The National Science Board advises the President and Congress on national science policy and governs the National Science Foundation. Its 24 members, appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, represent the views of scientific and engineering leaders across the country.

Society for Science & the Public has been educating the public about science since 1922. That's when we published the first edition of Science News-Letter, which developed into the magazine you are reading today. Along the way, we instituted three science-education programs: the Science Talent Search (previously sponsored by Westinghouse and now by Intel) for high school seniors, the International Science and Engineering Fair (also sponsored by Intel) for ninth- through twelfth-graders, and the Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge (supported by Discovery Communications, Inc.) for middle school students. Our efforts are aimed at making science a lifelong passion for the U.S. public.

We plan to become even more effective as we expand the presence of Science News on the Internet. Every day more sites establish links with Science News Online, and we are constructing a full online version of the magazine for our subscribers.

You, the Science News readers, are on the front line in the battle for scientific literacy. Whether or not you work as a scientist, you keep up with the scientific and technical advances that may have profound effects on society and the economy.

As a recipient of the National Science Board's Public Service Award, Society for Science & the Public joins the winners from previous years—Jane Goodall, Stephen J. Gould, Public Broadcasting Service's NOVA television series, and the KCTS-TV show "Bill Nye the Science Guy." The individuals honored this year are Philip Morrison and Phylis Morrison of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Together, we will continue to strive for increased public understanding of science.

NSF Announcement: http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/press/00/pr0026.htm

Donald R. Harless, President, Society for Science & the Public

Society for Science & the Public, the parent organization of Science News, has received the National Science Board's third annual Public Service Award. This award honors individuals and organizations that have increased the public's understanding of science and engineering.