Improving science education is critical to Los Alamos National Laboratory's ability to work on cutting-edge science today and in the future. To that end, the Laboratory and the National Science Resources Center are cosponsoring a national science education conference this spring in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The "National Symposium for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Program to Develop Informed Leadership for Changing the Course of K-16 Science Education" is scheduled for April 10-13 at the Courtyard by Marriot Hotel in Santa Fe.
This conference is part of the national discussion about math and science education reform, which was initiated in the October 2005 National Academies report Rising Above the Gathering Storm.
The major goals of the symposium include understanding the current state of science education in the United States, examining research and examples of effective science teaching and learning approaches, highlighting innovative best practice programs in New Mexico and nationally, and exploring the critical role that scientists and engineers can play in facilitating the enhancement of science education in the nation.
"Over the last year, we have enjoyed working closely with the NSRC and other partners in planning and organizing this important national conference," said Dave Foster of the Laboratory's Education and Postdoc Programs Office.
"The conference will provide a national forum to highlight best practices in science and math education sponsored by the Laboratory, other Department of Energy laboratories, academic institutions, foundations, and the private business sector," said Foster. "Defining effective ways to engage more practicing scientists and engineers in addressing this national education challenge is a primary objective of the meeting."
The keynote speaker is Geoffrey West, president of Santa Fe Institute and a scientist in the Laboratory's Theoretical Division. Other conference speakers include Terry Wallace, the Laboratory's acting principal associate director for Science, Technology, and Engineering; Sally Shuler, executive director of the NSRC; David Evans, undersecretary for science at the Smithsonian Institution; and Tom Bowles, the Laboratory's former chief science officer, who now serves as science adviser to Governor Bill Richardson.
Scientists and engineers from the public and private sectors, directors of research, directors of human resources, science educators, and deans and department chairs in science, engineering, and education are all invited to the symposium. A $500 registration fee is required for this DOE-sanctioned conference.
The National Science Resources Center is a nonprofit organization and is a subsidiary of the National Academies and the Smithsonian Institution.
For more information, see the NSRC Web site at http://www.nsrconline.org/about_the_nsrc/Events.html - Apr, or contact Foster at 667-8680 or dfost@lanl.gov by electronic mail.
Los Alamos National Laboratory, a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security, is operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC, a team composed of Bechtel National, the University of California, The Babcock & Wilcox Company, and Washington Group International for the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.
Los Alamos enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns.