2017 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ANNUAL REPORT Table of Contents 2017 Year in Review 2 Letter from H

MAKING WAVES

2017 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ANNUAL REPORT Table of Contents 2017 Year in Review 2 Letter from H. Robert Horvitz, Chair 4 Letter from Maya Ajmera, President & CEO 6 Overview and Top Ten 8

2017 Society Competitions 10 Regeneron Science Talent Search 12 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair 16 Broadcom MASTERS 18 Alumni 20

Science News Media Group 24 Science News 26 Science News for Students 30

Outreach & Equity 32 Science News in High Schools 34 Science News | NOVEMBER 25, 2017 GOING APE Advocate Grant Program 36 Orangutans living in the forested foothills Research Teachers Conference 38 of Sumatra became their own species in 2017: Pongo tapanuliensis, or the Tapanuli STEM Action & Research Grants 40 orangutan. Skeletal and genetic evidence puts these apes on an evolutionary trajectory Society for Science & the Public 42 separate from other orangutans in Sumatra Financials 44 and Borneo. Numbering no more than 800, the Tapanuli orangutan lives on the brink of Giving 46 extinction due in part to habitat degradation Board of Trustees 52 and hunting. TIM LAMAN Executive Team and Staff 52

2017 ANNUAL REPORT | SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE & THE PUBLIC | 1 Science News | JULY 8, 2017 CANCER COMBAT An antibody sold as Keytruda can rev the body’s immune system to combat cancer. By locking onto T cell receptors, the antibody blocks a tumor (top) from shutting down the T cell (bottom). The T cell is thus free to attack. In a study reported in 2017, the therapy was effective against 12 different types of solid tumors and controlled cancer in 77 percent of patients studied.

COURTESY OF MERCK & CO.

2 | 2017 ANNUAL REPORT | YEAR IN REVIEW 2017 YEAR IN REVIEW

2017 ANNUAL REPORT | SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE & THE PUBLIC | 3 am delighted to introduce the Society for Science & the world-famous author, he has been a valuable voice on the Public’s 2017 Annual Report, Making Waves, which Board of Trustees for almost a decade. Icelebrates another outstanding year of our impact in The Society welcomed three new members to our championing science. Board of Trustees in 2017: Christy Burton, Martin The award-winning Science News Media Group lived Chalfie and Feng Zhang. These three education and up to its legacy in 2017 by winning the Imagination scientific leaders add expertise to the Board and will Award from the Association of Magazine Media in the increase our ability to enable the Society to make waves content category for our Gravitational Waves special into the future. report and the Eddie Award from Folio: in the full issue Christy Burton is the Co-Founder & Chair of category for our Dino Doomsday special report. The Burton Family Foundation. Martin Chalfie is In 2017, the Science Talent Search (STS) was spon- a University Professor of Developmental Biology, sored by Regeneron for the first time. We continue to Neurobiology, and Genetics & Genomics at Columbia honor the country’s best and brightest young scientists University and received the Nobel Prize in chemistry in through the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science 2008. Feng Zhang, an alumnus of the 2000 STS and the and mathemtatics competition for high school seniors. 1998 and 1999 International Science and Engineering Through the extraordinary commitment of STS alumni Fairs, is the Poitras Professor of Neuroscience at MIT Leonard S. Schleifer (1970 STS), Regeneron Founder, and a core member of the Broad Institute. President & CEO, and George D. Yancopoulos (1976 STS), Most importantly, we could not do our work without Regeneron President & Chief Scientific Officer, and the the generous support of you, the Society’s subscribing entire Regeneron team, we celebrated these young scien- members, donors, alumni and readers. I thank you for tists with more than $3 million in awards, including a top helping us to make waves as we champion science. award of $250,000. The vision of the Society’s President & CEO and Publisher of Science News, Maya Ajmera, resulted in significant increased visibility of the Society’s brand in Sincerely yours, 2017, with news stories about the Society’s programs achieving national coverage such as The New York Times, The Weather Channel and CBS This Morning and international coverage by the BBC and The Times of India. H. Robert Horvitz, Ph.D. We are truly making waves. Chair, Board of Trustees I personally thank the Board of Trustees, whose com- Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology, 2002 mitment and guidance ensure the continued success of Professor of Biology, Massachusetts Institute the Society. In particular, I want to thank Frank Wilczek, of Technology who retired as a Trustee in 2017. As a Society alumnus Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (1967 STS), Nobel Prize winner (Physics 2005) and Investigator, McGovern Institute

4 | 2017 ANNUAL REPORT | LETTER FROM H. ROBERT HORVITZ Science News | JULY 8, 2017 BIT VARIETY Companies including IBM and Google are focused on building quantum computers from superconducting qubits. But there are other strategies. In this device from the University of Maryland, five ions sit in the gap at the center of the gold-colored blades, each about 2 centimeters long. Here, the ions are the qubits—and a computer built from 32 ions is currently in the works.

EMILY EDWARDS/JOINT QUANTUM INSTITUTE/UNIV. OF MARYLAND

2017 ANNUAL REPORT | SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE & THE PUBLIC | 5 am pleased to present our 2017 Annual Report— strategy, helped bring our news organization to Making Waves. This year has certainly been about profitability—for the first time in a decade. The Society’s Imaking waves for the Society, from bringing on a new renewed focus on communications, marketing and sponsor for our historic Science Talent Search (STS) to fundraising also contributed to Science News’ positive bringing Science News to profitability. bottom line. Thanks to the visionary leadership of STS alumni The pages of this Annual Report highlight some of the Leonard Schleifer (1970 STS), Founder, President & CEO, impressive and exciting stories from our best-in-class and George D. Yancopoulos (1976 STS), President reporters, including the news event that inspired our & Chief Scientific Officer, Regeneron is supporting young Making Waves theme: scientists’ detection of gravi- scientists who are generating ideas and solutions to tational waves coming from a collision between two address the world’s most intractable problems. As part of neutron stars. We were also thrilled to see Kip Thorne, a its sponsorship of the Science Talent Search, Regeneron 1958 alumnus of the Science Talent Search, win the Nobel committed $100 million over 10 years, doubling the Prize in physics for his work around gravitational waves. annual STS awards to more than $3 million to better This brings the number of Science Talent Search alumni reward the Science Talent Search finalists, scholars and who have won Nobel Prizes to 13. their schools. It was an honor to award our largest prize The Society’s high-caliber reporting and education ever of $250,000—a life-changing award—to Indrani Das programming can only take place thanks to the Society’s for her research into neurological damage. exceptional team. I am also grateful for the expansive The company’s powerful investment of $30 million network of thousands of judges and volunteers who into the Society’s outreach and equity programs has ensure the success of our world-class science competi- opened the door for the Society to better help educators tions. Additionally, I appreciate the steadfast stewardship across the country engage young people in scientific of the Society by our Board of Trustees and am pleased to research, with a specific emphasis on underserved welcome Christy Burton, Martin Chalfie and Feng Zhang. communities. None of this would be possible without your generous Regeneron’s support for Science News in High Schools, commitment to our work. Thank you for all that you do to along with support from other corporations, founda- ensure the Society’s success and impact. tions and philanthropists, ensures we can bring our award-winning journalism to student scientists across With best wishes, the country. In 2017, we brought Science News in High Schools to more than 4,300 schools in all 50 states; Washington, D.C.; Puerto Rico; American Samoa and the UK, reaching more than 4.1 million students and Maya Ajmera 13,000 teachers. President & CEO Science News in High Schools, along with a restruc- Publisher, Science News tured Science News newsroom using a digital-first 1985 Science Talent Search

6 | 2017 ANNUAL REPORT | LETTER FROM MAYA AJMERA Science News | SEPTEMBER 2, 2017 LAST HURRAH After a marathon performance, the Cassini spacecraft (illustrated) used its final burst of fuel to plunge into Saturn in 2017. Cassini spent 20 years in space, circled Saturn more than 200 times and took hundreds of thousands of images of the giant planet and its many moons. Data from the final dive should help solve some basic mysteries, including when the planet got its iconic rings.

JPL-CALTECH/NASA

2017 ANNUAL REPORT | SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE & THE PUBLIC | 7 Science News | DECEMBER 23, 2017 OUT WITH A BANG The collision of two neutron stars was Science News’ top story of 2017. Almost overnight, the discovery vanquished some theories and vindicated others. It has implications, for example, for the origins of the universe’s heaviest elements, the mysterious dark energy that makes up most of the cosmos and the source of long-mysterious, brilliant flashes of high-energy light. MAKING WAVES CI LAB/NASA GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER

The Society for Science & the Public is Science News (SN), an in-depth and In 1942, the Society launched the first and is a gateway to higher education and a champion for science, dedicated to trustworthy source of science journal- of its science competitions, the Science STEM careers for millions of students expanding scientific literacy, effective ism. The Science News Media Group Talent Search, the nation’s oldest and each year. The 60,000 alumni of our com- STEM education and scientific research. offers readers concise and compre- most prestigious science and math competitions form a community of thought Founded in 1921 by Edward W. Scripps, hensive editorial content, informative petition. In 2017, Regeneron took over as leaders and innovators of all ages and a renowned journalist, and William imagery, educational products and the competition’s third sponsor, following from all industries. Emerson Ritter, a zoologist, the Society is access to archives going back to 1924. Westinghouse and Intel. The Society The Society is thrilled to present its a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organi- This includes Science News for Students, also founded and produces the Intel 2017 Annual Report. We are looking back zation focused on promoting the under- an award-winning, free digital resource International Science and Engineering on a year of exciting announcements that standing and appreciation of science and serving students, parents and teachers. Fair and the Broadcom MASTERS most certainly had us making waves. the vital role it plays in human advance- SN has nearly 120,000 subscribers, more (Math, Applied Science, Technology ment: to inform, educate and inspire. than 10 million unique website visitors and Engineering for Rising Stars). The For nearly 100 years, the Society annually, 2.7 million Facebook fans and Society’s Affiliated Fair Network encom- has published the award-winning 2.7 million Twitter followers. passes 425 U.S. and international fairs

8 | 2017 ANNUAL REPORT | OVERVIEW AND TOP TEN 2017 SOCIETY TOP TEN

2017 marked the first year in Regeneron’s The Society named 45 Advocates who Nearly 1,800 young scientists selected from 425 af- The Society was proud to award $120,000 Science News’ coverage of the 10-year, $100 million sponsorship of the worked to expand STEM opportunities for filiated fairs in 78 countries, regions and territories in grants to science research teachers to 2017 eclipse included a series Science Talent Search (STS). Indrani Das, underserved students. The program seeks competed at the 2017 Intel International Science purchase much-needed equipment and examining what we can learn of Oradell, N.J., won the top award for her to open the door to scientific research for and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Los Angeles, Calif. $55,000 to 13 innovative organizations from a total solar eclipse, study of a possible approach to treating underserved students, many of whom are The Society was proud to welcome Zimbabwe and supporting community-based STEM proj- featuring an interactive high- the death of neurons due to brain injury or unaware of or unable to take advantage of Ghana to ISEF for the first time. Ivo Zell, of Hessen, ects through its STEM Action & Research lighting the paths of future neurodegenerative disease. science fair competitions. Germany, won the first-place award of $75,000. Grants program. solar eclipses.

In October, 200 STEM re- Science News for Students continued its One of our own, alumnus Ben Hylak, The Society added three new members to the Board The Society named Nancy Shute Editor in search teachers from across series on the need for greater diversity in spoke to the 30 finalists who competed of Trustees: Feng Zhang, noted scientist and alum- Chief of Science News. She will lead the Science the country came together STEM. This year’s focus was on the need in October in the Broadcom MASTERS. nus of the 1998 and 1999 ISEF as well as the 2000 News newsroom and digital transformation. to share best practices at for more people of color in STEM and the Faris Irwin Wald of Santa Fe, N.M., won STS, Nobel Prize-winning scientist Martin Chalfie Previously, Shute was cohost of NPR’s health the 2017 Research Teachers role of people with disabilities in STEM. the top award, the $25,000 Samueli and distinguished philanthropist and investor blog, Shots, and contributed news coverage Conference, sponsored by The series was made possible thanks to Foundation Prize, for his achievements in Christy Burton. Their experience will be invaluable and features to NPR’s All Things Consid- Regeneron. Arconic Foundation. STEM, critical thinking and collaboration. to the Society. ered and Morning Edition.

2017 ANNUAL REPORT | SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE & THE PUBLIC | 9 Science News | AUGUST 19, 2017 IN MOTION New evidence for a particle that is its own antiparticle, called a Majorana fermion, turned up in a quantum layer cake this year. To observe the signature of the particle, proposed in 1937, researchers coupled a topological insulator (gray bar in this illustration), which conducts electricity only on its edges, with a superconductor layer. Blue, orange and purple lines show the paths of Majorana fermions; green lines are traveling electrons.

BEIJING SONDII TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD.

10 | 2017 ANNUAL REPORT | SOCIETY COMPETITIONS SOCIETY COMPETITIONS

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and Second-placewinnerAaronYeiser. Ramani, First-placewinnerIndrani Das Left toright:Third-placewinnerArjun TOMORROW’S LEADERS

| REGENERON SCIENCE TALENT SEARCH 2 017 REPORT ANNUAL |

SCIENCE TALENTSCIENCE SEARCH Competitions

REGENERON’S FIRST SCIENCE TALENT SEARCH

The Regeneron Science Talent Search at the Public Exhibition of Projects at the (STS), a program of the Society for National Geographic Society, in addition Science & the Public, is the nation’s to visiting the National Institutes of oldest and most prestigious science and Health and the Janelia Research Campus mathematics competition for high school of Howard Hughes Medical Institute. The seniors. In 2017, Regeneron became only finalists also met with their members of the third sponsor of the Science Talent Congress on Capitol Hill after attending Search, following previous sponsors a special breakfast hosted by Regeneron Westinghouse and Intel, with a 10-year, Founder, President & CEO Leonard Left to right: Frank Sandy, 1954 Science Talent Search alumnus with his $100 million commitment that signifi- Schleifer (1970 STS). grandson Aaron Yeiser, 2017 STS second place winner. cantly increased the awards offered to Indrani Das, of Oradell, New Jersey, students and schools. From nearly 1,800 won the $250,000 top prize for her study applicants, 300 students were named of a possible approach to treating the scholars, with each scholar and their death of neurons due to brain injury. school receiving $2,000 apiece. Forty Second place and $175,000 went to Aaron finalists were selected to each receive Yeiser, of Schwenksville, Pennsylvania, $25,000 and a trip to Washington, D.C., to who developed a mathematical method compete for $1.8 million in awards. for solving partial differential equations During the Science Talent Institute in on complicated geometries. The third- March, George Yancopoulos (1976 STS), place $150,000 winner was Arjun Ramani, President & Chief Scientific Officer at of West Lafeyette, Indiana, for blending Regeneron, served as the alumni speaker, the mathematical field of graph theory Left to right: Nathaniel Lee, Emily Peterson and Archana Verma are visited by Rep. Thomas Suozzi (NY) at the 2017 Regeneron Science Talent challenging the finalists to do good in the with computer programming to answer Search Awards Gala. world. The finalists shared their research questions about networks at faster rates.

2017 ANNUAL REPORT | SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE & THE PUBLIC | 13 REGENERON SCIENCE TALENT SEARCH TALENT SCIENCE REGENERON

14 | 2017 ANNUAL REPORT | SCIENCE TALENT SEARCH REGENERON’S INAUGURAL PROGRAM Opposite page, clockwise from top: Archana Verma, 2017 Science Talent Search finalist, displays her project at the Public Exhibition of Projects; 2017 STS finalists Indrani Das and Nathaniel Lee on the U.S. Capitol steps, looking to the future; 2017 STS finalist Steven Elliott shares his project, “A Quadcopter Nonlinear Motor Controller Using Force Sensor Feedback” with interested visitors. This page, clockwise from top: 2017 Regeneron STS first place award is accepted by Indrani Das; Jazz Tobaccowalla from Regeneron, speaks on a panel; Angela Duckworth, author of Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, gives the keynote address at the 2017 Awards Gala; Arjun Ramani, 2017 STS second place winner, with 1999 STS alum Erika Ebbel Angle (right) and Suzanne Hammer (left); 2017 STS finalists visit HHMI’s Janelia Research Campus.

