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Tag Archives: Cal Academy
Funding science in a slow economy
Early last week, Senators Tom Coburn (R- Oklahoma) and John McCain (R- Arizona) released a report entitled “Summertime Blues: 100 stimulus projects that give taxpayers the blues.” Among the projects highlighted in the report, there are a number of research studies funded by the National Science Foundation from their portion of last year’s stimulus funds (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act). Of the $862 billion total dispersed by Congress, the NSF received $2 billion specifically for “research and related activities.” NSF chose to use these funds for highly rated proposals that had already been submitted for review, but which would otherwise have gone unfunded due to budget constraints.
Let me be clear from the beginning: it is not the goal of this blog to take any political stance. Our main interest is science, and science is not an inherently political pursuit. The opinions of policy-makers are not directly relevant to our pursuit of truth about the natural world.
Cal Academy NightLife goes Extreme…Mammals
The California Academy of Sciences, located in the San Francisco Golden Gate Park, runs an evening program called NightLife every Thursday from 6-10 pm. Each NightLife has a unique scientific theme as well as a DJ, dance floor, and alcoholic beverages for purchase (you must be over 21 with valid ID to enter NightLife). Non-member tickets are $12 and can be purchased online or at the door.
I first visited the Cal Academy last year when NightLife was fresh on the table and the line to get in wrapped around the block, no matter how windy or cold the San Francisco evening. Even now, the event remains popular with hundreds of guests visiting every Thursday evening. The Academy’s current highlight is Extreme Mammals, which runs through September 12 this year, and it’s a must-see for adults and kids alike.