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This weekend (February 12 -16, 2009), I will be in Chicago attending the annual meeting of The American Association of the Advancement of Science (AAAS). AAAS publishes the magazine Science and is the world’s largest general science conference. Thousands of scientists, including students, educators (K-12 and college), policy-makers, and researchers, will be in attendance in a city that is one of America’s Scientific Hubs.

AAAS Conference, Feb. 12th -16th

The theme for this year’s meeting, Our Planet and Its Life: Origins and Futures, recognizes that 2009 is the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his book, On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection. The theme also addresses many of the upcoming challenges our planet faces – climate change and environmental impact. There will be a broad range of activities for registered attendees and the general public.

I am especially looking forward to the Communicating Science to Broader Audiences Workshop, on Thursday, February 12^th. It is an all-day clinic for scientists and engineers who are interested in public outreach. I hope to pick up some tips to help me make this blog and my other outreach efforts more effective.

credit: benkamorvan

Al Gore

Former Vice President and Nobel Prize Winner Al Gore is the special invited guest speaker for Friday, February 13^th. I’m taking my copy of An Inconvenient Truth with me in hopes that I can get him to sign it. Also that evening is the “This is Science” Dance Program. I actually submitted a video (embedded below) for this competition, but did not make the cut. The four winners will have their science research performed by professional dancers. I am really looking forward to the dance interpretations.

There are also a host of symposia and talks about the environment, education, evolution, and science careers that I am looking forward to. However, I am disappointed that NPR Science Friday, with Ira Flatow, will not be in attendance. I had my mind set on meeting him.

All day Saturday (February 14) and Sunday (February 15) are Family Science Days. This program is free to the general public. My mother and niece are actually coming down to spend the day with me. I’m very lucky to have a completely nerdy family that loves this stuff as much as I do. There will be exhibits and demonstrations from the local Universities and Science Centers. I’m looking forward to meeting some fellow Outreach Scientists and possibly networking. If you live in the Chicago area, I invite you and your family to come down for the day. It is a fun time and a chance to nurture those young minds. Plus, I would love to meet you.