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| INTEL INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR 2 017 REPORT ANNUAL |

INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR ENGINEERING AND INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE ing thelocationofspacedebris. Award, sharesherresearchonpredict- the IntelFoundation Young Scientist Amber Yang, one of thewinners TRACKING SPACE DEBRIS Competitions

YOUNG INNOVATORS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

The Intel International Science and “flying wing” aircraft. Amber Yang, of Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), a program Windermere, Florida, received one of of the Society for Science & the Public, is two Intel Foundation Young Scientist the world’s largest international pre-col- Awards of $50,000 for her innovative lege science competition. The 2017 Intel approach to predicting the ISEF, held in Los Angeles, California, locations of clouds of proved to be a showcase of the best sci- space debris that move entific minds by featuring nearly 1,800 in low Earth orbit. young scientists selected from 425 affil- Valerio Pagliarino, of iated fairs in 78 countries, regions and Castelnuovo Calcea, territories. The Society hosted the first Italy, received the other annual Innovation and Entrepreneurship Intel Foundation Young Panel, enabling the 2017 finalists to Scientist Award of $50,000 for his learn from notable alumni about their prototype of a novel, laser-based, wire- experiences and the impact of the Fair less, high-speed network. on their lives. The discussions sparked a The Society’s Education Outreach new passion for entrepreneurship in the Day brought over 3,400 students from finalists and allowed them to see how far 53 schools throughout the Greater science could take them. Los Angeles area to participate in the COUNTRIES WITH ISEF AFFILIATED Ivo Zell, of Hessen, Germany, was LA STEM Experience, an event that FAIRS AND FINALISTS awarded first place, receiving the welcomed over 30 hands-on science Tens of millions of students compete in science fairs around the world every year, with hundreds Gordon E. Moore Award of $75,000 exhibitors for students to interact with in of thousands rising to compete in the Society’s for designing and constructing a addition to meeting finalists. affiliated fairs. remote controlled prototype of a new

2017 ANNUAL REPORT | SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE & THE PUBLIC | 17 BROADCOM MASTERSBROADCOM

18 | 2017 ANNUAL REPORT | BROADCOM MASTERS Competitions

MIDDLE SCHOOL STEM LEADERS DREAM BIG

Broadcom MASTERS, the premier sci- public at Union Station and visited Capitol ence and engineering competition for Hill to meet with their members of middle school students, is open to the top Congress. 10 percent of middle school participants Faris Wald was named the winner of in Society-affiliated science fairs around the Samueli Foundation Prize, receiving the country. In 2017, 2,499 students $25,000 for his exceptional performance from 49 states, four territories and one throughout the week and his research Department of Defense school abroad on the relationship between coronal competed. The Top 300 MASTERS holes and cyclones. Emily Tianshi were honored, representing middle received the $20,000 Robert Wood schools from 37 states, Puerto Rico and Johnson Foundation Award for Health the Department of Defense overseas. Advancement, Meghna Behari was named In late October, the 30 finalists came the winner of the $10,000 Marconi/ to Washington, D.C., to present their Samueli Award for Innovation and Helen research and compete in hands-on team Lyons received the $7,500 Lemelson challenges to demonstrate their skills in Award for Invention. critical thinking, collaboration, commu- nication and creativity. The finalists competed at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, at the Georgetown University MIDDLE SCHOOL STARS School of Medicine and with partners Opposite page: 2017 Broadcom MASTERS finalists on the U.S. Capitol steps. from the Computer History Museum. Above: Nora Navid shares her project, “Polling Pollinators: Do Pollinators They presented their research to the Prefer Native Plants, Cultivars, or Nativars? A Two-Year Study” with a visitor.

2017 ANNUAL REPORT | SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE & THE PUBLIC | 19 ALUMNI INNOVATE The 2017 Intel ISEF held its first ever Innovation and Entrepreneurship Panel, Alumni panelists in industries ranging from nuclear physics to venture capital impressed upon the finalists the signficant potential young people have to change the world. ALUMNI

20 | 2017 ANNUAL REPORT | ALUMNI Competitions

THE ALUMNI EXPERIENCE THROUGH COMPELLING PROGRAMMING

2017 was a banner year for alumni engagement. From hosting events to New York Signature Alumni Event volunteering, alumni connected with In 2017, the Society hosted its third Signature Alumni one another and shared their time, not event at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York. The evening began with welcome remarks from Society President only lifting each other up but also ready- & CEO Maya Ajmera (1985 STS). Over 120 alumni and ing the way for the next generation of friends of the Society attended the event, which featured a science leaders. one-on-one conversation with George Yancopoulos (1976 This year we were able to offer alumni STS), President & Chief Scientific Officer at Regeneron, a flute performance by Sara Kornfeld Simpson (2014 STS; new and engaging opportunities, 2011–2012 ISEF) and a panel conversation on the value of including: science research in solving society’s most critical challeng- • Raising awareness about the Society es. Panelists included Michael Colsher (1997 STS), Eden and how to give back Full Goh (2007–2008 ISEF), Kristin Kovner (2000 STS) and Michael Li (2003 STS; 2003 ISEF). • Promoting alumni talents beyond the traditional STEM sphere • Hosting regional and local events This global alumni network of more than 60,000 innovators, educators, aca- demics and enthusiasts is tackling some of society’s greatest challenges. We are excited to broaden our programming and provide a space for alumni to connect and, together, build a better world.

2017 ANNUAL REPORT | SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE & THE PUBLIC | 21 2017 NOBEL PRIZE IN PHYSICS Kip Thorne (1958 STS) won the Nobel Prize in physics for his work with the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) and his observations of gravitational waves. ALUMNI

22 | 2017 ANNUAL REPORT | ALUMNI Competitions

“The Society alumni community SOCIETY ALUMNI is an opportunity to establish or maintain a rapport with people STORIES & SUCCESSES who shared a similar experience Society alumni are recognized leaders Prize in Fundamental Physics; the and who have expanded into in their fields. In 2017, alumni received Nobel Prize in physics; Forbes 30 many different areas.” national and international recognition Under 30; the Blavatnik National LEON TATEVOSSIAN for their contributions to science, engi- Awards for Scientists in Chemistry, 1973 STS neering, technology, innovation and Physical Sciences and Engineering, entrepreneurship. Alumni received and Life Sciences and the Thiel accolades such as the Breakthrough Fellowship.

Jennifer Balakrishnan was on a team Kristina Johnson was named Chancellor Geoffrey Woo was named a Forbes 30 David Spergel won a Breakthrough of mathematicians who cracked the of the State University of New York. Under 30 for Consumer Technology. Prize for mapping the early universe. “cursed curve.”

2017 ANNUAL REPORT | SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE & THE PUBLIC | 23 Science News | APRIL 15, 2017 EMBRYO EDIT Researchers took a big step this year in the quest to cure genetic diseases. With the tool known as CRISPR/Cas9, scientists successfully edited disease-causing mutations out of viable human embryos for the first time. The tool has the potential to make a variety of changes in human DNA that would last a lifetime and stretch across generations. “We still have a few years to go,” said molecular biologist Alasdair MacKenzie, “but I’ve never been so hopeful as I am now of the capacity of this technology to change people’s lives.”

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SCIENCE NEWS 2017 REPORT ANNUAL |

SCIENCE NEWS ANTHONY QUINTANO/FLICKR (CC BY2.0) where spaceweathergetsitsstart. magnetic structuresareanchored and solar windoriginates,whereloopy total eclipse,thecoronaiswhere the atmosphere. Bestobserved duringa the outermostregionofsun’s Many hadtodowiththesolarcorona, entists asked someseriousquestions. moon passedinfrontofthesun,sci- much morethanaspectacle.Asthe August’s GreatAmericanEclipsewas SCIENCE SPECTACULAR Science News | AUGUST 21,2017 Journalism

EYES TO THE SKIES WITH THE ECLIPSE & BEYOND

The greatest science event of the year? Lab when the Cassini spacecraft crashed Hands down, the Great American Eclipse. into Saturn, and we were quick to jump As millions of people turned their atten- on news that a giant iceberg had broken tion to the skies, Science News was ready, from the Larsen C ice shelf. We tracked reporting live with the help of contribu- the latest advances in the CRISPR/Cas9 tors stationed across the country. True gene-editing technology, including the to our mission, we explained the science first editing of viable human embryos, behind the spectacle to loyal readers and the latest finds about human origins. and to new audiences with a 10-part Other top stories of the year included the online series in the days leading up to the colliding of neutron stars, the discovery event. Astronomy writer Lisa Grossman of a family of planets that might harbor reported live from Wyoming on eclipse life around a star some 39 light-years day, and an accompanying interactive away, and the approval of gene therapies globe put the paths of the next 15 total for treating some types of leukemia and solar eclipses at the fingertips of online lymphoma. “It is critical in this time of readers. questioning of science that we are able to We were truly in our element, geeking put sources in front of students that are out over how the corona heats, solar based on peer-reviewed research,” said LISTEN UP mass ejections and general relativity. teacher Coleen Weiss-Magasic, of West The Science News Media Group offered two audiobooks For nearly a century, Science News has Milford Township High School in West as enticements for new members this year: Head Space: How covered advances in science, medicine Milford, New Jersey. And so we continue our brains rule our lives and Life Hacks: Surprising adaptations help plants and animals thrive. Both books are packed with and technology for the general public, and our legacy of covering the latest advances, Science News for Students stories appropriate for audiences this year was no exception. We were at empowering people to evaluate the news of all ages. The best part: new members who received an mission control at NASA’s Jet Propulsion and the world around them. audiobook also supported our journalistic mission.

2017 ANNUAL REPORT | SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE & THE PUBLIC | 27 AUDIENCE FAVORITES OF 2017 Millions of people visited the Science News website in 2017, endorsing our coverage with their clicks. Here are the most popular online stories of the year, plus the most-read stories from each of our blogs.

