‘Tis the Season: For Science!
It’s December… the time for giving… giving Christmas (or whatever holiday you choose) gifts but don’t forget to give back at this time of year. It’s the end of the tax year after all. But it’s also a time when we should be thinking about what we can give back to our communities. Thanksgiving has past and we’ve given our thanks for what we have. And the holiday season has approached and we can think about what to pay it forward.
So how can you give or give back?
1. Science Fairs
Are you a scientist? How about use those fancy degrees for something useful? This time of year is when I always fill out my information to participate as a judge for local/regional science fairs. I was lucky enough to know someone who judged and invited me to join her. But how can you become a judge?
– try calling your local schools to find out what organizations they participate in
– google your state + science fair and check out the websites (ex: http://www.usc.edu/CSSF/Judges/CategoryJudges.ssi, http://www.pjas.net/)
2. NPR
I listen to NPR every morning and evening. And yes, their donation drives can get annoying. But how can you not support Science Fridays, or This American Life, or Radio Lab???
NPR relies on public support for funding. And with current political climates and the economy, they need your support more than ever. And really, you do want that coffee cup… right?
And really, if you listen than how can you justify not paying into it. They do a lot of work and provide you with a lot of cool stuff. $60 a year to be a member is plenty worth it.
3. American Association for the Advancement of Science
AAAS is an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing science around the world. They work to foster education and increase public engagement in science and technology for everyone, and to strengthen and diversify the science and technology workforce.
4. National Center for Science Education
Non-profit, membership organization that provides information and resources for schools, parents and concerned citizens working to keep evolution in public school science education. They educate the press and public about the scientific and educational aspects of controversies surrounding the teaching of evolution and climate change, and supply needed information and advice to defend good science education at local, state, and national levels.
5. Association for Women in Science
Leadership organization advocating the interests of women in science and technology. For nearly 40 years, the Association for Women in Science has fought for equity and career advancement for women – from the bench to the board room. They unite women through our nationwide network of chapters and partnerships with aligned professional organizations.
Anita Borg Institute seeks to: increase the impact of women on all aspects of technology, and increase the positive impact of technology on the world’s women. Since 1997, ABI has developed tools and programs designed to help industry, academia and government recruit, retain and develop women technology leaders. By providing inclusive platforms designed to ensure women’s voices, ideas and spirits will result in higher levels of technical innovation, ABI delivers programs that are changing the world for women and for technology.
7. EurekaFund
Eureka Fund is a place to fund the scientific research in clean technology that you want to see realized. Browse research proposals that need your support. Find a project that inspires. Get directly involved!
8. Wikipedia
Admit it, you use Wikipedia. And it’s useful. Much like with NPR… how can you justify using something for free and never giving back.
9. SciFlies
Sciflies makes science happen by filling the serious funding gap for the advancement of research and development projects that lead to new discoveries and innovation. Their grassroots approach and micro-donation model showcases vetted and qualified research projects from across all fields of scientific inquiry, allowing anyone, anywhere to directly support research they care about. SciFlies’ goal is to foster ongoing citizen engagement with science and technology, building meaningful relationships between the public and scientists working to solve the world’s medical, environmental, engineering, and other challenges.
10. Fund Science
Their aim is to enable the public to fund pilot research projects. Accomplishing this goal has immense benefits. First they’re providing research funds to a whole new generation of researchers that are our future. Secondly they’re walking the public through the scientific process, from grant writing to funding, all the way to the results. Finally they are creating an ecosystem for scientists to collaborate with each other as well as the public on shaping future research projects.
Or don’t follow my lead. They are only 10! Find one that interests you… maybe it cancer, or diabetes, or a local food bank. Look it up and give back.
nerdoscientist.com 
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you penning
this article and the rest of the website is also really good.