ScienceDebate2008

Aspen Science Center is proud to be a sponsor of Sciencedebate2008, a national initiative encouraging the presidential candidates to address their scientific policies in a public debate. More information at Sciencedebate2008.com

Science Fairs

The Aspen Science Center sponsored both the Elementary School Science Fair and the Middle School Science Fair, for a total of 534 budding scientists. We provided curriculum integration so the teachers could give the kids a strong background in scientific method. The result was a much higher level of experiment choice, data collection, and hypothesis/conclusion quality. A growing number of students continued on to Regional and State competitions.

High-altitude Observatory/Planetarium

We have made substantial progress since this idea was floated last summer.

Bill Joy has donated a University-grade Celestron telescope and the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies has agreed to an observatory site up at Toklat/Ashcroft, far from interferring light sources but accessible by paved road. We have a working group interested in developing and funding this part of the project. We consulted with Derrick Pitts (Franklin Observatory) and have a clear idea of what is entailed in making this a reality.

We worked with the Aspen School System and private donors to raise the funds for a modern upgrade of the planetarium projector at Aspen High School and this has been installed.

The FOSS Science Kit Program

This ASC initiative has revolutionized teaching in the Aspen School District! In just one year, scores on the CSAP test have shown a significant jump. (Obviously, several year's data will be necessary to confirm whether this is a trend or an anomaly.) Most importantly, teachers who were initially reluctant ("I don't do science") to work with these kits have become empowered and enthusiastic ("I didn't realize how good I could be teaching science with the proper tools") Currently, kits are fully incorporated into the Science Curriculum, and our goal is to extend this enrichment program to other districts in the Roaring Fork Valley.

Science Teacher "Cafes"

These are billed as "Get the Scoop on Science and Math education, funding, grants, initiatives, and projects-and meet new friends!"

Our 2006 get-together for Roaring Fork science and math teachers was well attended, and the teachers eagerly requested collaboration on a number of fronts. A typical collaboration: Colorado Rocky Mountain School is sharing the PCR Thermal Cycler with the Aspen High School IB Biology in a joint DNA population study. The ASC purchased the Thermal Cycler and sponsored the DNA training for all valley teachers to make this possible.

At our upcoming Science Teacher Cafe, we will be getting hands-on reports from teachers on how they optimized our resources, as well as "wish lists" for more resources and ideas as to how to "share the wealth" among districts.

Physics Cafes at the Wheeler

In 2007 our Physics Cafes were well-attended and well-covered in the media. The crowds enjoying coffee, tea, cookies, and interaction with young scientists were interested and engaged, with a growing number of high-school students attending. Marc Whitley, the IB Physics teacher, reported that his students were excited about the cafes, receiving real value--both in subject matter knowledge and in being able to speak with young physicisists about their career paths through academia. The connection and enthusiasm translated into more focus and commitment in his classroom.

This year's Physics Cafes will begin at 4:15 PM, an hour prior to the Maggie and Nick deWolfe Winter Physics Lectures, which are sponsored by our partner, the Aspen Center for Physics. The young scientists who lead the Cafe discussions are participants in the Winter Conferences of the Aspen Center for Physics who volunteer to help make their science more accessible.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008 - Single Cell Biophysics

Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - Elementary Particle Physics

Wednesday, January 30, 2008 - Cosmology

Wednesday, February 6, 2008 - Condensed Matter Physics

Wednesday, February 13, 2008 - Astronomy

The College Fair

In 2005 we were instrumental in developing the Western Slope College Fair with Kathy Klug. In 2006 the Fair was attended by 192 college admissions officers and 2000 Western Slope kids. In 2007 the Fair became the biggest in Colorado (much to the chagrin of the Denver/North Slope parents). The 2007 fair was held on October 7, from 11AM to 2PM. For more information, visit Western Slope College Fair.

College Interview Workshops

Started as a preparation for meeting the admissions officers at the College Fair, these workshops have become 100% mandatory for all students! Students have reported that they feel the workshop was instrumental in their interview success.

The Science and Media Summit

The Challenge was, "How can Science and the Media get it right?"

July 1-2, 2007 --Closed-door Session aimed at producing a blueprint of best practices for Science and the Media which leaders in both sectors would be encouraged to employ immediately.

July 3, 2007 ---Audience-attended Roundtable at the Aspen Institute Ideas Festival, moderated by Walter Isaacson (CEO, Aspen Institute). This feature 5 panelists from the closed-door session and was attended by a large Ideas Festival audience.

Our Summit was a spectacular success and exceeded every expectation-the group achieved the goal during the first day, and then committed to form working groups elevating science to the national discussion among political leaders, corporate leaders, and foundations. Within two days after the conclusion of the Summit, we had a listserve, a mission statement, goals, strategies, and a set of science talking points which were delivered to Hillary Clinton.

The subsequent Roundtable, which kicked off the Ideas Festival, was one of the most highly-regarded plenary sessions of the Festival. Our first international press attention arrived in the form of a blog on Time's website-more is on its way!

http://timeblog.com/eye_on_science/2007/07/saving_american_science.html

(HS)2

The brain child of Andover alumnae Gar and Mollie Lasater, this program is a collaboration between ASC, Andover, Colorado Rocky Mountain School and selected gifted and talented minority kids from all over the country. After a spectacular launch, it has settled into a robust, challenging and rewarding experience for all involved. The kids are learning at an accelerated pace, and are experiencing enrichment courses that we doubt exist anywhere else in combination (e. g., whitewaterrafting/glassblowing/ironworking).

They have bonded, feel a deep shared commitment to the program, and an appreciation for the opportunity it represents. During one game where we were to describe "the worst thing and the best thing that happened to you this year" over half of the kids said that our program was the best thing that's happened to them. See "Whiz Kids" in News.

Physics BBQs

Another productive collaboration with the Aspen Center for Physics our BBQs are the perfect combination of fun, food, eminent scientists, and engaged kids--we fed, enlightened and illuminated over 2100 community members this summer, breaking last summer's record. These events take place on Wednesday afternoons during the summer on the beautiful campus of the Aspen Center for Physics; scientists participating in the Center's programs engage kids in lively discussions of science. We consider attracting over 200 kids and parents to learn about galaxy formation, given all of the competition from sports, music, Ideas Festival, jazz, etc., to be a major accomplishment!

Science Cinema

Science Documentaries followed by a Q&A with a respected scientist? What a great idea! Why didn't I think of that? Well, thankfully Andrei did, and we kicked off our small festival with a series of films in August.

Summer Science Camps

In 2007 our advanced DNA/Genomics and Physics summer camps featured the same cutting-edge science taught by renowned experts in their fields--and featured some very imaginative extra features (such as a real-life CSI "Crime Scene" with an officer from the Aspen Police Department, which was so convincing it panicked the Director, who thought something had gone horribly amiss!) and a mini-science fair featuring Middle Schoolers explaining how they cloned Zebra fish and created genetically-engineered, rapidly growing, glow-in-the-dark bacterial organisms.

To extend the reach of this program, ASC has decided to introduce Advanced Science Enrichment Teacher Training Seminars in the summer of 2008.