Top stories from the magazine Top blog posts

The blue wings of this dragonfly may be CONTEXT | TOM SIEGFRIED surprisingly alive Quantum mysteries dissolve if possibilities are realities 1 Tiny tubes between veins in the shimmery Incorporating “potential” elements of reality in a complete picture blue wings of morpho dragonflies (one shown) of nature might resolve quantum mysteries (SN Online: 10/1/17). may be respiratory networks that help create nanostructures responsible for the dazzling display SCIENCE TICKER | SCIENCE NEWS STAFF (SN Online: 6/30/17). Antarctica’s Larsen C ice shelf is within days of completely cracking Here are the paths of the next 15 solar eclipses The crack in Antarctica’s Larsen C ice shelf grew Did you miss the Great American Eclipse? Find 17 kilometers at the end of May (SN Online: 6/1/17). 2 another opportunity using this map of all 15 total solar eclipses worldwide from 2017 to 2040 GROWTH CURVE | LAURA SANDERS (SN Online: 8/18/17). Drugs for reflux disease in infants may come with unintended consequences Mystery void is discovered in the Great Pyramid Infants prescribed proton-pump inhibitors may be of Giza at higher risk for broken bones later on (SN Online: 5/24/17). 3 High-energy particles from space called cosmic rays helped scientists uncover a previously WILD THINGS | SARAH ZIELINSKI unknown cavity inside one of the world’s oldest How a dolphin eats an octopus without dying and largest monuments (SN Online: 11/2/17). Dolphins in Australia prep some meals by tossing live octopuses until the creatures are safe to eat (SN Online: 4/25/17). Ancient DNA offers clues to the Canaanites’ fate 4 An analysis of five Canaanites’ genetic instruction SCICURIOUS | BETHANY BROOKSHIRE manuals not only revealed the ancient group’s On social media, privacy is no longer a personal choice roots but also identified descendants—modern Data from a defunct social platform suggest Internet users may Lebanese people (SN Online: 7/27/17). need to rethink how they control their personal information (SN Online: 8/24/17). How gut bacteria may affect anxiety 5 The inventory of tiny molecules called microRNAs SCIENCE & THE PUBLIC | SCIENCE NEWS STAFF in the brain may offer clues to how gut bacteria March for Science will take scientists’ activism to a new level hijack people’s emotions. The recent findings, in Historians called it an “unprecedented” event; more than 1 million mice, could help scientists develop new treatments people marched in support of science SCIENCE NEWS for mental health problems (SN Online: 8/29/17). on April 22 (SN Online: 4/19/17).

28 | 2017 ANNUAL REPORT | SCIENCE NEWS Journalism APPLAUSE AND OUTREACH FOR 2017 We’ve done it again. Science News received several major journalism awards in 2017 in recognition of our outstanding coverage. Our staff also traveled far and wide to spread the word about the value of science and science journalism.

Dino Doomsday We also won an Eddie award from FOLIO for our special report: Dino Doomsday (SN: 2/4/17, p. 16), which explored the fiery end of the dinosaurs and the new world that followed. The special report included: s A feature story that revisited the evidence for the dinosaurs’ final days, by Thomas Sumner s A look at the crowd of animals that thrived once dinosaurs were out of the way, by Meghan Rosen s An online slideshow highlighting the lucky birds that somehow survived the extinction events, by Susan Milius

Making News Growth Curve In the summer of 2017, Science News launched a brand- new Growth Curve blog, where neuroscience writer Laura Sanders, who is a neuroscientist and mother, Special Report tackles the inexact science of parenting — revealing Science News received an Imagination Award from the Association of what new research can and can’t say about pregnancy Magazine Media for our Gravitational Waves Special Report (SN: 3/5/16, and raising kids. Sanders has since appeared on Seattle’s p. 24). The award recognizes work that is innovative in creating and KIRO Radio talking about kids and screen time and has distributing content across multiple platforms. Among the highlights been interviewed by the website Parentifact. of the coverage: s News reporting the announcement of the detection of gravitational SN 10 waves, by Andrew Grant Close on the heels of the Growth Curve launch, in s An essay about the history of the search for gravitational waves, by October Science News recognized 10 outstanding early- author Marcia Bartusiak and mid-career scientists with the SN 10: Scientists to s A print infographic explaining the discovery, by Christopher Crockett Watch list. Academic centers around the country, in- s A video titled “What are gravitational waves?” by Helen Thompson cluding MIT, UCLA and the Carnegie Institution, helped s An online educator guide for teachers and students related to the us get the word out about these future superstars and discovery their noteworthy work.

2017 ANNUAL REPORT | SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE & THE PUBLIC | 29 Science News for Students | JULY 5, 2017 FLAVORED WATER From cats to rats to humans, mammals know when they’re drinking water. Research reported in 2017 suggests that acid-sensing taste bud cells, the same ones that help people identify a lemon as sour, also help us detect water. Though water may taste like nothing, our tongues defi- nitely sense it as something—a good thing, since water is so essential to survival.

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30 | 2017 ANNUAL REPORT | SCIENCE NEWS FOR STUDENTS Journalism

EXPLAINING TOPICAL SCIENCE TO STUDENTS

Science News for Students (SNS) brings food retrieved from the floor almost the latest developments in STEM to stu- immediately (the “5-second rule”) be safe dents 12 years and older. Engaging stories to eat? Accompanying Eureka! Lab blogs and imagery nearly doubled the online show classrooms how to repeat the exper- site’s traffic, compared to 2016. By year- imentation, data acquisition and analysis. end, SNS had logged 11.7 million unique Analyze This!—a new SNS blog series visitors, representing readers in more that debuted in 2017—also helps students than 120 nations. learn how to “read” data from tables, Major stories in 2017 included two charts and graphs. on the value of diversity in STEM fields: Teachers have asked SNS to give their one focused on people of color, the other students a scientific take on topical on researchers with disabilities. This issues. In 2017, the magazine did just that. uplifting series profiled how people beat Consider “fake news.” SNS responded the odds to make major contributions, with a series on why people are vulner- with tips for the next generation on how able to believing false claims—and how to do it. Generous support from Arconic students can seek to identify fact-based Foundation made the series possible as assertions in what they read. Major events well as two SNS videos that brought the in 2017 included hurricanes Harvey, faces and voices of such researchers to Irma and Maria, which devastated the young people. Caribbean and communities in the U.S. A pair of videos by SNS education writer Gulf Coast. By the end of September, SNS ALL THE NEWS THAT’S FIT TO PRINT Bethany Brookshire showed students had published six feature-length stories This special compilation of a Science News for Students series how to test two popular questions: how on the storms, focusing on the science on technology and innovation was made possible with gen- far will a sneeze spread germs, and will behind their impacts. erous support from The Lemelson Foundation.

2017 ANNUAL REPORT | SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE & THE PUBLIC | 31 Science News | JUNE 24, 2017 WEBB OF LIFE NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, scheduled to launch in 2020, will investigate hundreds of transiting exoplanets, including many that orbit stars known as M dwarfs. These stars, the most common type in the galaxy, are smaller, cooler and often harsher than our sun. Still, recent discoveries suggest that the ruddy stars and their planets might be tantalizing targets in the search for extraterrestrial life.

DESIREE STOVER/NASA

32 | 2017 ANNUAL REPORT | OUTREACH & EQUITY OUTREACH & EQUITY

2017 ANNUAL REPORT | SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE & THE PUBLIC | 33 IN HIGH SCHOOLS HIGH IN

NEWS IN THE CLASSROOM Through the Science News in High Schools program, high schools across the nation receive Science News. High school teachers gain a network to discuss best practices for teaching science and getting their students into scientific research. SCIENCE NEWS

34 | 2017 ANNUAL REPORT | SCIENCE NEWS IN HIGH SCHOOLS Outreach & Equity

INSPIRING CURRICULA THROUGH OUR SCIENCE REPORTING

The Science News in High Schools pro- high schools receive an interdisciplin- gram ensures that teachers can help ary educator guide with each issue, students link what they are learning in aligned with Common Core and Next their textbooks and labs to the latest Generation Science Standards. A weekly 4,350 discoveries, making topics more current, e-newsletter engages educators with the SCHOOLS relevant and understandable to inspire current issue, offering ways to incorpo- in 50 states as well as Washington, D.C., more young people to pursue an interest rate the content into their classrooms. Puerto Rico, American Samoa and the United Kingdom participated in Science News in High Schools during the in science. Teachers also gain access to an online 2017–2018 school year More than four million high school educator community, where they are students had access to the 2017–2018 able to share ideas and best practices. Science News in High Schools program. The program is positively impacting In its third year, the program engaged participating schools, many of which more than 13,000 educators from over are reaching underserved rural and 4.1 4,350 schools in all 50 states, the District Title I students. Science textbooks are MILLION STUDENTS of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American almost immediately out-of-date, whereas gained access to Science News in High Schools Samoa and the United Kingdom. Science News in High Schools provides program content during the 2017–2018 school year Each high school in the program award-winning, real-time scientific receives 10 copies of each issue of information. Science News magazine throughout the The Society appreciates the support of school year, and every participating Regeneron, Arconic Foundation and The educator has a digital account to access Burton Family Foundation, along with the 13,100 all program content and the article generosity of individuals and the Society’s TEACHERS archives going back to 1924. In addition staff Annual Giving Fund, which have all directly received the program’s content during to award-winning scientific journalism, sponsored schools in the program. the 2017–2018 school year

