2003 Sigma Xi Annual Meeting Preliminary Program

November 13-16, 2003
Hyatt Regency Los Angeles at Macy's Plaza
Los Angeles, California

In conjunction with the Sigma Xi Forum, Science and Engineering: Keys to International Understanding, November 12-13
And the Sigma Xi Student Research Conference, November 14-15

Thursday, November 13, 2003

6:00-7:00 p.m.

John P. McGovern Science and Society Lecture
Agriculture and Peace--21st Century Challenges
Norman Borlaug
Nobel Laureate
Distinguished Professor of International Agriculture
Texas A&M University

7:00-9:00 p.m.

Reception
Open to all Forum, Annual Meeting and Student Research Conference participants.

Friday, November 14, 2003

8:00-9:00 a.m.

New Delegate Orientation
Most new delegates to Sigma Xi's Annual Meeting find themselves to be somewhat overwhelmed by all of the unique activities that comprise this conference. This workshop will explain what goes on during the Society's Annual Meeting, what delegates can expect from assemblies, meetings and workshops, why Sigma Xi's meeting is different from other association meetings, and how the meeting fits within the Society's governance structure. Time will be available to answer questions about the meeting, the Society and its operations. The session is strongly recommended for individuals who have not previously attended a Sigma Xi Annual Meeting, but everyone is welcome.

8:00-10:00 a.m.

Poster Setup
For Delegates presenting Scientific and/or Chapter posters.

9:15-9:45 a.m.

Welcome, Assembly of Delegates I

10:00-11:00 a.m.

Workshops

Chapters 101: Chapter Management
Have you wondered what Sigma Xi does with all the data you are asked to submit? Do you know about the duties of chapter officers? Have you ever wondered how we calculate local support for your chapter? Do you have questions about the annual report? Do you wish you could track your chapter membership better? This workshop will offer chapter delegates the chance to ask any and all questions about the administrative aspects of operating a Sigma Xi chapter.

Sigma Xi Postdoc Survey
During an 18-month period in 2003 and 2004, Sigma Xi will survey more than 20,000 postdoctoral researchers in North America. Supported by a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the Sigma Xi Postdoctoral Survey Project seeks to improve the training and research experiences of postdoctoral researchers by providing a better understanding of the factors that contribute to productive postdoctoral experiences and by enabling institutions to benchmark their postdoctoral policies and practices against those of their peer institutions. This session will offer an overview of the project and information about how chapters, institutions and individuals can participate. Partners on this project include the National Postdoc Association, Science's NextWave and the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Chapter Program Opportunities
Sigma Xi's offices administer various programs that can support chapter programming. This session will review some of the long-standing programs such as Distinguished Lectures, Science, Math, Engineering Education grants and Grants-in-Aid of Research as well introduce newer programs such as Sigma Xi Exchange. Delegates will also learn strategies to maximize the benefits of the Society programs.

Chapter Opportunity: Using Computational Science In The Undergraduate Classroom
Sigma Xi, in partnership with the Shodor Education Foundation will provide instruction and logistical support for chapters that are interested in hosting a computational science workshop series at their institutions. These workshops are funded by a grant from the National Science foundation and their purpose is to encourage the use of computational tools in undergraduate science and engineering education and to develop an active and supportive community of faculty using and sharing computational tools in the classroom and laboratory. This session will give participants a brief overview of the content of the workshops, what a chapter will need to do to host one and how to turn this opportunity into an outreach activity that goes beyond your campus.

Workshops (joint with Student Conference participants)

Communicating Science: Telling the Research Story in Pictures
The ancient human tradition of storytelling with pictures has helped ideas leap across boundaries of language, culture and time. How can you use pictures to tell the stories of science to unfamiliar audiences? This session will feature examples from the history of scientific illustration and show how illustration is developed for Sigma Xi's award-winning magazine, American Scientist. Come prepared to picture your research.

International Research Collaborations and Exchange
Advances in technology have made the world smaller and allow scientists and engineers to communicate across borders with unprecedented ease. As highlighted by the 2003 Forum, international collaboration is and will continue to be a critical factor in the health of the global research enterprise. Speakers will present information on how to establish relationships and find funding for international research collaborations and exchanges. Workshop attendees will be encouraged to participate by contributing comments and questions, and resource materials will be distributed.

