How do kids get excited about science? Science-By-Mail, an outreach program organized by the Boston Museum of Science, has been addressing that question since 1988. Educators at the museum team children with volunteer scientists in problem-solving exercises, distributed in the form of "science challenge packets" to fourth- to ninth-graders in school, scouting, and family groups. The packets contain stimulating problems for the young people, who send their solutions to the volunteer scientist assigned to their group. After reviewing solutions to the challenges, these researchers respond to the students with notes of encouragement and guidance. Scientists usually correspond with up to five groups (with two to four children in each group) at least three times a year. This year's challenges are on the science behind weather, magic, and garbage. During the last school year, more than 25,000 children and 2,000 researchers participated. The museum staff is looking for volunteer scientists for ...
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NBS Chief Named Scientific `Genius' Recognized Mentoring By Mail Global Publishing Senate Support Inventive Minds H. Ronald Pulliam, a professor of ecology at the University of Georgia in Athens, has been appointed the first director of the United States Department of Interior's National Biological Survey (NBS). Pulliam, 48, replaces F. Eugene Hester, the acting director of the new agency, which has a staff of more than 1,800. The
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