at ncas.org/shadow. NCAS thereby reduces Shadow production
and postage costs. To further reduce costs, members and
contacts
can opt out of postal notification altogether, while continuing to
receive Shadow
of a Doubt via
e-mail. To opt out, send us an e-mail at ncas@ncas.org.
Drinking Skeptically, now in MD and VA!
On Wednesday, February 9 at 7:00 p.m., please join fellow NCASers at either of our simultaneous DC-area Drinking Skeptically events:
Jackie's
Sidebar8081
Georgia Avenue (entrance on Sligo Avenue) in Silver Spring, MD
Chevys
Fresh Mex
4238
Wilson Blvd (Ballston Common Mall) in Arlington, VA
The February issue of Washingtonian magazine features the Sidebar on its cover, for a story on the best bars in the DC area.
Drinking Skeptically is an informal social event designed to promote fellowship and networking among skeptics, critical-thinkers, and like-minded individuals. There's no cover charge and all are welcome. Don't drink? Don't let that stop you from joining us! Some of the world's most famous skeptics are teetotalers, and we are happy to have you! Remember that drinking skeptically means drinking responsibly. If there's one thing science has taught us, it's the effects of alcohol on the human body.
Drinking Skeptically is an informal social event designed to promote fellowship and networking among skeptics, critical-thinkers, and like-minded individuals. There's no cover charge and all are welcome. Don't drink? Don't let that stop you from joining us! Some of the world's most famous skeptics are teetotalers, and we are happy to have you! Remember that drinking skeptically means drinking responsibly. If there's one thing science has taught us, it's the effects of alcohol on the human body.
NCAS Board Elections Coming
Are you an NCAS member who wants to take
a leadership role in the skeptics movement?
The NCAS annual board of directors election is
fast approaching. Send a bio sketch by email to
ncas@ncas.org for the ballot by March 31.
Time
to Renew?
Be
sure
to check your renewal date above your postal address on the Shadow
Light postcard.
Send any queries to ncas@ncas.org.