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Ready, Set, SCIENCE! Putting Research to Work in K-8 Science Classrooms THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES
What types of instructional experiences help K-8 students learn science with understanding? What do science educators and specialists, teacher leaders, professional development staff, curriculum designers, NATIONAL ACADEMY OF NATIONAL SCIENCES ACADEMY OF NATIONAL ENGINEERING INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE RESEARCH COUNCIL NATIONAL and school administrators need to know to create and support such experiences? INFOCUS infocusmagazine.org Ready, Set, SCIENCE! summarizes a rich body of research to help teachers and science practitioners make sense of new findings and their implications for classroom practice. This useful and accessible book — based on the National Research Council’s report Taking Science to School: Learning and Teaching Science in Grades K-8 — explains the most effective methods to help students achieve science proficiency. Filled with case studies that demonstrate a wide range of practical applications of research findings, Ready, Set, SCIENCE! describes how teachers select and design rigorous and engaging instructional tasks, manage classrooms, orchestrate productive discussions with diverse groups of stu- dents, and help students visualize using a variety of representational tools. Ready, Set, SCIENCE! is an essential resource for science educators. ISBN 0-309-10614-1 $22.95 220 pages National Academies Press www.nap.edu
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Balancing Science and Security Mississippi River Water Quality The Search for Life in the Universe
Fall 2007 vol. 7 number 3 Sediment Dredging at Superfund Strategic Management of Understanding the Benefits and Megasites: Assessing the Information and Communication Risks of Pharmaceuticals — Effectiveness Technology: The United States Air Workshop Summary Board on Environmental Studies Force Experience With Y2K Board on Health Sciences Policy, and Toxicology, Division on Earth Division on Policy and Global Institute of Medicine (2007, 98 and Life Studies (2007, 316 pp.; Affairs; and Computer Science pp.; ISBN 0-309-10738-5; available ISBN 0-309-10977-9; available and Telecommunications Board, from NAP). from NAP). Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences (2007, 142 pp.; Understanding Interventions That Social Security Administration ISBN 0-309-11128-5; available Encourage Minorities to Pursue Electronic Service Provision: A from NAP). Research Careers — Summary of Strategic Assessment a Workshop Computer Science and Strategy for an Army Center for Board on Life Sciences, Division on Telecommunications Board, Network Science, Technology, and Earth and Life Studies (2007, 100 Division on Engineering and Experimentation pp.; ISBN 0-309-11226-5; available Physical Sciences (2007, 174 pp.; Board on Army Science and from NAP). ISBN 0-309-10393-2; available Technology, Division on Engineering from NAP). and Physical Sciences (2007, 98 Veterans and Agent Orange: Update pp.; ISBN 0-309-10696-6; available 2006 The nation turns to the National Academy of Software for Dependable Systems: from NAP). Board on Population Health and Sufficient Evidence? Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute Credits: Public Health Practices, Institute Computer Science and Summary of a Workshop for of Medicine, and National Research Council for Cover: (clockwise from upper left) Technicians in a genetics research of Medicine (2007, approx. 900 laboratory, ©Bill Gallery-Doctor Stock/Science Faction/Getty Telecommunications Board, Software-Intensive Systems and pp.; ISBN 0-309-10708-3; available independent, objective advice on issues that affect Images; paddle wheel of the American Queen on the Mississippi Division on Engineering and Uncertainty at Scale River, ©Buddy Mays/Corbis; artist’s concept of fledgling solar from NAP). people’s lives worldwide. Additional information system observed by NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope containing Physical Sciences (2007, 148 pp.; Computer Science and about the National Academies and their work can enough water vapor to fill Earth’s oceans five times, courtesy ISBN 0-309-10394-0; available Telecommunications Board, Water Implications of Biofuels NASA/JPL-Caltech from NAP). Division on Engineering and be found online at
f e a t u r e s CONTENTS
ENVIRONMENT & RESOURCES RESEARCH & POLICY
4 An Orphan River 12 To Secure Both Nation and Closer care needed for Mississippi’s Scientific Freedom water quality Striking a balance
14 Combating Climate Change How far have we come?
14
4 ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY 15 Life in the Universe Broadening the search for 6 Minerals extraterrestrial life Hot commodities in a global economy 17 50 Years in the Sky A satellite success story HEALTH & SOCIAL ISSUES
8 Treating Body and Mind 17 Cancer care for the whole patient
10 The Nuclear Medicine Renaissance Innovation holds promise for improving 8 health care
Fall 2007 18 Spotlight THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES New Web Resource Aims to Improve Drinking Water Quality Worldwide National Academy of Sciences Ralph J. Cicerone, President Barbara A. Schaal, Vice President E. William Colglazier, Executive Officer contents Kenneth R. Fulton, Executive Director
National Academy of Engineering Craig R. Barrett, Chair 18 Charles M. Vest, President Maxine L. Savits, Vice President 20 Brief Takes Lance Davis, Executive Officer • Academies Expand Cooperation With Iranian Researchers Institute of Medicine Harvey V. Fineberg, President Clyde J. Behney, Interim Executive Officer
National Research Council Ralph J. Cicerone, Chair Charles M. Vest, Vice Chair E. William Colglazier, Executive Officer
20 • National Science, Technology Medals Awarded to Members • Contributing to International Capacity Building • IOM President, New Executive Officer Appointed
22 New Projects & Publications
In Focus is prepared by the Office of News and Public Information.