2017 ANNUAL REPORT | SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE & THE PUBLIC | 35 HANDS-ON LEARNING Gbaweah Sandy conducts scientific research with the help of Advocate Jamie Ludwig. ADVOCATE GRANT PROGRAM GRANT ADVOCATE

36 | 2017 ANNUAL REPORT | ADVOCATE GRANT PROGRAM Outreach & Equity

EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNDERSERVED STUDENTS

Continuing the Society’s commitment to out their grant cycle in the spring of 2017, expanding opportunities for underserved having mentored over 500 underserved students, the Advocate Grant Program students, with more than 400 of them experienced strong growth and success entering science research competitions, in 2017. Advocates serve as mentors for including local and regional fairs, Intel a group of underserved middle or high ISEF and the Regeneron Science Talent school students, helping them transition Search. In the spring of 2017, the Society from doing science projects and research welcomed a new cohort of 45 Advocates, to entering their work in science research including six Lead Advocates. Following competitions. In addition to a stipend, the Advocate Training Institute in June

Advocates receive an all-expenses-paid 2017, those 45 participants recruited over Teachers work on a project with students at the Advocate trip to Washington, D.C., for the Advocate 700 underserved students, many of whom Training Institute in Washington, D.C. Training Institute, an event where they subsequently entered or will enter science are given additional training and support research competitions. from Society staff and Lead Advocates. The Society Advocate Grant Program Lead Advocates are returning Advocates is made possible through the support of who provide an extra layer of support for Arconic Foundation, Jack Kent Cooke new Advocates throughout the program Foundation and Regeneron. Through via monthly conference calls as well as their support, the number of Advocates through an online community. continues to grow, enabling the Society to Following a successful pilot program reach and engage underserved students of nine Advocates in 2015, the Advocate and help them enter STEM competitions. Ameka Yawson works on scientific research with Jamie Grant Program expanded to serve 31 Ludwig, an Advocate for the 2017–2018 school year. participants in 2016. That cohort closed

2017 ANNUAL REPORT | SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE & THE PUBLIC | 37 TEACHERS COLLABORATING At our annual Research Teachers Conference, science research teachers network and gain skills to help their students enter science competitions. RESEARCH TEACHERS CONFERENCE CONFERENCE TEACHERS RESEARCH

38 | 2017 ANNUAL REPORT | RESEARCH TEACHERS CONFERENCE Outreach & Equity

BRINGING TOGETHER STEM RESEARCH TEACHERS

In its third year, the Research Teachers is working to develop curricula and Conference once again brought together improve educator access to data sets. 200 teachers from across the country— Narasim Banavara of Mercy College from veteran research teachers hoping hosted a session showing how he uses to share their knowledge and seeking TSA and NYPD data for his students’ reinvigoration to novice teachers aspiring research projects. Veteran Research to help students see science in its truest Teachers presented on topics such as form—authentic science research. A total “Supporting Science Research in Rural of 500 teachers from close to 500 high Areas” and “Inspiring Student Research schools have now attended the confer- with Science News.” High school teachers share best practices for supporting ence, and many have returned home to students in independent science research. inspire change in their school districts. Teachers indicated that their experience at the conference will improve their research classes or programs, lead them to start mentoring students with projects, or connect them with other teachers who can help to sustain their programs throughout the year. This year’s conference highlighted the use of big data in student research projects, and keynote speaker Ruth Teachers gather in Washington, D.C., to connect with a Krumhansl, of the Oceans of Data network of their peers. Institute, shared how her organization

2017 ANNUAL REPORT | SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE & THE PUBLIC | 39 40

| STEM ACTION & RESEARCH GRANTS 2 017 REPORT ANNUAL |

STEM ACTION & RESEARCH GRANTS &RESEARCH ACTION STEM programming. teaches leadership,electronicsand computer Electric Girls,aNewOrleans-based nonprofit, POWER &PROGRAMMING TOOLS Outreach & Equity

ACTION & RESEARCH STEM GRANTS SUPPORTING STUDENTS THROUGH EDUCATORS & NONPROFITS

The Society for Science & the Public materials needed to complete research 2017 STEM ACTION GRANT RECIPIENTS recently launched a series of grant pro- projects or travel necessary to bring grams aimed at supporting teachers, students to locations where they could students and innovative nonprofits complete their research. engaging in STEM activities. Through the The Society for Science & the Public STEM Action Grant program, the Society Award for Community Innovation was is supporting organizations that advocate established in 2017 as part of the STEM for the general public’s increased under- Action Grant program. Twenty Society- standing of STEM fields, spark a lifelong affiliated science fairs were each invited interest in and appreciation for STEM to award $500 to the project at the fair fields through unique programming that provided the best solution to a prob- and increase underrepresented popula- lem in the local community. The recipi- tions’ participation in STEM fields. In ents of this award were featured on the 2017, small grants of up to $5,000 were Society’s blog, and their stories demon- awarded to 13 deserving organizations to strate how they are making a difference support their work, totaling $55,000. in their hometowns. Through the STEM Research Grant program, the Society supports educators who are leading students in authentic SIXTH ANNUAL STEM research projects, enriching multiple students and supporting low- income or underrepresented students. In total, the Society provided $120,000 in grants to 29 STEM teachers to fund

2017 ANNUAL REPORT | SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE & THE PUBLIC | 41 Science News | MARCH 4, 2017 BREATHLESS A once popular cancer-fighting strategy sought to starve tumors by cutting off their oxygen supply (areas of low oxygen are green in this mouse breast cancer). But recent research suggests such efforts might do more harm than good. Oxygen deprivation can trigger a metabolic panic that can drive tumor growth and spread, as well as encourage drug resistance.

STEVE SEUNG-YOUNG LEE, NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE, UNIV. OF CHICAGO COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER

42 | 2017 ANNUAL REPORT | SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE & THE PUBLIC SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE & THE PUBLIC

2017 ANNUAL REPORT | SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE & THE PUBLIC | 43 Science News | SEPTEMBER 16, 2017 FROM THE DEEP About 3,000 meters underwater off the southeast coast of South America, a stream of deep water from the Atlantic Ocean spills into the Southern Ocean. Recent research tracked the path of that water, called the North Atlantic Deep Water, as it spirals southeastward and up toward the surface around Antarctica. This warmer, saltier water has been linked to the melting of ice shelves, including off the western Antarctic Peninsula (shown).

JO CREBBIN/SHUTTERSTOCK

FINANCIALS

The Society for Science & the Public operates two broad and remained steady with 2.7 million Facebook fans. The Society’s investment portfolio makes up areas of program work: science journalism and world- The Science News in High Schools program contin- 79 percent of current assets. The investment portfo- class science competitions for high school and middle ues to play a significant role in the Society’s outreach lio is conservatively invested to preserve capital school students. Ninety-one cents of every dollar spent efforts. The program is funded through individual and and minimize any downside risk. by the Society goes to support program work. General corporate grants that sponsor over 4,350 high schools Restricted assets (grants receivable) make up the and administrative costs are four cents of every expense with 43,450 print magazines and unlimited digital largest asset class, which represent future funding dollar and fundraising costs are five cents of every access for each sponsored school. The program serves commitments from Regeneron, Intel, Broadcom expense dollar. over 4.1 million students. Foundation and additional funders for science com- Science competitions remain a vibrant and important The Society’s balance sheet is very healthy, with petitions and other program work. segment of program work, accounting for 69 percent unrestricted current assets exceeding current lia- of all program spending. The audience for science jour- bilities by $27.2 million, yielding a ratio of 4.8 (ratio nalism continued to expand in 2017. The Science News of current assets to current liabilities). The Society website garnered more than 10 million unique visitors carries no long-term debt and owns its primary office during 2017. Twitter followers increased to 2.7 million real estate.

