Reflections on the milestones of 2007
Now that 2007 is winding to a close, let’s reflect on the events and milestones COPUS has achieved in our exciting first year…
With the registration of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Education last week, COPUS reached 150 participants! What growth since January 2007 when COPUS launched with just 15 core participants!
Our community has rapidly expanded in both number and diversity of its stakeholders, including museums and science centers, professional societies, universities, government agencies, educators and communicators, business groups, artists and musicians – participants are located on each coast and everywhere in between, and all share the same common goal: improving scientific literacy in our communities!
COPUS has launched and updated several communication resources to keep participants connected and informed about the Coalition’s latest developments and activities: the monthly COPUS Clarion newsletter, the COPUS blog, and even a Facebook group! Submit content, log-on, comment – we want to hear from you!
The COPUS Program and Event Directory continues to grow as participants register their organizations’ programs. Anyone can search the database to find (and even Google map!) diverse science-based activities and education resources. Take advantage of the Directory to find science events in your area or to brain storm for new program ideas.
COPUS participants and science stakeholders have joined together to promote the public understanding of science in their local communities. Regional hubs of activity have coalesced in Cambridge, MA; North Carolina; Tampa, FL; Ann Arbor, MI; Chicago, IL; South Dakota; Seattle, WA; and the San Francisco Bay Area, CA. We look forward to the contagious enthusiasm of these hubs to inspire the development of more regional hubs in 2008.
With the New Year upon us, there is much to be done to prepare for Year of Science 2009. Put on your thinking caps – it’s time to start developing programs for 2009!
Thanks for a wonderful year! We look forward to sharing many more milestones with you!