Press Room: Issues in the News
http://www.aaas.org//news/press_room/issues/index.shtml
Resources for Understanding Major Issues
![[PHOTOGRAPH] An apple and book sitting on a teacher's desk [Getty Images]](resources-media/evolution_education_apple.jpg "[PHOTOGRAPH] An apple and book sitting on a teacher's desk [Getty Images]")
Evolution Resources
Our Evolution Resources page presents materials useful for teachers and students, religious congregations, journalists, and others. There are links to writings on the dialogue between religion and science, video presentations on the powerful evidence for evolution, statements by the AAAS Board of Directors, and commentaries by AAAS officials. And there's a range of news stories that have been published in Science, on www.AAAS.org, and in newspapers and magazines.
AAAS has been active in recent years in supporting and protecting the integrity of science in public school science classrooms. The message has been clear: In a time of unprecedented challenge and opportunity, top-quality science instruction is essential to America's future well-being. Teaching religious ideas in science class undermines that objective by confusing students and discouraging their interest in science.
Some of the latest news:
- "Texas case threatens education and competitiveness nationally," an op-ed by AAAS President Peter Agre and AAAS CEO Alan I. Leshner in the online edition of The San Antonio Express News, 23 March 2009
- "Sean Carroll: Evolution's Explorers Entering a New Golden Age of Discovery," from the AAAS Annual Meeting, 14 February 2009
- "Board's Actions Could Put Students at a Disadvantage," an op-ed by AAAS CEO Alan I. Leshner in the Houston Chronicle, 22 October 2008
![[PHOTOGRAPH] Cars in traffic under a polluted sky](resources-media/climate_change_traffic.jpg "[PHOTOGRAPH] Cars in traffic")
Global Climate Change Resources
On the AAAS Climate Resources page, we've assembled reliable resources that could be helpful to a range of users, from government officials to teachers and students and members of the public.
At every opportunity, AAAS seeks to provide and support scientific and engineering leadership and innovation efforts on global climate change. These issues have been addressed in books compiled by the editors of the journal Science; in special presentations at the AAAS Annual Meeting; in symposia organized with partners in government, business, and higher education; and in statements by the AAAS Board of Directors and published commentaries by AAAS officials.
Some of the latest news:
- "For Now, at Least, Efficiency May Be the Best Tool for Reducing Carbon Emissions, Experts Say," a report on the 5 March forum sponsored by Hitachi and co-organized by Hitachi, the Brookings Institution, and AAAS
- "Airborne Particles Have Reduced Clear Sky Visibility Over Most of the World," a summary of the 12 March 2009 research paper published in Science
- Video of a special invited address by Al Gore, the Nobel Peace Prize winner and former U.S. vice president, to the AAAS Annual Meeting on 13 February 2009.
![[PHOTOGRAPH] The U.S. Capitol building [Photo © & licensed by Getty Images. capitol_200358892-001.jpg]](resources-media/rnd_capitol_a.jpg "[PHOTOGRAPH] The U.S. Capitol building [Photo © & licensed by Getty Images. capitol_200358892-001.jpg]")
R&D Budget and Policy Resources
It's difficult to understand U.S. policies and priorities in science, science education, engineering, and related fields without an understanding of the federal budget for research and development. Some influential government officials have described the AAAS R&D Budget and Policy Program as the gold standard for this critical budget analysis.
The program offers an authoritative, non-partisan look at how the government invests in innovation across the full range of fields, from agriculture, health, and defense to physics, energy, and space exploration. The program's analyses are frequently updated, especially during budget season in Washington, D.C. The latest report describes why 2009 is a "remarkable" year for federal R&D investment.
