NOAA's science and research programs will be discussed by the Science Advisory Board when the 14-member panel meets March 20-22 in Washington, D.C.

Composed of scientists, educators, resource managers, and engineers, the board is charged with advising the NOAA administrator on long-and short-range strategies for research, education, and the application of science to resource management and environmental prediction.

"This is an opportunity for the Science Advisory Board to get a big picture view of all of NOAA's science and research programs," said Dr. Michael Uhart, Science Advisory Board executive director.

Open to the public, the meetings will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 20 and from 8:30-11:30 a.m., March 22 in Room B841A of the Department of Commerce Herbert C. Hoover Building at 14th St. and Constitution Ave. in Washington, D.C. The board will meet from 1-5 p.m., March 21, at the NOAA Science Center, 1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Md.

The board will also hear presentations about climate research, the National Undersea Research Program strategic plan, NOAA's Long-Term Climate Monitoring Council, the National Sea Grant College Program, NOAA's weather and air quality research programs, the new Ocean Exploration Program, and the Nancy Foster scholarship.

The public can present brief written or oral statements Tuesday (March 20) afternoon and Thursday (March 22) morning.

The Science Advisory Board meets at least twice a year. The next meeting is scheduled for June in Monterey, Calif.

For more information, visit: http://www.sab.noaa.gov