44 | 2017 ANNUAL REPORT | FINANCIALS The Society

Current Year Operating Revenue and Expense Balance Sheet 2017 2016 2017 2016 Revenue Assets

Science News magazine $ 6,801,368 $ 5,648,941 Cash and short term receivables $ 7,299,173 $ 3,016,104 Science education programs 20,489,478 17,762,816 Investments 27,130,890 26,543,262 In-kind and other revenue 953,822 1,181,930 Grants receivable 67,694,362 78,442,518

Total operating revenue 28,244,668 24,593,687 Property and equipment 152,731 286,247 Total Assets 102,277,156 108,288,131 Expense

Program services 26,545,539 22,558,091 Liabilities General and management 1,254,891 1,471,265 Accounts payable 1,044,609 515,015 Awards payable 2,880,760 2,594,490 Fundraising 1,525,701 814,721 Deferred subscription revenue 3,285,630 3,267,555 Total operating expense 29,326,131 24,844,077 Post retirement beneﬁt liability 1,968,000 1,789,000 Total Liabilities 9,178,998 8,166,060

Non Operating Activities and Pledges Net Assets $ 93,098,157 $100,122,071 2017 2016 Non Operating Activity

Investment income 2,488,549 1,627,399 FY 2017 Operating Revenue FY 2017 Operating Expense Change in post retirement beneﬁt liability (82,671) (104,149) 3% 4% 5% Pledges and Contributions Designated for Future Years 24% Pledges and contributions received in 2017 14,113,341 52,742,378 Prior years’ pledges used in current year (22,797,249) (18,923,015) Change in permanently restricted net assets 335,578 25,480 73% 91% Non Operating Activity (5,942,452) 35,368,093

Change in Net Assets (7,023,915) 35,117,703 Net assets at the beginning of the year 100,122,071 65,004,368 Science News magazine Program services Science education programs General and management Net assets at the end of the year $ 93,098,156 $100,122,071 In-kind and other revenue Fundraising

2017 ANNUAL REPORT | SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE & THE PUBLIC | 45 WHY I GIVE “I’m very pleased with the opportunity to support the Society for Science & the Public. I am inspired by the Society’s work in engaging young people — especially those in underserved communities — in science, technology, engineering and math. The Society’s Science News in High Schools program, in particular, has a powerful impact on young people at an important juncture in their lives. I’m delighted to help reach more individuals through all the Society’s programs, making an impact through STEM education and science journalism.” Christy Burton co-founded The Burton Family Foundation and chairs the Foundation’s board. The Foundation is a leading sponsor of the Society’s Science News in High Schools program, providing funding for 100 Arizona schools.

CHRISTY BURTON Trustee, Society for Science & the Public Co-Founder and Chair, The Burton Family Foundation

46 | 2017 ANNUAL REPORT | GIVING The Society GIVING Thank you to all of our members, subscribers, donors, sponsors, volunteers and other contributors. We are grateful for your commitment to put the power and wonder of science into everyone’s hands.

Institutional donors

Title Sponsors Collaborator Just Give Intel ISEF Special Award GoDaddy Society of Experimental Broadcom Foundation $10,000–$19,999 Leslie Fund, Inc. Organizations IEEE Foundation Test Pilots Intel Foundation and Intel Allergan Lloyd A. Fry Foundation Acoustical Society of America Intel Foundation SPIE, the international society Corporation Ashtavadhani Vidwan Ambati Local Independent Charities ADA Foundation International Council on Systems for optics and photonics Regeneron Subbaraya Chetty Foundation Los Alamos National Air Force Research Laboratory Engineering U.S. Agency for International Experience Matters Security, LLC on behalf of the United States K. Soumyanath Development Inventor Consortium, Inc. Lou Caputo & Rose Eufinger Air Force Memorial Award U.S. Environmental $250,000–$999,999 Northrop Grumman Charitable Trust American Chemical Society King Abdul-Aziz & his Companions Protection Agency Arconic Foundation (successor to Southern California Edison Morgan Stanley c/o American Committee for the Foundation for Giftedness United Technologies Corporation Legacy Alcoa Foundation) The Grable Foundation CyberGrants, Inc. Weizmann Institute of Science and Creativity University of Arizona The River Foundation Nail-O-Saw-Rus Exactus American Geosciences Institute Monsanto Company University of the Sciences in Developer Western Digital National Charitable American Institute of Aeronautics Mu Alpha Theta, National High Philadelphia $100,000–$249,999 Services Corp. & Astronautics School and Two-Year College University of Toronto Faculty of PayPal Giving Fund Applied Science & Engineering Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Ambassador American Intellectual Property Mathematics Honor Society Pledgeling Foundation Wolfram Research, Inc. The Lemelson Foundation $5,000–$9,999 Law Association National Aeronautics and Space Princeton Senior Resource Center Gilead Sciences American Mathematical Society Administration Sacred Heart School KPMG American Meteorological Society National Anti-Vivisection Society Explorer Saint Albans School $50,000–$99,999 The Riordan Foundation American Physiological Society National Institute on Drug Abuse, The Boeing Company Gift Match/ American Psychological Feng Zhang Fund for STEM National Institutes of Health BPAC Program Association Education and Outreach Associate & the Friends of NIDA The Chicago Community Trust American Statistical Association Glassman Family Fund Up to $4,999 National Oceanic and Atmospheric The Horizon Foundation Arconic Foundation AmazonSmile Administration Gleason Foundation for New Jersey Arizona State University National Security Agency Research Robert Wood Johnson Foundation America’s Charities TIAA Charitable Ashtavadhani Vidwan Ambati Directorate Tang Prize Foundation Babitch Trust United Way of Central Maryland Subbaraya Chetty Foundation National Taiwan Science The Benevity Community Belmont Marketplace Vanguard Charitable Association for Computing Education Center Impact Fund Benz Family Fund YourCause, LLC Trustee Machinery The Burton Family Foundation BNY Mellon Charitable Gift Fund for AOL, Inc. Association for the Advancement Office of Naval Research on behalf The John S. and James L. Knight Bright Funds Foundation YourCause, LLC Trustee of Artificial Intelligence of the United States Navy and Foundation Charity Gift Certificates for Chevron Matching Astronomical Society of the Pacific Marine Corps ConocoPhillips Employee Funds and the American Astronomical Oracle Academy Maker Elias Family Philanthropic Fund YourCause, LLC Trustee Society Patent and Trademark $20,000–$49,999 Exelon Corporation for Pfizer Foundation ASU Rob and Melani Walton Office Society Bayer USA Foundation Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC Matching Gifts Sustainability Solutions Qatar Foundation, Research Craig and Barbara Barrett Granite Bay Media, Inc. YourCause, LLC Trustee Initiatives & Development Foundation H.M. Payson for the Vanguard Matching China Association for Science REDDS Venture Investment EQT Foundation Harris Corporation Gift Program and Technology Partners GoDaddy Innospec Inc. Coalition for Plasma Science Ricoh USA, Inc PPG Foundation Ivan and Carol Hoyt Drexel University Samvid Education Foundation Samueli Foundation Charitable Fund Drug, Chemical & Associated Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Susie and Gideon Yu Foundation John L. Miller Great Neck North Technologies Association Honor Society The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation High School Science Florida Institute of Technology Society for Experimental Anonymous Research Boosters Fondazione Bruno Kessler Mechanics, Inc.

Catalyst Circle $10,000–$24,999 Science Leaders Hal and Elisabeth Schmithorst Dudley and Science Enthusiasts $100,000 and above Craig and Barbara Barrett $5,000–$9,999 Edward Thorp Georgene Herschbach $500–$999 Thomas and Eileen Washburn Christine and Daryl Burton Mary Sue Coleman Maya Ajmera and Tessa Hill Sumeet Ajmani David Hollander Bob Horvitz and Ramesh and Roopa Ajmera Tom and Bonnie Leighton Michael and Katherine Colsher Celia and Walter Gilbert Hayley Barna and $2,500–$4,999 Martha Constantine Paton Brenna Albracht Edward Cheng Judy and Ted Hoff Fredrik Maroe Margaret Hudson Rachel and Elijah Alper $50,000–$99,999 William Bencze Vladimir Gaytanov Erika Angle Leroy and Valerie Hood Thomas and Sandra Jemison Jeff and Cecilia Glassman Stephen and Joan Charles Jon Graff Allan and Merry Avery Thomas and Frances Knight Richard Jenkins Yufen Shi and Feng Zhang Mathew Kessler Alan and Agnes Leshner Samuel and Emma Kafoury Andrew and Linda Banta Peggy Lentz Alexander Lane Nancy Peltzer Anonymous Julia Kalmus Alex Bantz Scott McGregor and Christopher Long Robert and Anne Shaw Richard Barnes Robert Kempf Laurie Girand Stephanie Pace Marshall Sheel Tyle Byron and Barbara Barrington James Kirk $25,000–$49,999 George Yancopoulos Slavko Milovancevic Don Wolman Jordan Batson George Landau and Susie and Gideon Yu Anonymous Fletcher Rothkopf Anonymous (2) Jeffrey Beaudry Elisa Abeloff John Beeler $1,000–$2,499 Gordon and Theresa Large Jamie Biel Nick Adelmeyer Thomas Luken Paul Brooks Marian and Richard Baldy Paul Maddon Mark Caprio Travis Bartholomew Bruce Makous Martin Chalfie B. Beard Dick Moore Park Chamberlain Adele Behar Wistar and Martha Morris Craig and Sylvia Chambers James Biggs Dianne Newman and Jessica Chambers Sue Blough Jonas Peters William and Karen Chung Adam Bly Vijay Pande James Cooper Don Boettger Will and Sherrie Pastron Tracy Cooper Joe Caruso Navaneetha and Gita Rao Anne Cucci Rob Chang Adele Richardson Ray Bena Currin Ernie Condon Richard and Nancy Saunders Jefferson Davis Margaret and David Conover Joel and Janine Shaw Thatte Dayte Robert Cowen William DeBord Starrett and Nancy Dalton Beth and Russ Siegelman Gustavus Simmons Michael and Rosemary deRosa Bidyut and Tanima Das Thomas Detman Rachael Solem Walt Donovan and Marilyn Lang Andrea Dobson Priscilla Spears Julia Espel V. Alton Dohner Alfred and Rhonda Spector Bert and Candace Forbes Reginald Dufour Gordon Freeman and Daryl Sprion James and Anita Dulak Arlene Sharpe Mary Stroh-Twichell and Marlin Eller Sue Gier Chuck Twichell Dale Embry Allen and Shirley Ginzburg Jane Turner Jeffrey Eppinger and Francesmary Robin Halford Dan Watson Modugno Jon and Belva Hauxwell Nelson Ying Erick Erickson Kevin and Lisa Heller Marian and Elzbieta Zlotkiewicz Marguerite Erickson Brian Hennessey Anonymous (3) Charles Feeney

