From: "JACK L. URETSKY (C) 1996; HEP DIV., ARGONNE NATIONAL LAB, ARGONNE, IL 60439" <JLU@hep.anl.gov>
Date: Sun, 20 Oct 1996 17:51:22 -0500 (CDT)
From: SMTP%"whatsnew@aps.org" 18-OCT-1996 15:29:58.77
To: JLU
CC:
Subj: What's New for Oct 18, 1996
Date: Fri, 18 Oct 1996 20:25:42 GMT
From: whatsnew@aps.org (What's New)
Message-Id: <199610182025.UAA25186@aps.org>
To: jlu@hep.anl.gov
Subject: What's New for Oct 18, 1996
WHAT'S NEW by Robert L. Park Friday, 18 Oct 96 Washington, DC
1. U.S. NOBELISTS SPEAK OUT ON DECLINING SUPPORT FOR SCIENCE. Of
the ten nobelists announced last week, six are from the U.S. Of
the six, five were supported in their prize winning work by the
NSF. Yesterday, at a press conference in Washington, the five
returned the favor. Lee, Osheroff and Richardson, who shared the
physics prize, joined chemistry winners Smalley and Curl in a
passionate appeal for stable, long-term support of basic science.
The five argued that science, particularly basic science, is in a
state of decay in the US. Industry, it was pointed out, no longer
supports basic science, and federal support as a percentage of
the GDP is declining. Bob Richardson referred to science as the
"invisible" issue in the fall political campaign and lamented
the "abysmal" state of science education in the United States.
2. REPORT ON SCIENCE AND MATH EDUCATION: "NO ONE'S AT THE HELM."
In fact, there is no helm. On Tuesday, the results of the Third
International Math and Science Study were released. Supported by
the ubiquitous NSF, the study found US standards unfocused and
aimed at the lowest common denominator. "A Splintered Vision: An
Investigation of U.S. Science and Math Education" concludes that
the poor performance of American students is to be expected, in
light of our fragmented curriculum. Moreover, U.S. textbooks,
which cover far more topics than is typical in other countries,
emphasize the less demanding. They are, according to the report,
"a mile wide and an inch deep." (Converting that to metric: 1.61
kilometers wide and 2.54 centimeters deep.) Unfortunately, the
same criticism applies to this wordy, unfocused report.
3. APS & AIP ANNOUNCE 1997-98 CONGRESSIONAL SCIENCE FELLOWSHIPS.
Fellowships are for one year, usually running September through
August. Fellows work on the staff of a congressional committee
or on the personal staff of a member of Congress. Qualifications
include a PhD in physics or closely related field, demonstrated
interest in science policy and, preferably, some experience in
applying science to societal problems. The stipend is $45,000
plus travel, relocation and health insurance allowances. For
details check http://www.aps.org/public_affairs/fellow.html
4. ERASING THE DWEEB IMAGE: 1997 STUDMUFFINS OF SCIENCE CALENDAR.
The tasteful motif this year, for those who might not recognize
it, is a model of a testosterone molecule. This year's calendar
features a significantly greater skin-to-Lycra ratio, and for the
first time, a Nobel laureate, Rich Roberts, as Dr. December. He
shared the 1993 prize in medicine for the discovery of split
jeans. Just call the toll-free number (888) PHD-DATE. But there
is competition! The Annals of Improbable Research is calling for
entries for the Annual Swimsuit Issue. Age, sex, physical
condition or area of science are not barriers to entry. Send
your entries to Swim Suit, Box 380853, Cambridge, MA 02238.
THE AMERICAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY (Note: Opinions are the author's
and are not necessarily shared by the APS, but they should be.