Executive Director: William Skane In Focus Editor: Valerie Chase Assistant Editor: Amanda Blyth Staff Writers: Sara Frueh, Paul Jackson, Bill Kearney, Maureen O’Leary, Christine Stencel, Jennifer Walsh Original Design: Francesca Moghari
THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES INFOCUS Our International Reach
Most of our studies focus on issues of importance to the U.S. and our federal and state governments. But, as highlighted in this issue of In Focus, the National Academies also undertake a wealth of activities and initiatives with positive impacts well beyond our own borders. More than a billion people in developing areas of Africa, Asia, and Latin America lack access to safe drinking water, a fundamen- tal requirement for human health. Our Marian Koshland Science Museum, working with the National Research Council and the
Global Health and Education Foundation, recently inaugurated a new Web resource FROM THE PRESIDENT called Safe Drinking Water Is Essential (see page 18). The Web site provides free informa- tion on sources of drinking water, contaminants, distribution problems, and treatment options directly to citizens and local officials. Since 2002, we have also provided free access to our journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in more than 140 developing nations. This year, an equally ambitious initiative by the National Academies Press to provide our reports and books free of charge to developing countries passed an exciting milestone. After four years of operation, more than a half million users have downloaded in excess of 600,000 publications (see page 21). And, as you will read on page 20, an Academies delegation that was led by former NAE President Bill Wulf and included Professor Joseph Taylor and NAS Foreign Secretary Michael Clegg recently returned from a visit to several cities and scientific institutions in Iran, continuing a program of scientific exchange and cooperation established in 1999. Our group was greeted enthusiastically, especially by young Iranian students. Next year we will continue this program with bilateral workshops and other cooperative efforts. This is just a sampling of our many international activities. As I write, Chinese and American experts on air pollution are sitting down in Beijing to consider “next steps” fol- lowing a recent joint study on lessons China can draw from the successes and failures of U.S. efforts to improve urban air quality. And in Senegal, the African Science Academy Development Initiative — funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and administered by the National Academies — has just completed its third international conference focused on building the ability of science academies in Africa to inform policymaking and public debate. We are committed to international engagement and cooperation because, first and fore- most, we believe it is important to the scientific enterprise. But we also believe scientists can and should play a leadership role in building “people-to-people” bridges between nations. It is a long-term effort by which we and our scientific peers around the world hope to foster international openness and collaboration.
RALPH J. CICERONE President, National Academy of Sciences
Fall 2007 Resou r ces E nv ir onment &
An Orphan River
o river has played Closer Care Needed wildlife and fish refuge in a more central role the lower 48 states. for Mississippi’s Nin American lit- Despite its significance, erature and history than the Water Quality however, the Mississippi is an Mississippi, the river that “orphan” in terms of efforts carried Huckleberry Finn’s raft and serves to monitor its water quality and reduce pol- as the symbolic dividing line between east lution, says a new report from the National and west. And the Mississippi’s economic Research Council that evaluates efforts and ecological importance continues to be to implement the Clean Water Act on the enormous. Tens of millions of people in Mississippi. Currently there is no single 10 states depend on it for drinking water system to monitor pollution levels along and recreation, and hundreds of millions of the river’s entire length, the report observes. tons of grain and other goods are shipped And though states on the Mississippi have along the waterway every year. The riv- assumed most authority for implement- ers of about 40 percent of the continental ing the Act, the resources they dedicate to United States drain into the Mississippi, monitoring the river vary widely, as do their which is also home to the longest river standards for water quality.
THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES INFOCUS This lack of coordination has made it difficult to address pollution problems in the river, some of which are significant, the report says. Although the Clean Water Act has successfully reduced direct discharges of pollution from industry and wastewater treatment plants, less-direct forms of con- tamination — for example, nutrients and sediments that enter the river and its tribu- taries through runoff — are still a problem in the Mississippi. High levels of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorous from fertilizers used on farm fields, are polluting the river itself and contributing to an oxygen-deficient Bay, the report notes, and it should draw “dead zone” in the northern Gulf of Mexico. upon that experience when stepping up its Sediments are a more complex challenge; efforts along the Mississippi. in the upper Mississippi they often are too States should take steps to improve their plentiful and considered a pollutant, while teamwork as well, the report says. In par- in the lower river, sediments are too scarce ticular, states along the lower Mississippi — a shortfall that is contributing to losses of should strive to create a cooperative orga- coastal wetlands in southern Louisiana. nization similar to one already in place for Addressing these and other water- states along the upper river. And the report quality problems will require the U.S. calls on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Environmental Protection Agency to take a to aggressively apply its conservation pro- stronger leadership role in implementing the grams in order to reduce polluted runoff Clean Water Act along the Mississippi and from agriculture. EPA should work with in the northern Gulf of Mexico, the report USDA to ensure that these programs are says. For example, EPA should take the lead targeted to areas where runoff of nutrients in establishing a single program to monitor and sediments is most severe. — Sara Frueh water quality in the entire Mississippi. In addition, the agency should develop water- Mississippi River Water Quality and the Clean Water -Act: Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities. Committee quality standards that protect the river and on the Mississippi River and the Clean Water Act, Water Gulf from excessive nutrient pollution. And Science and Technology Board, Division on Earth and Life EPA should develop what is known as a fed- Studies (2007, approx. 284 pp.; ISBN 0-309-11409-8; avail- able from the National Academies Press, tel. 1-800-624- eral Total Maximum Daily Load for these 6242; $56.00 plus $4.50 shipping for single copies; also on nutrient pollutants; this is a limit set on the the Internet at
Fall 2007 Minerals
Hot Commodities in a Global Economy
The energy crisis of the 1970s lthough metallic and nonmetal- lic minerals are essential parts prompted the U.S. government to keep A in Information Age devices such a better tally of the world supply of as laptops and cell phones, as well as in thousands of other everyday products, key energy resources, especially oil. neither the federal government nor indus- With energy prices again skyrocketing, try have an accurate grasp of how secure supplies of these minerals are, says a the government’s regularly updated new report from the National Research Council. This is despite the fact that the statistics on energy supply and demand same emerging economies that are driv- are as important as ever. However, ing up energy prices are also increasing competition for nonfuel minerals, many of there are several nonfuel mineral which are not available domestically. resources equally critical to the U.S. Foreign dependence and global competi- tion are not necessarily a cause for concern, economy and national security for but they do require that the United States be which such statistics are unavailable. more aware of minerals whose supply could be disrupted by political and economic risks, said the study committee, which devel- oped a matrix for assessing current mineral criticality. Platinum group metals, indium, manganese, niobium, and certain rare earth
THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES INFOCUS elements were all deemed highly critical, meaning there are few or no substitutes for their essential uses and that their supplies are potentially at risk. The committee only had time to assess a limited number of min- erals but said that government could use the matrix to make similar classifications which, in turn, should be used to guide a broader given current military scenarios have been data-collection effort. The U.S. Geological sold from the stockpile in recent years. Survey’s Minerals Information Team col- Still, growing world demand for miner- lects such data, but the quantity and level als and fragmented global supply chains of detail of its information has waned in mean threats to assuring an adequate recent years along with a decreasing budget. supply of materials for national defense The USGS team, or another federal entity, Hot Commodities in a remains. Instead of trying to improve the needs to be given resources, autonomy, current stockpile, the committee recom- and authority similar to that of the Energy Global Economy mended a whole new approach — not a Information Administration if the nation is new bureaucratic organizational structure, going to anticipate and attempt to mitigate but a total system approach that reflects restrictions in the minerals markets, the current geopolitics. Stocks may still be committee concluded. needed, but decisions about whether to A lack of data on mineral availability maintain them should be tied to well- also is impeding efforts by the Defense defined defense needs and assessments of Department to anticipate what materials risks to supply. — Bill Kearney it needs on hand for a national emergency, says a second Research Council report by Minerals, Critical Minerals, and the U.S. Economy. -Committee on Critical Mineral Impacts on the U.S. a committee that examined the necessity Economy, Committee on Earth Resources, Board on Earth of the National Defense Stockpile. The Sciences and Resources, Division on Earth and Life Studies stockpile, established just prior to World (2007, approx. 216 pp., ISBN 0-309-11282-6). The commit- tee was chaired by Roderick G. Eggert, professor and War II, has not kept pace with changes in director, division of economics and business, Colorado the global marketplace or modern military School of Mines, Golden. The study was funded by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Mining Association. needs, the committee found, leading it to Managing Materials for a 21st Century Military. deem the materials stockpile “ineffective.” -Committee on Assessing the Need for a Defense The stockpile is required by law to hold Stockpile, National Materials Advisory Board, Division strategic and critical materials — 28 at on Engineering and Physical Sciences (2007, approx. 124 pp., ISBN 0-309-11257-5). The committee was chaired last count — to preclude a dependence on by Robert H. Latiff, vice president and chief engineer foreign sources in event of war or other and technology officer, space and geospatial intelligence business unit, Science Applications International Corp., national emergency. But there is a discon- Chantilly, Va. The study was funded by the Defense nect between what’s stored and what the National Stockpile Center of the Defense Logistics military is likely to actually need, the Agency, U.S. Department of Defense. Both reports are available from the National committee said. In fact, billions of dollars Academies Press, tel. 1-800-624-6242; also on the Internet worth of materials considered unnecessary at
Fall 2007 Treating health & health Body and Mind Cancer Care for the SOC I AL I SSUES
Whole Patient
linicians and patients would agree that the psychological and social Ctolls of cancer and its treatments can undermine the gains made in ridding the body of the disease, and that someone should address these effects. Trained to focus on the body, many cancer care pro- viders have assumed that this responsibility rests elsewhere. But a new report from the Institute of Medicine puts the job squarely on the cancer care provider’s examining room doorstep. The report proposes a new standard of care under which all oncology care provid- Ask cancer patients about the worst ers would systematically screen patients for debilitating stress and other problems; parts of their treatment and they connect patients with health care or service probably will cite physical effects such providers who have resources to address these issues and coordinate care with these as nausea and pain, but they also professionals; and periodically re-evalu- may mention anxiety or depression, ate patients to determine if any changes in care are needed. It’s a standard that would strains on their relationships, loss of apply equally well to the management of motivation or the ability to keep up on other chronic diseases. “Eradicating tumors is important, but the job, the financial hit to their savings, it’s not enough,” said Nancy E. Adler, chair of the committee that wrote the report. and any number of other mental, “This report provides an action plan for emotional, and social impacts. ensuring that every patient’s oncology team identifies and coordinates the additional psychosocial health services that a patient requires to be as healthy and whole as pos- sible during and after cancer treatment.”
THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES INFOCUS Psychosocial health range of services through care addresses the emo- national foundations, tional challenges that nonprofit organizations, can accompany a serious online support communi- illness as well as the life ties, educational telephone challenges that can get in workshops, and many the way of good health other resources. care. Cancer care provid- Managing patients’ psy- ers do not typically have chological and social well- the knowledge and skills being will require some to treat depression, teach oncology providers to anger management, or change how they supply otherwise handle every care, but the good news psychosocial health need. is that many health insur- But elsewhere a wealth ance plans already reim- of resources already burse much of this care. exists, many at low or no cost; cancer care Health insurance purchasers and health providers could easily make connecting plans should examine the adequacy of their patients to these resources a routine part reimbursement rates for the delivery of psy- of care, the report says. chosocial health care, the report urges. Several leading cancer care providers Of course, cancer care providers can have taken this more comprehensive tack. only partially resolve some problems such Some providers with more resources inte- as limited finances or lack of health cover- grate psychosocial health services with age among patients, and currently there are the patient’s cancer care in one setting. not enough resources to meet the needs of Psychologists, social workers, and other all patients. But these realities should not service providers on staff work with the preclude oncology practices from attempt- oncology team to screen patients for prob- ing to remedy as many psychosocial prob- lems and ensure that their needs are man- lems as possible, the committee stated. aged. This “on-site” approach requires sub- — Christine Stencel stantial resources that not all cancer care Cancer Care for the Whole Patient: Meeting practices have. But smaller practices can -Psychosocial Health Needs. Committee on Psychosocial also provide comprehensive care by tapping Services to Cancer Patients and Families in a Community Setting, Board on Health Care Services, Institute of psychosocial service providers throughout Medicine (2007, approx. 460 pp.; ISBN 0-309-11107-2; their communities via referral agreements available from the National Academies Press, tel. 1-800- and partnerships. 624-6242; $46.95 plus $4.50 shipping for single copies; also on the Internet at