WHY WE GIVE “Finding the brightest minds and empowering tomorrow’s workforce helps create strong and vibrant communities. The Society is a catalyst for creating the breakthroughs that will solve our toughest challenges.” Since 2015, Arconic Foundation has been a generous lead funder of the Society’s ESRA OZER Science News in High Schools program, Advocate Grant Program and Science News Chief Communications Officer & Vice President of for Students. The Foundation also provided Special Awards for accomplished finalists Inclusion and Diversity, Arconic Inc. President, Arconic Foundation and funded Education Outreach Day at Intel ISEF 2017.

48 | 2017 ANNUAL REPORT | GIVING The Society

Gary Feinberg Ian Fentie Tiffany Fisher WHY I GIVE Maribeth Fletcher Betty Flodin “In high school, I was wildly curious about science. Cynthia French I played hooky many days to go down to the Library of G. Patrick Galvin Congress to read about physics and chemistry, to read David Gentry H. Carey Gire about atomic energy and Van de Graaff generators. William and Lorna Glaunsinger I competed in science fairs. When I won a place as one Michele Glidden David Good of 40 Westinghouse Science Talent Search finalists in Michelle Gotthold 1949, I found a world of people who were my equals, my Jean Graustein Jack Graver intellectual kin. That year, a whole group of us went to George Green Harvard together and stimulated each other in courses Harlan Halma to outperform. I am delighted to support the organization Anne and Steven Hansen Lenwood Heath that continues to make this opportunity available to Douglas Hegebarth young people, especially seeking out students from Vincent Hietala E. A. Higgins underrepresented backgrounds. We must identify and Sharon Himmelstein nurture the next generation of innovators.” Peter and Donna Hollinger Judith Hunderfund Walter Gilbert is a founding member of the Catalyst Shelly Jackson Circle, a group of leading supporters for Society for Douglas Jacobson Jad Jadeja Science & the Public. Robert Janes Barry Jones Thomas Jones Bennet Yee Brenda Bergevin Martin and Marci Karplus Ruth and Charles Yeiser Jeff Berwick and Lai Kwok Francis Keeler, Jr. Jeffrey and Johanna Zinn Pamela Blake Jerry Kickenson Donald Zito C. John Blankley Carole Kitti Anonymous (8) V. F. Boehnke Peter Klose Russell Bogardus Amy Knox WALTER GILBERT $250–$499 Becky and Al Bogart Paul and Mary Kohlmiller Amy Bouska 1949 STS Allan Abrahamse Terrence Kramer Barbara Bowman Professor Emeritus at Harvard University Cecilia Absher and David Katz David Krupp Gregory Breen Richard Larson Winner of 1980 Nobel Prize in Chemistry Milton Adams Peter and Shari Adams Joe Bridger Dennis Lehman Peter Britton Terrence Adamski and William Leininger David Brown Sheryl Ann Jackson Christopher Leslie Wai and Han Moy Wayne Scott Anthony and Young Tepedino Glenn and Jeanette Brown H. M. Addkison, Jr. Nike Lewis Alissa Nevin Shekhar Sharma Trudie Thompson Karen Brown Tom Again Shuxian Li Peter and Isaac Newcomb Anna-Katrina Shedletsky Jeremy Thorner Robert Brown George and Roseann Lorefice Joseph and Mary Ordner Kathy Shepherd Melissa Thun Nancy Alexander Fredric Buchholz Daniel Ludwig Lisa Russell-Mina and Nancy Shute Robin Toblin Susan Almy Ray Bucklin Karen Mappin Sami Mina Ross Simons Christine Treadwell Betty Annis Michelle and Ron Burch David March Joe Palca and Kathy Hudson Charles Smith J. Harold Turner and Marcelle Arak B. J. Burk Ward Mardfin Jonathan and Jessie Panek Leslie and Linda Smith Bonnie Moonchild William Arnold Charles Burmeister Lakshmi Matukumalli William Parker Susan M. Staugaitis John and Anne Turtle Maya Bailoor Steve Burns Chris McDonald Laura Pearle Susan Streufert Nina Vasan F. and J. Barclay Harry Cade Mary McDonnell Gerry Pocock Kent Stuiber Jay Walsh Brian Bartholmai David Cain Elise Mezger Lyle Ramshaw Daniel Sullivan Nicole Watts Thomas and Johanna Baruch Elizabeth Caplan Craig Miller Gregory Richterich Craig Swannack Jeffrey Weiss and Chad Beatty Sean and Jamie Carroll Lauren Milner Geoffrey Rieser Carol Swarts Nancy Freeman Bradly Berg and Jason Chamberlain C. Jill Minar Doug and Wendy Robbins Cheryl Tanasovich Ken Witherly Ramona Rolle-Berg Barbara Charette James and Jennifer Misko Leonard Rosi David Tattan Jim and Linda Wooldridge Lisa Berger John Cheek

Sally Chubb Alan Citron Boyd Clampitt WHY I GIVE MY TIME James and Laurie Clark Terry Clark “Intel ISEF constructs a worthwhile, meaningful volunteer Thomas Clark opportunity for me because it supports the notion that Martha Clatterbaugh we need to champion the inquisitive moments that fuel Gilbert and Swainia Cochran James and Maria Cockrum innovation in young people and support the development Douglas and Barbara Cole of their identity within the science, technology, Rosemary Colgate Belinda Collins engineering and math fields. I have been proud to serve Carol Combs as a volunteer, Spanish-language interpreter and chair of Janice Conavay Allison Connell the Los Angeles Local Arrangements Committee for the Larry Conrad past eight years because Intel ISEF allows me to witness Tom and Stephanie Conroy the limitless potential of young researchers who have Christopher Cool Daniel Coops taken charge of their curiosity. I am proud to donate my James and Veronica Coulter time to Intel ISEF, which delivers on its mission of being a Pamela Coville Peter Coy champion for science.” Jeanene Crenshaw Austin Crouchley William Cruce Charles Hoffman Michael King Madeleine Cunningham Walter Hoffman Justin Kleingartner J. Dash Marie Hogan Daniel and Beatrice Kleppner Andrew Daubenspeck Edson and Mary Holland Jeanne Kline Thomas Davis, Jr. Joyce Holtzman Michael Klobucar Dorothy Dean Diane Honeysett Jeff Kodosky Erik and Beverly DeBenedictis Ellen Honsa Scott Duke Kominers Jeff Dike William Horton John Kozero John Dishion James Houstle Ludwig Krchma Kathleen Doering F. W. Houston Eric Krupka and Arah Schuur Eric Dorge Eugenia and Donald Howard Kenneth W. Kuehn Daniel Dorrite Peter and Charlotte Howell Julie and Marc Kummel George Drake Glenn Huff John Kuner Arthur Draut Elizabeth Hugel Christina Lacey Herman Drees Barry Hughes Nancy Lambert Robert Druzinsky MILENA ACOSTA William Hugie Bjorn Lange Leonard Duda Co-Chair, Local Arrangements Committee, John Hunter Susan Lapis Howard Duncan Intel ISEF 2017, Los Angeles Bruce Hyman Sylvia Larue Douglas Easton Dale Jacobs Warren Lavey Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County P. M. Edmison Pam Jenkins Mimi and Paul Lee Ranya and Sriram Edupuganti R. Bradley and Mark Leeper Kathleen Edwards Evangelina Jensen Peter Limburg Keith Eggeman Theresa Fleming Kathryn Grabau-Davis James Hanko Bruce Johnson Charles Linden J. and D. Ellison Frank Fletcher Michael Grayson John Hanou Chris Johnson Fred Linker Emilio Englade Sandra Fonville Ralph Guertin Katherine Haramundanis Erik Johnson R. W. Lockwood Clyde and Charlotte Ewalt George Foote Al Guhl Michael Harding Helen Johnson Carol Losos and Judson Weaver Arthur Falk Mark and Mary Jo Fortuna Charles and Ginger Guthrie Lawrence Hardy William Johnston Michael and Mary Lubin John Fay Dean Fortune Zeev Gutkin Kristine Harper Robert Kachman Joanne Lyman Russell Fernald Richard Fox Edward Hailey Roderic Harvey Tahseena Kahn Robert Lynch Jeremy Ferris Barbara Friedman Thomas Haines and Megan and Jermey Healey Mary and Gerald Kamprath Atul and Alka Madan Robert Field Robert Gange Mary Cleveland Charles Helmick Nithika Karthikeyan Daniel Magraw Howard Fielding Dennis Gilbert Piotr and Joanna Hajlasz Charles Helwig Erin Keables Tyler Mahy Anne Filson Madge Goldman John Hall Daniel Henehan Richard Kelsch Sally Malone Rebecca and Oliver Finney Steven Golowich Marc Hallada Douglas Hill John Kennedy Thomas Manteuffel Anne Fisher Hallie Goodall Steve and Debbie Hankison William Himwich Mark Ketterer Linda and Jerry Mar

