Sponsored by the National Science Foundation and funded largely by corporate donors, Science Week is observing its third year. Its message—to encourage local groups across the country to do whatever they can to drum up interest in science and technology— is being heard by people in nearly every state.
"We can't keep track of everything that's going on this year, and we don't want to be able to," said Nan Smith, an NSF staffer who works full time on the annual project. "We put the word out, sent out posters and brochures, and let people interpret the week in whatever way they want, with whatever means they have."
The balloon project has grown over the past three years from 5,000 to 225,000 balloons, with 50 data collection sites. It is sponsored by the American Geological Institute and the 55-member Thangle Coalition for Science and Technology Education based here.
"The balloon ...
