The world’s largesT science celeBraTion. science chicago sep 2008—aug 2009 Final REPORT Spearheaded by the Museum of Science and Science is essential for our Industry and in partnership with Chicago’s leading civic, academic, scientific, corporate collective health and well-being, and nonprofit institutions, Science Chicago began as a year-long collaborative initiative to: economic viability and our > Highlight science and technology achievements > Increase access to science learning future. As Chicagoans, we each experiences > Promote dialogue about the importance of have a stake in ensuring that science and technology in the Chicago region. our region continues to respect, From September 2008 — August 2009, citizens enjoyed unparalleled access to more than 1,200 support and value science. dynamic in-person science experiences and countless ways to explore and share science on the web. This report presents highlights of the Science Chicago initiative; for more detailed highlights please refer to the website. We are grateful to the following donors for their generous support of The John D. and Catherine Abbott Science Chicago: T. MacArthur Foundation The Boeing Company The Searle Funds at The Chicago Illinois Tool Works Inc. Community Trust Motorola Table of Contents > 1 About Science Chicago 3 Letters 4 Executive Director letter Board of Advisor Co-Chair letters Board of Advisors Vice-Chair letter Science Council Chair letter Leadership and Staff 8 Board of Advisors Science Council Leadership Committee Honorary Committee Staff Project Overiew 14 Overview Vision Mission Goals Evaluation and Impact Funders Timeline 20 science chicago Final reporT Table of Contents > 2 Partners 31 Media 35 Public Relations 36 Social Media 38 Advertising and Marketing 40 Online 42 Blog Overview and Highlights 43 Blogger Bios Website 47 Contact 49 science chicago Final reporT About Science Chicago > 3 About Science Chicago Letters Leadership and Staff Project Overiew Funders science chicago Final reporT Letters About Science Chicago > 4 Executive Director Dear Friends, On behalf of our community and dedicated supporters and partners, Science Chicago thanks everyone for taking part in this extraordinary yearlong science celebration. More than 300,000 citizen scientists—students, teachers, families and individuals—have participated in thousands of in-person science programming and online experiences. As you will see in the timeline section of this final report, science happened every day and everywhere; each experience contributing to the world’s largest science celebration. Science Chicago came together because of the commitment and collaboration of more than 140 public and private institutions. The initiative boasted a diverse and talented group of individuals—including professional scientists, engineers, under- graduate and graduate students and educators—as well as the best of Chicago’s universities, national laboratories, research facilities, industries, corporations, museums, cultural institutions and community organizations. Science Chicago partners helped connect the city and regions’ resources and talent to the public and encourage us all to embrace the scientist within and experience life as a lab. Please visit the partner section of this report to connect with the ongoing efforts of these outstanding organizations. Science Chicago would not have been possible without the generous support of our foundation and corporate partners – The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, The Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust, Abbott, The Boeing Company, Illinois Tool Works Inc. and Motorola – and the Museum of Science and Industry. Their involvement acknowledges the critical role science and math play in the success and well-being of our region, as well as the importance of inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers. The crowd waits for a chemical reaction to occur at LabFest! Millennium Park. Thank you for joining us on this phenomenal adventure. We hope you keep science in your life every day. Cheryl R. Hughes Executive Director, Science Chicago science chicago Final reporT Letters About Science Chicago > 5 Board of Advisors Co-Chairs Dear Friends, I have devoted my life to the pursuit of science and education, so it is particularly special for me to have been part of Science Chicago an ambitious program to raise awareness about the importance of science in everyday life in the minds of students, their parents and teachers. As a physicist by training, I am excited at the prospect of more young people understanding the rewarding benefits of a career in science. As an academic, I am amazed to see the incredible things young people can achieve when they have confidence in themselves. One of the most important civic contributions of Science Chicago was to inspire citizens of the region to explore the wonders of our science heritage and to encourage the next generation of scientists and engineers. Everyone involved in Science Chicago was a leader in this effort. I have often said that leadership is defined by developing a vision and a goal and using