07 May 2004

The "Virtual" Conference on Informal Science Education

Forrest M. Mims III

Heather Smith, Director of Program Development for the Society for Amateur Scientists.

Heather Smith is Director of Program Development for the Society for Amateur Scientists. Several months ago Heather began organizing a virtual conference on informal science education. Back then I had no idea that she would be able to attract the number of participants who contributed papers. So it was a very pleasant surprise to see the end result of Heather's hard work on this project.

Amateur scientists in many fields have long played a key role in mentoring science students, who are also amateur scientists. Therefore, I very much hope you will take a few minutes to browse the topics, and read some of the papers, in what is now known as the "Virtual" Conference on Informal Science Education at www.sas.org/virtualConf.html.

As anyone who has spent much time mentoring students who are doing science projects knows, the mentor often gains as much from the experience as the student. So if you want to assist a student with a science project, and gain something in the process, contact local schools to offer your services as a mentor or science fair judge. It may take you a while to connect with a particular school or teacher, but once you do your services will be appreciated.

Congratulations, Heather, for the high quality of the Virtual Conference. The quality of the papers you attracted is at least as good as those I've seen at professional science education conferences. And thanks to Sheldon Greaves, for his role in assembling the Virtual Conference web page.