Fall 2007 The Nuclear Medicine Renaissance
Innovation Holds doses of radiation to tumor cells in the hope of eradicating them. Nuclear imag- Promise for Improving ing devices work by tracking radioactive Health Care chemicals that are swallowed, inhaled, or injected into the body. One common imag- roundbreaking research over the ing tool is positron emission tomography last few years has opened the door (PET), which detects cancer sites anywhere Gfor doctors to tailor individualized in the body. PET is growing faster than any treatment to a person’s genetic profile, an other imaging procedure and has proved approach known as personalized medi- less traumatic to patients who would oth- cine. As this fledgling field grows, a key to erwise require surgery or a biopsy to deter- unlocking its full potential may lie in a dis- mine a malignancy. cipline that has existed 50 years. It’s called Although nuclear medicine is routinely nuclear medicine and uses imaging devices used in certain areas of medical treatment, and radioactive biochemical compounds to its promise is only beginning to emerge in diagnose and treat diseases. others, like neuroscience, drug develop- Nearly 20 million nuclear medicine pro- ment, and preventive health care. cedures are carried out each year in the “We are living during a period of rapid United States to diagnose cancers, cardio- advances in the unraveling of the mecha- vascular diseases, and certain neurological nisms that underlie many diseases such disorders — as well as to treat several can- as cancer,” said Hedvig Hricak, chair of cers, like breast and thyroid, by delivering a committee that wrote a new National
10 THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES INFOCUS Academies report on the “If cuts in funding for subject. “Nuclear medicine basic nuclear medicine provides some of the most research are not reversed, essential tools for the prog- progress in personalized ress of this research.” medicine will slow down An area with prospects dramatically. There is for growth is the diagnosis an especially great need of neurological disorders, for commitment to core including addictions, eating research in chemistry, disorders, and depression. which underlies many Nuclear imaging devices could be used to advances emerging in nuclear medicine assess a patient’s brain functions and detect that could facilitate progress in personal- biochemical changes, thus revealing links ized medicine,” Hricak said. between brain chemistry and behavior. To add to the financial crunch, there is They could also visually track the uptake an inadequate domestic supply of medical of drugs in a patient, which could help sci- radionuclides for research. The lack of a entists better understand the mechanisms dedicated domestic accelerator and reac- by which new drugs are absorbed and take tor facilities for year-round, uninterrupted effect in the body. production of medical radionuclides dis- More innovations are also budding for courages development and innovation in cancer treatments, such as targeted radio- nuclear medicine. nuclide therapy. Unlike external radia- Moreover, there is a critical shortage tion therapy — which kills cancer cells by of personnel in all nuclear medicine disci- beaming high-energy X-rays to the identifi- plines, with an impending generation gap able main tumor — targeted radionuclide of leadership in the field. For a “renais- therapy functions more like chemotherapy. sance” in nuclear medicine to occur that It delivers toxic levels of radiation not only could potentially improve health care, the to primary disease sites but also to adjacent report emphasizes that these challenges tumor cells, consequently eliminating both need to be addressed. — Jennifer Walsh the principal tumor and cancer that may Advancing Nuclear Medicine Through Innovation. have spread elsewhere, including otherwise -Committee on State of the Science of Nuclear Medicine; undetectable malignant cells. Nuclear and Radiation Studies Board, Division of Earth and Life Studies, and Board on Health Sciences Policy, Institute Yet through this glint of promise, more of Medicine (2007, 176 pp.; ISBN 0-309-11067-X; available challenges lie ahead. Funding for nuclear from the National Academies Press, tel. 1-800-624-6242; medicine has dropped considerably in $48.00 plus $4.50 shipping for single copies; also on the Internet at
Fall 2007 11 P OL I C Y
Resea r ch & To Secure Both Nation and Scientific Freedom
Striking a Balance
n the years since 2001, federal needed. But if extreme measures are enact- agencies have become more vigilant ed that curtail the flow of information Iabout the scientists and students they or the movement of skilled people, these allow into the country, the technolo- restrictions could significantly hinder the gies they allow out of it, and the type of nation’s scientific and technology enter- research they permit to be published. The prise. This interference could in turn slow fear is that terrorists or rogue nations the development of tools needed to defend will take some of the country’s greatest against terrorism — technologies to better strengths — its scientific and technologi- detect radioactive materials, for example, cal tools and knowledge — and use them or vaccines to protect against biological to launch future attacks on the U.S. and or chemical agents — and undermine the other nations. nation’s long-term economic strength. Concerns about certain types of research As part of its study, the Research Council falling into the wrong hands are legiti- held a series of regional meetings on uni- mate, says a new report from the National versity campuses to hear from the scientific Research Council, and safeguards are and national security communities. The
12 THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES INFOCUS report that emerged recommends a more observed that initially there were some over- enduring partnership to make sure that ly restrictive reviews of student visas and both security and research interests are travel, but the situation seems to be improv- protected. It calls on the federal govern- ing. Foreign-born students and scientists ment to establish a standing commission are an integral element of the U.S. research — one that includes representatives of enterprise, accounting for more than half both communities — to review policies on of graduate students and postdocs in some the exchange of scientific information and fields. Universities and the U.S. government the participation of foreign-born scientists should continue to welcome talented stu- and students in research. dents and scholars from around the world, One task the commission should per- the report says. In addition, Congress should form is ensuring that National Security consider creating a new nonimmigrant visa Decision Directive 189 stays in force. Put category for doctoral-level graduate students in place over 20 years ago, the directive and postdoctoral scholars. says that basic research should be open to The free flow of equipment and tech- publication and to participation by for- nologies needs to be protected as well, the eign scientists. Many government policies report says. Export controls are designed and practices in recent years have effec- to keep advanced technologies from being tively reversed this directive, the report shipped to people or countries that might says. For example, when federal agencies misuse them. But many items restricted and corporations award research grants or by the current list are outdated or already contracts to universities, they sometimes widely available in other countries. These include clauses that prevent the publica- lists should be reviewed regularly to make tion of research or the participation of sure that items in wide use are not being foreign scientists or students. And partici- needlessly restricted. pants at the regional meetings expressed — Sara Frueh & Molly Galvin concern that research was increasingly — Science and Security in a Post 9/11 World: A and inconsistently — being categorized by -Report Based on Regional Discussions Between the federal agencies as “sensitive but unclas- Science and Security Communities. Committee on a New Government-University Partnership for Science sified” and therefore restricted. Research and Security, Committee on Science, Technology, and considered too risky for publication by Law, Division on Policy and Global Affairs (2007, 138 one agency is sometimes seen as accept- pp.; ISBN 0-309-11191-9; available from the National Academies Press, tel. 1-800-624-6242; $30.75 plus $4.50 able by another. The report calls for an shipping for single copies; also on the Internet at annual survey to examine how frequently
Fall 2007 13 Combating Climate Change
hen the U.S. Climate How Far Have like political institutions and Change Science We Come? economies. In addition, syn- W Program (CCSP) was thesizing and sharing new established in 2002, the goal was to effi- knowledge to help policymakers make ciently coordinate climate change research decisions on mitigation and adaptation across all federal agencies. Several years strategies has been slow. For instance, after the program’s formation, its former although CCSP’s temperature trends assess- director asked the National Research ment was influential in this year’s report Council to develop a process for reviewing by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate the entire program and to assess its strengths Change, 19 other synthesis and assessment and weaknesses. The report, CCSP’s first products that were scheduled for release by review since being established, reveals that now are still in production. the program has made some progress, but in A major hurdle has been CCSP’s lack certain areas, more work remains. of authority to allocate or prioritize fund- On the plus side, the program has clari- ing across participating agencies. Likewise, fied understanding of how and why climate many of the members of CCSP’s interagency is changing, especially at the global scale. working groups have little budgetary author- Furthermore, scientists have improved their ity to implement the program’s research ability to predict future climate changes. Part agenda. As a result, progress tends to occur of these successes is attributed to satellite only when the priorities of the 13 participat- and in situ observing systems, which have ing agencies coincide with CCSP’s goals. collected a substantial amount of data that This report was the first stage of a two- has provided a baseline of climate trends. stage evaluation process recommended by However, cancellation and delays of the study committee. The second stage, several planned satellite missions are the which will need to be completed by CCSP, single greatest threat to any future progress will diagnose the reasons for weaknesses of CCSP, the report says. The degradation and identify strategies for improving the of observing capability could impact the program. — Jennifer Walsh ability to understand how climate change Evaluating Progress of the U.S. Climate Change affects local communities and regions. -Science Program: Methods and Preliminary Results. Better observations, more accurate models, Committee on Strategic Advice on the U.S. Climate Change Science Program, Division on Earth and Life and the development of impact scenarios Studies and Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and are needed to improve regional predictions. Education (2007, 174 pp.; ISBN 0-309-10826-8; available Although research on the natural climate from the National Academies Press, tel. 1-800-624-6242; $38.25 plus $4.50 shipping for single copies; also on the system has advanced, CCSP has made Internet at
14 THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES INFOCUS y
Life technolog in the eng i nee ri ng & Universe
Broadening the Search for Extraterrestrial Life
“No discovery that we can make in our o explore possible variations on how life could operate in the uni- exploration of the solar system would T verse, the committee that wrote the have greater impact on our view of our report investigated what is known about the limits for life on Earth, as they may position in the cosmos, or be more help define the limits for life elsewhere. inspiring, than the discovery of an alien Life can be found virtually everywhere on Earth when water and energy are both life form,” declares a recent National present, and the committee found that extreme conditions of water and tempera- Research Council report. But what if in ture are the only situations that appear to our search we weren’t able to recognize limit or prevent the growth of organisms. Even if alien life forms differ radically alien life because we didn’t know what from life on Earth, they may be confined we were looking at? Could alien life be by these same factors. Other conditions taken to extremes, including pH, pressure, entirely dissimilar to life on Earth? radiation, and toxic metals, restrict the existence of many organisms, but as the discovery of a variety of microbes over the last few decades has revealed, certain
Fall 2007 15 organisms have the capacity to adapt to conditions, other liquids such as ammonia seemingly inhospitable conditions. The or formamide could serve the same role as bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans can water does in biochemical reactions. even survive radiation levels unknown in Summing up the report’s chief findings, Earth’s current natural environment. committee chair John Baross said, “Our The committee reviewed the basic investigation made clear that life is pos- requirements for terrestrial life and found sible in forms quite different than those on several possible alternative biochemistries. Earth. Advances throughout the last decade For instance, DNA on Earth is composed in biology and biochemistry show that the of four particular chemical compounds basic requirements for life might not be as called nucleotides, but lab experiments concrete as we thought.” have shown that six or more nucleotides The findings of the report have obvi- could be bound together in a structure ous ramifications for the future search for alien life. NASA has so far focused on finding evidence of past or present water, but with the report’s more comprehensive consideration of life, the search criteria should be broader, particularly to embrace the possibility that organisms might thrive with little or no water. Additionally, further research is needed in the area of life detec- tion systems. NASA should also consider exploring areas of the solar system that might support alternative biochemistries earlier than currently planned, such as Saturn’s moon Titan. “Nothing would be that can encode genetic material and more tragic in the American exploration of may support Darwinian evolution, a key space than to encounter alien life without requirement to life. The report notes that recognizing it,” the report emphasized. organisms with such DNA would not — Paul Jackson be perceived by standard detection sys- The Limits of Organic Life in Planetary Systems. tems designed to spot genetic material. -Committee on the Limits of Organic Life in Planetary Additional evidence also suggests that Systems, Committee on the Origins and Evolution of Life, Space Studies Board, Division on Engineering and Physical proteins, an essential constituent of all Sciences, and Board on Life Sciences, Division on Earth cells, need not be limited to the form they and Life Studies (2007, 116 pp.; ISBN 0-309-10484-X; avail- take on Earth. able from the National Academies Press, tel. 1-800-624- 6242; $30.25 plus $4.50 shipping for single copies; also on Research also indicates that water might the Internet at