strength and conviction to share them with others. And it is no more important to lead than when faced with a challenge that could change the fate of our region. What Science Chicago aimed to do was not easy. Our leadership in science and technology and the quality of our future workforce are complex issues that require thoughtful planning. Science Chicago aimed to ignite our interest in science and technology, and more importantly, to energize a generation to consider science careers. As a result, our community can take pride in our collective efforts to foster the young minds who will lead us to the next great innovation. Walter E. Massey, Ph.D. Co-Chair, Science Chicago Board of Advisors Young scientists tackling a colorful DNA puzzle on Dear Friends, Science Saturday! AGTCs of Identity The MacArthur Foundation is proud of its support for Science Chicago and how the past year of activities across our region spurred discussions among all age groups about the importance of science in all our lives. Science Chicago educated, inspired, and hopefully changed lives, and we believe its effects will continue to be felt. If Chicago is to remain at the forefront of research and invention, we must continue to inspire a next generation of researchers. We must also continue the public dialogue generated by Science Chicago about how science works and about the impact of science on how we live. The MacArthur Foundation has a long tradition of supporting originality and creativity, of nurturing ground-breaking research, and being oriented toward the future. In supporting Science Chicago, MacArthur continued its mission to help individuals reach their full potential, build the institutions that enrich our lives, and look for solutions to persistent problems. Most importantly, through Science Chicago, our city and region have celebrated the power and potential of science. Arthur M. Sussman Vice President, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Co-Chair, Science Chicago Board of Advisors science chicago Final reporT Letters About Science Chicago > 6 Science Council Chair Dear Friends, Science is key to solving many of the most complex issues that are critical to our nation’s economic well-being, such as renewable energy, climate change and health care reform, just to name a few. To me, the question is not so much about what needs to be done for today, but whether we are ready for tomorrow. We must do everything possible to encourage young girls and boys to feel that a career in science is not only available, but also valuable. Through Science Chicago, our community accepted this responsibility with spirit and energy. More than 140 of Chicago’s finest municipal, cultural, corporate and academic institutions collaborated to make science accessible. With thousands of daily events hosted throughout the region, Science Chicago provided hands-on learning, provoked thoughtful debate and built enthusiasm among youth for the pursuit of cutting-edge science. If we continue to place a high value on science, keep driving it forward and make it accessible to all, we will be well positioned to permanently rebuild our national scientific infrastructure – a process that will lead to better jobs, a globally competitive workforce, and a modern, vibrant economy. Science Chicago has positioned us to do just that. Leon M. Lederman, Ph.D. Nobel Laureate Pritzker Professor of Science, Illinois Institute of Technology Resident Scholar, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy Chair, Science Chicago Science Council Bubbleology 101, a LabFest! activity offered by Knowledge Learning Corp., allowed kids of all ages to learn about surface tension through play with bubbles. science chicago Final reporT Letters About Science Chicago > 7 Board of Advisors Vice-Chair Dear Friends, Science Chicago succeeded in showing us that science isn’t just learned in a class or a lab – it’s something that happens all around us, and has real impact on our lives. Through this yearlong celebration, students, parents, teachers and all of us had the opportunity to discover, explore and experiment. We explored science behind the scenes at our leading universities, laboratories, industries and environmental areas. We interacted with innovators, scientists and engineers through seminars, films and panel discussions on timely scientific issues. We tried our hand at fun science activities at traveling LabFest! science carnivals. And we connected to science through Science Chicago’s digital and social media tools. The Museum of Science and Industry is proud to have led this initiative. In a city with a strong culture of collaboration, Science Chicago yielded an unprecedented level of partnerships that will continue to inspire Chicagoans to explore the inspir- ing world of science in our community. We encourage everyone–young and old–to continue to embrace the credo that Life’s a Lab! David R. Mosena President and CEO, Museum of Science and Industry Vice-Chair, Science Chicago Board of Advisors All ages explored the natural wonders found in our City during the Windy City Bird Watching Science Saturday in April 2009.