50 | 2017 ANNUAL REPORT | GIVING The Society

Ward Mardfin Dustin L. McIntyre Barbara Miller John Morrow Edward Roach Rob and Diane Thompson James Mardis Michael Meadows Joel Mintzes Duane and Margaret Morse Robert Robinson Peter Thomson Harry Markert Lloyd Medsker William and Sharon Moerner Larry Mutti Thomas Roche Michael Tomayko W. and M. Mattsson John Mersinias James Mohr Lex Nakashiman The Rogers Family Richard Treitel Jason May Fred Mervine John Montagna Frank Navarro David Rosenfeld Kavita Tumma William McCormack John Miaullis Lee Montgomery Patti and John Neer Dennis Ruppert and Nithin Tumma Ann McGinley Diana Mickle Alice and Robert Moore Cheryl Nelson Sherry Rader Renwick Tweedy Thomas McGivern Judy Mieskosli Steven and Kathleen Moore Robert Nelson Reid Samuelson Jeff Newmeyer Sandra Sandell M. T. Tyler Robert Newton John Santos Greg Ucker John Nightingale Fred Sauter Pete and Gina Van Opens Mike Normandin John Scanlan Jerrold and Allison Vannocker Victor Norton Steven Schaefer Salomon Wald Gregory and Mary Norton Karl Schick Jeremy Warner Keith and Bonnie Novek Annelies Schlitt Chester Waters Russell Noyes Joshua Schnell and David Watson Thomas Ognibene Marija Tesic-Schnell R. Webb Hope Oliver Tom Schwartz Mary Wedgewood Eric K. Olson and Susan Scott Catherine Nichols Salvador Sedita Chris Wegener Ray Olszewski C. and H. Seibert Larry Wehr Diane and Ron Ostojic Lawrence Shapiro Alan Weiss Joseph Owens Lee Shombert Gregory and Kay Werk John Pearl Donna Siemro Donald and Francis Wheeler James Pendleton Vincent Siravo Kenneth Wille Gregory Pepin William Smith Richard Williams Frederick Perfect Ryan Sonntag R. Ryan Williams William Pickard W. Stanton Alan and Michelle Willner Ruth Pollock Joseph Stelmach Sherwood Wise Robert and JoAnn Potthoff D. Stephens Nicholas and Susan Pritzker Mary Ann Stepp Christoph Witzgall John Purdon Gil Stevens Alain Wood-Prince Natelle Quek Matthew Stone Robert Wray Dean Quick David Storrs Andy Yang and Yan Sun Elizabeth Quill Carolyn Strange George Young James Racin Ann Strawn Janet Youngblood Lon Radin Roger Stringham Sooyong Yun and Chanyi Jung Colleen and Kenneth Rand David Stuart Rudolf Zangl Dan Sulzbach Kurt Reisler Michael Zelman Robert Reynolds and Karl Syndulko Tanya Zimmerli Lisle Nabell Diane Takeuchi Robert and Mary Rhein Virginia Tartaglio David Zuccaro George and Kay Richmond Blake Thalacker Thomas Zurfluh John and Karen Riege Andrew Thomas Anonymous (11)

WHY WE GIVE “By challenging and inspiring students to pursue STEM learning, the Society supports students that work hard and may have financial need. Through the mentorship of an Advocate, underrepresented students are able to access scientific competitions, college and beyond.” HAROLD LEVY Since 2015, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has been a lead supporter of the Society’s Executive Director, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Advocate Grant Program.

If we have left out or misspelled your name, please accept our sincerest apology and contact us so that we may correct our records. 2017 ANNUAL REPORT | SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE & THE PUBLIC | 51 Science News | APRIL 29, 2017 THE PROTON PUZZLE The subatomic particles make up much of the visible matter in the universe, but scientists still have a lot to learn about protons. The PHENIX experiment at Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York helped discover the source of protons’ spin, a quantum property analogous to the spinning of a top. Data from PHENIX helped demonstrate that gluons—particles that hold the proton together—contributed to the spin.

BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LAB (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

52 | 2017 ANNUAL REPORT | BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND STAFF The Society

SOCIETY BOARD OF TRUSTEES

H. Robert Horvitz , Chair Hayley Bay Barna Tom Leighton Alan Leshner, Vice Chair Craig R. Barrett Stephanie Pace Marshall Robert W. Shaw, Jr., Treasurer Christy Burton Scott A. McGregor Paul J. Maddon, Secretary Sean B. Carroll Joe Palca Mary Sue Coleman, Executive Committee, At-Large Martin Chalfie Frank Wilczek Maya Ajmera, Ex Officio Tessa M. Hill Feng Zhang

EXECUTIVE TEAM

Maya Ajmera Michele Glidden Rachel Goldman Alper Cait Goldberg Rick Bates Gayle Kansagor Kathlene Collins Bruce Makous Stephen Egts James C. Moore Kumar Garg Nancy Shute

SOCIETY STAFF

Zain Abidin Emily Conover Lisa Grossman Edward Maxwell Elizabeth Quill Allison Hewlett Stifel Eman Ahmed Paolo Cruz Victor Hall Susan Milius Janet Raloff Caitlin Sullivan Daryl Anderson Erin Cummins Laurel Hamers Lisa Russell-Mina Raevathi Ramadorai Evora Swoopes Bruce Bower Aimee Cunningham Hunter Hart Macon Morehouse Diane Rashid Maria Temming Brandy Boyd Ellen Cutler Bridgette Hudson Nancy Moulding Elizabeth Remy Helen Thompson Nancy Boyd Kathryn Daigle Lillian Steenbilk Hwang Eric Nguyen Anna Rhymes Tracee Tibbitts Michele Brenner Maxine David Lisa Icenroad Elizabeth O’Shea Krystal Robinson Katherine Travis Bethany Brookshire Emily Demarco Ashley Johnson Eric Olson Paul Roger Cori Vanchieri Alison Buki Michael Denison June Kee Erin Otwell Carole Russo Marcell Washington Federico Castaneda Lauren E. Duffy Naveed Khan Pratham Patkar Tina Hesman Saey Erin R. Wayman Chang Won Chang Jinny Farrell Tracy Lee Aparna Paul Jordan Schwartzbach Randy C. Williams Marlena Chertock Ricardo Gortaire Kristen Looney John Pierce Sharon Snyder Sarah Zielinski Sarah Conner Carolyn Gramling Cassandra Martin Kyle Plantz Geoffrey Starks

Society Executive Team and Staff as of June 22, 2018 2017 ANNUAL REPORT | SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE & THE PUBLIC | 53 Science News | NOVEMBER 11, 2017 BRIGHT BURST Two ultradense cores of dead stars produced a long-awaited collision observed directly for the first time this year. The smashup of neutron stars 130 million light-years away, shown in this artist’s conception, showered scientists with riches. Some 70 observatories gathered data in the form of gravitational waves, gamma rays, X-rays, radio waves and in visible, ultravi- olet and infrared light. “Already it is transform- ing our understanding of the universe, with a fresh narrative of the physics of stars in their death throes,” said France Córdova, director of the National Science Foundation.

NSF, LIGO, A. SIMONNET/SONOMA STATE UNIV.

For more information, please contact: Bruce Makous Chief Advancement Officer 202-872-5138 | [email protected] www.societyforscience.org | www.sciencenews.org