16 THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES INFOCUS 50 Years in the Sky ifty years ago scientists from doz- A Satellite ens of countries embarked on Success FInternational Geophysical Year research expeditions to collect and share Story data on various planetary phenomena. But it was the Soviet Union’s launch of Sputnik that would forever change the way scientists provided an important record of global observe the planet. Even then, researchers ocean and air temperatures, and led to new knew that no matter how far they ventured revelations of ice sheet flow. And it was on ground or by sea, they could never only because of frequent satellite coverage achieve the observational vantage point that that the world was able to watch 2,000 satellites were sure to provide. square kilometers of an Antarctic ice shelf Indeed, the ability for humanity to see disintegrate in just two days during 2002. Earth from space was akin to looking at The report highlights many other sci- oneself in the mirror for the first time, entific triumphs made possible by these notes a new National Research Council eyes in the sky, and how society took report that catalogs many of the scientific advantage of them. Satellites confirmed the achievements — and corresponding benefits extent of ozone depletion above the poles, to society — made possible by the first five for instance, which led to the Montreal decades of the satellite age. Protocol banning ozone-destroying chemi- The scientific accomplishment probably cals. Images of land-cover changes allowed most appreciated by the general public is for the establishment of the Famine Early the ability to watch the weather in motion. Warning Systems Network. Satellites also These weather movies are made possible allow geographical positions to be pin- by “geostationary” satellites that stay over pointed with centimeter accuracy, making the same point on the equator, taking fre- GPS a part of everyday life. quent images from the same vantage point. The report also echoes concerns raised Geostationary satellites were first launched in earlier Research Council studies that in the 1960s, and since then, no hurricane current delays and cancellations in U.S. anywhere in the world has gone undetected. satellite missions are a setback for science. Satellites also have been invaluable to — Bill Kearney climate science. The radiometer aboard Earth Observations From Space: The First 50 Years Explorer 7, a U.S. satellite in orbit from -of Scientific Achievements. Committee on Scientific Accomplishments of Earth Observations From Space, 1959-1961, provided the first direct mea- Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, Division on surements of energy entering and leaving Earth and Life Studies (2007, approx. 200 pp.; ISBN 0-309- Earth. As satellite radiometers improved, 11095-5; available from the National Academies Press, tel. 1- 800-624-6242; $44.50 plus $4.50 shipping for single copies; fluctuations in this energy “budget” could also on the Internet at
Fall 2007 17 SPOTLI G HT
New Web Resource Aims to Improve Drinking Water Quality Worldwide
ore than 1 billion provide decision makers people — mainly with easily accessible, Mliving in Africa, peer-reviewed scientific Asia, Latin America, and and technical informa- other parts of the develop- tion about the options ing world — lack access available to enhance the to safe drinking water, safety and availability of a fundamental need for drinking water supplies. human health. As much as “Americans lose sight 80 percent of the world’s of how precious safe deadliest diseases are drinking water is,” said caused by unsafe drinking NAS President Ralph water and poor sanitation. J. Cicerone at a public Contaminated drinking briefing to launch the water is also far more than new Web resource. “The a public health problem. fact that there is so much The devastating effects unsafe drinking water negatively impact everything from economic is a critical problem facing most parts of development to educational attainment in the world now. The world’s scientists have those countries most affected by inadequate been working on and are very committed or unsafe drinking water supplies. to addressing this problem. [This tool] can To take action on this pressing problem, be used by people working in all nations to the National Academy of Sciences and the analyze and find solutions for the treatment Global Health and Education Foundation and distribution of water locally with their joined together with science, engineering, own conditions,” he explained. and medical academies around the world “We’ve seen the misery in the world to launch Safe Drinking Water Is Essential that’s caused by bad water,” added — a new online resource designed to Kenneth Behring, founder of the Global
18 THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES INFOCUS Health and Education Foundation, which provided funding for Safe Drinking Water Is Essential. “When you go to these coun- tries and see the water that people drink, they don’t have the background or educa- tion to even know that it causes disabilities. [With this Web Resource,] we put together an information center that can be expanded for people who want to know more about how to get water that’s pure.” Safe Drinking Water Is Essential — located at
Fall 2007 19 k es ta
Academies Expand endorsed by the U.S. Department of State and by the Office of Foreign Assets Cooperation With Iranian Control of the U.S. Department of Treasury. b rie f Financial support was provided by the Researchers National Academies and the Richard Lounsbery Foundation. — William Skane In October, Sharif University of Technology, in cooperation with the Iranian Academy of Sciences, hosted visits in several Iranian cities for a delegation National Science, from the National Academy of Sciences Technology Medals and National Academy of Engineering. Following conversations with senior Awarded to Members Iranian officials and scientific leaders, the U.S. National Academies announced plans At a White House ceremony in July, to expand their program of scientific coop- President George W. Bush presented the eration with Iranian institutions. Important 2005 and 2006 National Medal of Science activities have been supported by scien- and National Medal of Technology to 30 tific institutions in both countries, despite recipients, many of whom are members of continuing U.S.-Iranian the National Academy of Sciences, National political differences that Academy of Engineering, or Institute of complicate bilateral sci- Medicine. The National Medal of Science entific cooperation. honors individuals for pioneering research in Former NAE President fields such as physical, biological, mathemat- Wm. A. Wulf, who led ical, social, behavioral, and engineering sci- the U.S. Academies’ ences. The National Medical of Technology team, hailed this “his- is given to individuals, teams, and companies toric opportunity to con- for their outstanding contributions to the tinue our work with Iranian colleagues on nation’s economic, environmental, and social problems of global importance that will not well-being through technology. only advance international science and engi- Members who received science med- neering, but also build trust and respect for als were Hyman Bass (NAS), Marvin H. one another throughout our societies.” Caruthers (NAS), Rita R. Colwell (NAS), Iranian participants enthusiastically wel- Peter B. Dervan (NAS/IOM), Nina V. comed plans for expanded cooperation. A Fedoroff (NAS), Daniel Kleppner (NAS), bilateral workshop — the ninth in a series Robert S. Langer (NAS/NAE/IOM), and that began in 2000 — will focus on reducing Lubert Stryer (NAS) for 2006; and for earthquake damage. It will be held in Iran in 2005, Jan D. Achenbach (NAS/NAE), early 2008 on the topic of adobe and unre- Gordon H. Bower (NAS), Bradley Efron inforced masonry structures. Also in 2008, (NAS), Anthony S. Fauci (NAS/IOM), Tobin an exchange of science policy specialists will J. Marks (NAS), Lonnie G. Thompson begin between the National Academies and (NAS), and Torsten N. Wiesel (NAS/IOM). Sharif University with special an emphasis Technology medals were awarded to on young professionals. These and other members Alfred Y. Cho (NAS/NAE), projects that emerged from discussions on Leslie A. Geddes (NAE), Paul G. Kaminski topics of mutual interest are part of a pro- (NAE), Herwig W. Kogelnik (NAS/NAE), gram of scientific outreach and cooperation Charles M. Vest (NAE), and James E. West that began in 1999 and has been consistently (NAE). — Maureen O’Leary
20 THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES INFOCUS Contributing to International IOM President, New Capacity Building Executive Officer
