AAAS San Diego Meeting Welcomes Families, Public
No, they don't sell maps or car insurance -- AAAS is the American Association for the Advancement of Science
, the largest general scientific society in the world. AAAS members are some of the planet's most respected scientists and researchers, and this weekend, they're coming to San Diego.Click for a YouTube clip of the conference view
AAAS members make discoveries in everything from AIDS treatment to nuclear waste removal, and from dinosaur paleontology to cosmic mysteries. At this weekend's AAAS annual meeting, researchers will present their work on earthquakes, the search for alien life, making fuel from algae, and many other cutting edge, life-changing topics.
But you don't need a Ph.D. to get a taste of the action. Whether you're online or if you're in the Southern California area, you and your family can be part of the the AAAS Annual Meeting buzz.
Here's How to Participate:
Family Science Days (Sat-Sun, Feb. 20-21): If you're in the San Diego area, come visit the free Family Science Days booths in the Exhibit Hall. Meet real scientists, and learn about the "Physics of Superheroes" from the scientist behind the Watchmen film, or talk live to researchers in Antarctica. Begins at noon each day; register at the 1st floor of Convention Hall B.
AAAS Exhibition Hall (Fri-Sun, Feb. 19-21): While you're there, check out hands-on booths hosted by the Association for Women in Science, NASA, Ask a Biologist, and other science organizations.
NPR Science Friday Special (Fri, Feb. 19; check local listings for times): Ira Flatow, host of Science Friday on National Public Radio, will have a special broadcast from AAAS San Diego. Usually on-air at 2 p.m. Eastern, 11 a.m. Pacific, but check your local radio station.
On Twitter: Catch all the backchatter online by following the #AAAS10 hashtag on Twitter! (Businesswoman Mary Canady has also put together a partial list of scientists and writers who are attending and tweeting.) And lastly,
Read Your Newspaper: Science journalism has been devastated by the economic downturn, even as it adapts to social media and online tools (I saw it personally as a newspaper intern). Yet, local reporters are sometimes the best resource to translate gee-whiz science into plain English, or to explain how it relates to your town or everyday life. So pick up your favorite paper or search for AAAS news on their website. And if they don't have regular science coverage, demand it! (The San Diego Union-Tribune has an item on Family Science Days and a hilarious bit on the IgNobel Awards, given to quirky breakthroughs such as the gas-mask bra.)
Maybe I'll see you this weekend at the San Diego Convention Center or on the Twittersphere. Until then, you stay classy, science lovers!
home of the 2010 Science / AAAS blogging contest.
The contest is now closed, but you can see details and participate next year!
For coverage of the meeting by Science staff, see our AAAS 2010 news page.
