SAN DIEGO, March 26 -- With an understanding of science and technology growing ever more important for full participation in a democratic society, the world's largest scientific society today is holding a special symposium on how scientists can better communicate their work to the public.
The American Chemical Society (ACS), which has more than 164,000 members, will host the event, "Communicating Chemistry to the Public," as part of its 243 rd National Meeting & Exposition, being held here. It begins at 1 p.m. in Room 4 on the Upper Level of the San Diego Convention Center.
ACS President Bassam Z. Shakhashiri, Ph.D., originated the symposium, which will feature a panel of noted science journalists, book authors and communicators, and will deliver the opening and closing remarks. Cheryl Frech, Ph.D., chair of the ACS Committee on Public Relations and Communications and professor at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, will moderate the event.
Communicating science is a major part of Shakhashiri's presidential theme for the year. The William T. Evjue Distinguished Chair for the Wisconsin Idea at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Shakhashiri is noted internationally for pioneering the use of demonstrations in the teaching of chemistry in classrooms, as well as to the public in museums, convention centers, shopping malls and retirement homes — and at his Science is Fun website. The Encyclopedia Britannica termed Shakhashiri the "dean of lecture demonstrators in America." He received the prestigious National Science Board's Public Service Award in 2007 for pioneering new ways to encourage public understanding of science.
"Communicating science and its values and role in society to the public is one of the American Chemical Society's core functions," Shakhashiri noted. "We must engage the general public and show that chemistry and related sciences are a major part of the engines that drive our economy and contribute to prosperity, fairness and justice. I am delighted that this panel of outstanding communicators can appear at the ACS National Meeting to share their experiences and insights."
Shakhashiri convened a similar symposium at the ACS' 242 nd National Meeting & Exposition in Denver last year. Speakers at today's event include:
The American Chemical Society is a non-profit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. With more than 164,000 members, ACS is the world's largest scientific society and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.
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