The reach and relevance of the work done by Appointed the National Academies frequently extends beyond our nation’s borders, providing Harvey V. Fineberg has been appointed to advice that is as valuable in Uzbekistan, a second six-year term as president of the Nepal, and Argentina as it is here at home. Institute of Medicine to begin July 1, 2008. To facilitate the availability of National In announcing Fineberg’s appointment to Academies reports, the National Academies a second term, NAS President Ralph J. Press — publishers for the Academies — pro- Cicerone said, “Harvey Fineberg’s dynamic vides free access to its complete catalog of and purposeful leadership has positioned the publications to readers in developing coun- IOM to make progressively tries. This program, launched in June 2003, greater impacts on the U.S. serves up free PDF files in almost 150 coun- medical care system as well tries. Over the course of four years, roughly as the health of individual 577,800 users have downloaded more than Americans. IOM’s strong 632,000 files. focus on improving health In many developing countries, resources here and around the world are scarce and high-quality books are often has made it a recognized difficult or expensive to obtain. Free Web- authority among health based materials can be invaluable sources policy leaders in both the of information. It is nevertheless rare to public and private sectors.” find whole collections of authoritative Appointed as the new reports freely available. A reader in Pakistan executive officer of the recently wrote to the Academies saying, “I Institute of Medicine, Judith am stunned to see such a great collection A. Salerno will begin manag- of books all at one place on cutting-edge ing operations for IOM and issues faced by the students, researchers, and supporting its governance designers of the 21st century. Hats off to the and membership activities people who made this possible.” in January 2008. Salerno Both searchable and shareable, the PDF comes to IOM from the files are most frequently downloaded in National Institute on Aging, India, Iran, and China, with Brazil, Uruguay, where she serves as deputy and Mexico close behind. Indonesia, the director and, together with Philippines, South Africa, and Egypt round NIA’s director, oversees all aspects of a health out the top 10 consumers of the free reports. research, training, and public education pro- Individual users range from working scien- gram with an annual budget of more than $1 tists, researchers, and students to professors, billion. She is senior geriatrician and serves policymakers, and community leaders. on numerous national committees concerned At a time when the world increas- with the quality of long-term care and with ingly turns to the scientific disciplines to geriatric work force and veterans’ health care solve problems and answer questions, issues. She has also served on several man- the National Academies’ PDF program agement committees and played key roles is enabling immediate access to massive in NIH activities such as bioethics train- amounts of credible advice to readers ing strategic planning for obesity research. around the globe. — Ann Merchant — William Skane & Christine Stencel
Fall 2007 21 Susan Martel. Chair: Charles H. The National Plant Genome Projects Hobbs, director, toxicology divi- Initiative: Achievements and Future sion, Lovelace Respiratory Research Directions. The following projects have been Institute; vice president, Lovelace Board on Agriculture and Natural recently undertaken by units of the Biomedical and Environmental Resources and Board on Life & pro j ects & National Academies. The latest Research Institute; and clinical pro- Sciences, Division on Earth and
p ub lications information about all current com- fessor, University of New Mexico Life Studies. Project director: mittee activities — including project College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque. Evonne P.Y. Tang. Chair: Jeff L. descriptions, committee rosters, and Sponsor: U.S. Air Force. Dangl, John N. Couch Professor, meeting information — is avail- University of North Carolina, ne w able in “Current Projects” on the Dietary Supplement Use by Chapel Hill. Sponsor: Interagency National Academies’ Web site. Military Personnel. Working Group on Plant Genomes. Food and Nutrition Board, Assessing the Current and Future Institute of Medicine. Project New Opportunities in Solar System Workforce Needs in Veterinary director: Maria Ortiz. Chair: Exploration: An Evaluation of the Medicine. M.R.C. Greenwood, professor of New Frontiers Announcement of Board on Agriculture and Natural nutrition and internal medicine, Opportunity. Resources, Division on Earth and University of California, Santa Space Studies Board, Division on Life Studies; and Board on Higher Cruz. Sponsors: U.S. Department Engineering and Physical Sciences. Education and Workforce, Division of Defense, Samueli Institute, and Project director: Dwayne Day. on Policy and Global Affairs. the National Institutes of Health. Co-chairs: Reta Beebe, profes- Project director: Jim Voytuk. sor, astronomy department, New Chair: Alan M. Kelly, professor of Early Childhood Mathematics. Mexico State University, Las pathology and dean emeritus of Center for Education, Division Cruces; and Warren Buck, adjunct the School of Veterinary Medicine, of Behavioral and Social Sciences professor of physics, and former University of Pennsylvania, and Education. Project direc- chancellor at the University of Philadelphia. Sponsors: Association tor: Taniesha Woods. Chair: Washington, Bothell. Sponsor: of American Veterinary Medical Christopher T. Cross, chairman, NASA. Colleges, American Veterinary Cross & Joftus LLC, Danville, Medical Association, Bayer Animal Calif. Sponsors: U.S. Department Sustaining Growth in Computing Health, Burroughs Wellcome Fund, of Health and Human Services, Performance. and American Animal Hospital Ewing Marion Kauffman Computer Science and Association. Foundation, National Institute Telecommunications Board, of Child Health and Human Division on Engineering and Assessment of Technologies for Development, and the National Physical Sciences. Project director: Improving Light-Duty Vehicle Fuel Research Council. Lynette Millett. Chair: Samuel H. Economy. Fuller, vice president of research Board on Energy and Identification of Research Needs and development, Analog Devices Environmental Systems, Division Relating to Potential Biological or Inc., Norwood, Mass. Sponsor: on Engineering and Physical Adverse Health Effects of Wireless National Science Foundation. Sciences. Project director: John Communications Devices. Holmes. Chair: Trevor O. Jones, Nuclear and Radiation Studies chairman and chief executive Board, Division on Earth and officer, ElectroSonics Medical Life Studies. Project director: Inc., Cleveland. Sponsor: U.S. Rick Jostes. Chair: Frank S. Department of Transportation. Barnes, Distinguished Professor, department of electrical and com- Beryllium Alloy Exposures in puter engineering, University of Military Aerospace Applications. Colorado, Boulder. Sponsors: U.S. Board on Environmental Studies Department of Health and Human and Toxicology, Division on Earth Services and U.S. Food and Drug and Life Studies. Project director: Administration.
22 THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES INFOCUS Biosocial Surveys Education, Division of Behavioral Publications Committee on Population, Division and Social Sciences and Education of Behavioral and Social Sciences (2007, 88 pp.; ISBN 0-309-11111- For documents shown as available and Education (2007, approx. 456 0; available from NAP). from the National Academies Press pp.; ISBN 0-309-10867-5; available (NAP), write to 500 Fifth St., N.W., from NAP). Energy Futures and Urban Air Lockbox 285, Washington, D.C. Pollution: Challenges for China and 20055; tel. 202-334-3313 or 1-800- Building the Road Safety Profession the United States 624-6242; or order on the Internet in the Public Sector: TRB Special National Academy of Engineering at