Supporting Diversity in Science and Engineering -- Strategies That Work and Why
Minority science and engineering students and faculty often face a daunting array of both obvious and subtle obstacles that can derail their education and their career goals. These factors are frequently cited when accounting for high drop out rates among promising minorities and women in science and technology-rich fields. This workshop will focus on successful programs designed to support minority students interested in preparing for science and engineering careers. Faculty mentors and students will form a panel to discuss solutions that have grown out of their experiences. Those attending the workshop should leave with several ideas for chapter-based diversity programs. Students will learn about existing programs and have an opportunity to contribute their own ideas about how Sigma Xi might improve the quality of life for women and minorities on campus. A booklet listing sources of information about exemplary programs developed by the Sigma Xi Committee on Diversity will be distributed to workshop attendees.

Civic Scientists and Engineers
Scientists and engineers play increasingly important roles in sociological, economic and political arenas, yet researchers often find themselves portrayed as isolated and out of touch. This session will explore the impact that scientists and engineers can have when they assume leadership roles outside of the research environment. Ethics, communication, community service and outreach are all ways in which presenters in this session exemplify the concept of "The Civic Scientist."

Lunch Break

Optional Lunch Event (fee associated, pre-registration required):
Science and the Media
Sigma Xi's Public Understanding of Science program hosts this "Brown Bag" lunch forum, part of a series organized by the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing, featuring Sigma Xi honorary members Paul Raeburn and Robert Lee Hotz of The Los Angeles Times. Over lunch, Raeburn and Hotz will give a short presentation and then take questions from the audience. The goal is to have an open discussion about the problems specific to journalists covering science and to scientists communicating through the media. (Seats are limited.)

Chapter Workshops

Chapters 102: Programs
Developing programs for your Sigma Xi chapter can fall in the category of 'things you'd like to do if you ever had time to think about them.' Well, here's your chance to steal good ideas from other chapters who have already done all of the work. This session will highlight outstanding chapter programs in a variety of areas. Details on how to oranize similar programs will be distributed in handouts and on the Sigma Xi Web site.

Engaging the Public: Your Chapter and Public Outreach in the Community
Remember the spark that launched you on the journey of scientific discovery? In this workshop, Sigma Xi would like to exchange ideas with delegates on how best we can help chapters share with their community science's innate sense of adventure. Sigma Xi is building partnerships with other organizations, like the American Association for the Advancement of Science, to provide new opportunities for chapters to engage their local communities, and we need chapter input. Possibilities so far include: helping chapters produce a version of "A Family Guide to Science," an established directory to science resources in local communities-a template already exists and printing is provided; staging one-day public outreach activities at local science learning centers; developing teaching tools to help Sigma Xi members fulfill the technical aspects of public outreach grant segments or institutional expectations. Bring your thoughts and ideas.

Nominating Members
As a chapter officer you know that nominating members is important but you may have been confused by the paperwork, overwhelmed by the prospect of finding new members and undone by trying to make the initiation ceremony special. This workshop will walk delegates through the simple steps for building greater membership. Chapters that successfully nominate new members will be featured and each delegate will leave with handouts to make the job easier.

3:30-4:00 p.m.

Young Investigator Lecture
Tropical Fish Tales: Investigating Sexually Selected Traits at Multiple Levels
Alexandra Basolo, University of Nebraska, Lincoln

4:00-4:45 p.m.

Presentation of Student Awards
Closing Remarks

4:45-5:30 p.m.

Student Research Conference Poster Viewing, Featuring Award Winners
Cash Bar, Sodas

5:30-6:00 p.m.

Remove Scientific and Chapter Posters

6:30-7:00 p.m.

Cash Bar

7:00 p.m.

Sigma Xi Banquet with Music or Entertainment (fee)
Honorary Members Robert Lee Hotz, Los Angeles Times and Edwin H. Kiester, Freelance Science Journalist

Sunday, November 16, 2003

8:00-8:55 a.m.

Regional Meetings II

Mid-Atlantic

Northwest

Southeast

North Central

Northeast

Southwest

9:00-9:55 a.m.

Constituency Meetings II

Research & Doctoral

International

Baccalaureate

Comprehensive

Area/Industry/Government

10:15-11:00 a.m.

Assembly of Delegates III