Indiana Academy of Science event will highlight research, education

Three hundred Indiana scientists from both academic and industrial backgrounds will gather on March 9 for the Indiana Academy of Science’s 128th Annual Academy Meeting.

More than 150 research presentations, workshops and “hot topic” discussions will showcase information about a wide variety of fields, including astronomy, microbiology, environmental science and physics.

“When we have these annual meetings, scientists from different sectors can learn what is going on in other areas,” said Delores Brown, executive director of the Indiana Academy of Science. “It’s a great opportunity to learn what is going on in the world.”

The Indiana Academy of Science is a nonprofit, professional membership organization of Indiana scientists.

“We have three different missions — science research, education in science and to encourage cooperation between Indiana scientists,” Brown said. “If you think about those three (missions) it makes good sense to pool these scientists together.”

Guest speakers for the event include NASA Lead Scientist Bilal Bomani, who will discuss NASA’s biofuel program and how it can cater to demands for fuel, and British Petroleum Chief Scientist and Chemist Michael Desmond, who will speak about tackling the energy challenge.

“The big topic right now is energy,” Brown said. “NASA says they have a solution to this problem, and we want to hear it.”

Monica Bradford, executive editor of the International Journal of Science, Fred Guterl, executive editor of Scientific American magazine and Uwe Hansen, editor of the Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science, will have a panel discussing scholarly writing and academic publishing.

Bradford said the panel will be an open discussion about the respective publications, the areas they are addressing and the different ways each publication is trying to make science more understandable.

She said one topic that might be discussed is the impact of social media on scientific communication.

“The pace is faster, and we have to be careful to balance speed with accuracy,” Bradford said. “If you want to get retweeted, you need to have an edge, but you still have to maintain accuracy.”

Entomologist and author Gene Kritsky, a former Academy president, will speak on periodic cicadas.

“We are beginning the next emergence of a major brood in Indiana and across the country,” Kritsky said. “Indiana scientists need to be aware of what to look for over the next few years.”

He said the annual meeting allows scientists to not only share data, but also set up collaborations.

“That’s where you get some novel thinking,” he said.

Newly elected Indiana State Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz will discuss science education in Indiana schools, and science educator and television personality Rick Crosslin will present “Science is for Everyone.”  

Aspiring scientists from Indiana public schools have also been invited, Brown said.
“It’s to introduce them to people that are already in the field they want to pursue themselves,” Brown said of the event. “Every person there will be a role model for these people.”

She added that around one-third of the presenters will be undergraduate or graduate students from across the state.

Bradford said it is important to talk to other scientists who are involved in research and education.

“Scientists work as teams, so the more they can have a chance to work together the better,” Bradford said.

On-site registration will be from 7 to 8 a.m. March 9 at the J.W. Marriot at 10 S. West St. in Indianapolis. The price is $70 for academy members and $95 for non-members. The event will last from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to a press release.