Fall 2007 23 India’s Changing Innovation Parole, Desistance From Crime, A Research Agenda for Geographic System: Achievements, Challenges, and Community Integration Information Science at the United and Opportunities for Cooperation Committee on Law and Justice, States Geological Survey — Report of a Symposium Division of Behavioral and Social Board on Earth Sciences and Board on Science, Technology, Sciences and Education (2007, 114 Resources, Division on Earth and Economic Policy, Division on pp.; ISBN 0-309-11081-5; avail- and Life Studies (2007, 156 pp.; Policy and Global Affairs (2007, able from NAP). ISBN 0-309-11154-4; available 224 pp.; ISBN 0-309-10483-1; from NAP). available from NAP). Plans and Practices for Groundwater Protection at the Los Research and Networks for Informing the Future: Critical Alamos National Laboratory: Final Decision Support in the NOAA Issues in Health, Fourth Edition Report Sectoral Applications Research Institute of Medicine (2007, Nuclear and Radiation Studies Program 120 pp.; available only online Board, Division on Earth and Life Committee on the Human from NAP). Studies (2007, 104 pp.; ISBN 0- Dimensions of Global Change, 309-10619-2; available from NAP). Division of Behavioral and Social International Benchmarking Sciences and Education (2007, 98 of U.S. Chemical Engineering Preparing for an Influenza pp.; ISBN 0-309-11202-8; avail- Research Competitiveness Pandemic: Personal Protective able from NAP). Board on Chemical Sciences and Equipment for Healthcare Workers Technology, Division on Earth Board on Health Sciences Policy, Review of Chemical Agent and Life Studies (2007, 246 pp.; Institute of Medicine (2007, 206 Secondary Waste Disposal and ISBN 0-309-10537-4; available pp.; ISBN 0-309-11046-7; avail- Regulatory Requirements from NAP). able from NAP). Board on Army Science and Technology, Division on Is America Falling Off the Flat Protecting Building Occupants Engineering and Physical Sciences Earth? and Operations from Biological (2007, 92 pp.; ISBN 0-309-10610- Committee on Science, and Chemical Airborne Threats: A 9; available from NAP). Engineering, and Public Policy, Framework for Decision Making National Academy of Sciences, Board on Chemical Sciences and Review of the DOD-GEIS National Academy of Engineering, Technology and Board on Life Influenza Programs: Strengthening and Institute of Medicine (2007, Sciences, Division on Earth and Life Global Surveillance and Response 92 pp.; available only online Studies (2007, 152 pp.; ISBN 0- Board on Global Health, Institute from NAP). 309-10955-8; available from NAP). of Medicine (2007, 248 pp.; ISBN 0-309-11010-6; available NASA’s Beyond Einstein Recognition and Alleviation of from NAP). Program: An Architecture for Distress in Laboratory Animals Implementation Institute for Laboratory Animal A Review of the Final Ocean Space Studies Board and Board on Research, Division on Earth and Research Priorities Plan and Physics and Astronomy, Division Life Studies (2007, 208 pp.; Implementation Strategy on Engineering and Physical ISBN 0-309-10817-9; available Ocean Studies Board, Division on Sciences (2007, approx. 220 pp.; from NAP). Earth and Life Studies (2007, 148 ISBN 0-309-11162-5; available pp.; ISBN 0-309-11063-7; avail- from NAP). Reducing Construction Costs: able from NAP). Uses of Best Dispute Resolution Options to Ensure the Climate Practices by Project Owners The Role of Theory in Advancing Record from the NPOESS — Proceedings Report 21st Century Biology: Catalyzing and GOES-R Spacecraft — A Federal Facilities Council, Board Transformative Research Workshop Report on Infrastructure and Board on Life Sciences, Division Space Studies Board, Division the Constructed Environment, on Earth and Life Studies (2007, on Engineering and Physical Division on Engineering and approx. 234 pp.; ISBN 0-309- Sciences (2007, approx. 88 pp.; Physical Sciences (2007, 68 pp.; 11249-4; available from NAP). ISBN 0-309-11276-1; available ISBN 0-309-10327-4; available from NAP). from NAP).
24 THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES INFOCUS Sediment Dredging at Superfund Strategic Management of Understanding the Benefits and Megasites: Assessing the Information and Communication Risks of Pharmaceuticals — Effectiveness Technology: The United States Air Workshop Summary Board on Environmental Studies Force Experience With Y2K Board on Health Sciences Policy, and Toxicology, Division on Earth Division on Policy and Global Institute of Medicine (2007, 98 and Life Studies (2007, 316 pp.; Affairs; and Computer Science pp.; ISBN 0-309-10738-5; available ISBN 0-309-10977-9; available and Telecommunications Board, from NAP). from NAP). Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences (2007, 142 pp.; Understanding Interventions That Social Security Administration ISBN 0-309-11128-5; available Encourage Minorities to Pursue Electronic Service Provision: A from NAP). Research Careers — Summary of Strategic Assessment a Workshop Computer Science and Strategy for an Army Center for Board on Life Sciences, Division on Telecommunications Board, Network Science, Technology, and Earth and Life Studies (2007, 100 Division on Engineering and Experimentation pp.; ISBN 0-309-11226-5; available Physical Sciences (2007, 174 pp.; Board on Army Science and from NAP). ISBN 0-309-10393-2; available Technology, Division on Engineering from NAP). and Physical Sciences (2007, 98 Veterans and Agent Orange: Update pp.; ISBN 0-309-10696-6; available 2006 The nation turns to the National Academy of Software for Dependable Systems: from NAP). Board on Population Health and Sufficient Evidence? Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute Credits: Public Health Practices, Institute Computer Science and Summary of a Workshop for of Medicine, and National Research Council for Cover: (clockwise from upper left) Technicians in a genetics research of Medicine (2007, approx. 900 laboratory, ©Bill Gallery-Doctor Stock/Science Faction/Getty Telecommunications Board, Software-Intensive Systems and pp.; ISBN 0-309-10708-3; available independent, objective advice on issues that affect Images; paddle wheel of the American Queen on the Mississippi Division on Engineering and Uncertainty at Scale River, ©Buddy Mays/Corbis; artist’s concept of fledgling solar from NAP). people’s lives worldwide. Additional information system observed by NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope containing Physical Sciences (2007, 148 pp.; Computer Science and about the National Academies and their work can enough water vapor to fill Earth’s oceans five times, courtesy ISBN 0-309-10394-0; available Telecommunications Board, Water Implications of Biofuels NASA/JPL-Caltech from NAP). Division on Engineering and be found online at
What types of instructional experiences help K-8 students learn science with understanding? What do science educators and specialists, teacher leaders, professional development staff, curriculum designers, NATIONAL ACADEMY OF NATIONAL SCIENCES ACADEMY OF NATIONAL ENGINEERING INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE RESEARCH COUNCIL NATIONAL and school administrators need to know to create and support such experiences? INFOCUS infocusmagazine.org Ready, Set, SCIENCE! summarizes a rich body of research to help teachers and science practitioners make sense of new findings and their implications for classroom practice. This useful and accessible book — based on the National Research Council’s report Taking Science to School: Learning and Teaching Science in Grades K-8 — explains the most effective methods to help students achieve science proficiency. Filled with case studies that demonstrate a wide range of practical applications of research findings, Ready, Set, SCIENCE! describes how teachers select and design rigorous and engaging instructional tasks, manage classrooms, orchestrate productive discussions with diverse groups of stu- dents, and help students visualize using a variety of representational tools. Ready, Set, SCIENCE! is an essential resource for science educators. ISBN 0-309-10614-1 $22.95 220 pages National Academies Press www.nap.edu
INFOCUS PRE-SORT STANDARD P.O. Box 665 U.S. POSTAGE PAID Holmes, PA 19043 PERMIT NO. 6426 WASHINGTON, DC
Balancing Science and Security Mississippi River Water Quality The Search for Life in the Universe
Fall 2007 vol. 7 number 3