Benefits of Membership in the Alabama Academy of Science
THE ALABAMA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE INVITES YOU TO JOIN THE ACADEMY, PARTICIPATE IN ITS PROGRAMS, AND SUPPORT ITS ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE INTEREST IN SCIENCE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA
You can be part of the only statewide organization that brings all Alabama scientists together to impact public interest in science, encourage students to study science, support scholarships to students and teachers, reward outstanding science students, and network with scientists and science educators throughout Alabama.
OBJECTIVES OF THE ACADEMY
According to its charter, the objectives of the Academy are to:
- Promote the development of interest in scientific matters in the state,
- Provide means for increased cooperation and fellowship among its members,
- Cooperate with other organizations having similar aims,
- Render public service in scientific matters,
- Promote the interest in and study of science by the youth of Alabama,
- Provide for and award scholarships to deserving youth of Alabama.
In fulfilling these objectives, the Academy is devoted to nearly all aspects of science and science education.
HISTORY
The Alabama Academy of Science was organized in Mobile in 1924 with 40 charter members representing academic and governmental interests in science. In 1990 the membership consisted of more than 900 persons from all parts of the state.
As science and technology have developed over the years, the Academy has broadened its activities and its influence, especially in research and education. In 1930 it began publishing the Journal of the Alabama Academy of Science, and in 1933 it established the Alabama Junior Academy of Science. In 1946 it started a scholarship program, and in 1954 the Academy undertook to sponsor several regional science fairs. A new visiting scientist program for high schools started in 1985, in 1989 a Science Teacher Fellowship program was initiated, and in 1990 the Science Olympiad began. Since 1927 the Academy has been affiliated with the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
THE ANNUAL MEETING
The annual meeting of the Academy is held in March or April on the campus of an Alabama college or university. Scientific papers are presented by members, graduate students, and invited guests and symposia are held. Academy business is conducted and scientific associations are renewed. This is an outstanding opportunity for scientists (academic and industrial), undergraduates, and graduates to showcase their scientific accomplishments and encourage students to pursue science careers. Through this venue, students develop their expertise in making scientific presentations, make important network contacts, and receive encouragement from Alabama’s scientists. The Alabama Junior Academy of Science, consisting of high school science clubs and their teacher-sponsors, meets at the same time. The two academies come together at a joint banquet where a guest speaker gives an address and prizes and awards are presented.
PUBLICATIONS
The Journal of the Alabama Academy of Science began as an annual publication in 1930 and became a quarterly in 1958. The Journal is fully refereed and publishes scientific papers reporting original research in any of the eleven discipline sections of the Academy. Each manuscript receives at least two simultaneous peer reviews. Timely reviewed articles of exceptional quality and general readership interest are also considered. Invited articles dealing with science activities in Alabama are occasionally published. Book reviews of Alabama authors are also accepted. The Journal is administered by an Editor and an Editorial Board. All members of the Academy receive the Journal.
The Academy also maintains a website – https://www.alabamaacademyofscience.org – that contains up-to-date information on Academy activities and serves as a medium of conveying information on academy business to the membership.
EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
The Academy sponsors the Alabama Junior Academy of Science, a statewide organization of high school clubs. A Counselor and two Associate Counselors, elected by the membership of the Academy, supervise the activities of the Junior Academy.
The Junior Science and Humanities Symposium is an activity supported by the United States Army and the United States Navy and the United States Air Force. The symposium is primarily a paper-reading contest whose winners are given opportunities to participate in the National Symposium.
The Junior Academy also publishes a Journal, which includes research papers written by high school students, and it annually recognizes an outstanding high school science teacher.
The Academy sponsors seven Regional Science Fairs at which high school students exhibit the results of their research or study projects. The best exhibits receive awards and are entered in the International Science and Engineering Fair. A Coordinator of Science Fairs, who is an elected officer of the Academy, supervises the regional fairs and arranges for participation in the International Fair.
The Academy also sponsors the Science Olympiad. Regional Winners compete at the state level and the Alabama winners go to the National Competition.
The Academy coordinates a Visiting Scientist Network in which volunteer members, upon invitation by a teacher, go to high schools to present talks, demonstrations, or workshops. Through this program, students and teachers learn about college, careers, society’s problems, the methods of science, and life around us.
Support is provided to graduate and to undergraduate students in the form of research grants and travel grants. Research grants assist students in completing projects required for degrees. Travel grants enable students to attend the annual meeting where they can present their research results in the Student Research Award Competition.
A student scholarship program organized by the Academy in 1946 was the forerunner of the Gorgas Scholarship Foundation. The Foundation, which was set up in 1952, operated as a private organization until December 1997. At that time, the Gorgas Trust Fund was transferred to the Alabama Power Foundation, which administers the Gorgas Scholarship Program in cooperation with the Academy. The primary responsibility of the Academy is to conduct a statewide science talent search and to select scholarship recipients from among high school senior students who have participated in the annual Intel Talent Search. The final judging is done at the Academy’s annual meeting and the awards are announced there.
The Mason Science Teacher Fellowship ($1000) is awarded to a graduate student to enroll in a 5th Year Teacher Certificate Program.
SPECIAL AWARDS
Each year the Academy makes special awards, which are presented at the annual banquet. The Wright A. Gardner Award is presented to an individual for outstanding and noteworthy achievements in science during residence in Alabama. The Emmett B. Carmicheal Award goes to the authors of the outstanding paper published in the Journal during the previous year. Through the Fellows of the Alabama Academy of Science Award, the Academy recognizes individuals for their contributions in science in the State of Alabama and for their service to the Academy.
SYMPOSIA AND WORKSHOPS
The Academy conducts Symposia, usually once a year during the annual meeting of the Academy, on science-related topics of general interest, or in the field of science education. Summer workshops for teachers are also held.
PUBLIC SERVICE
Members of the Academy are always available to state government and various agencies for informational and advisory services. A resource directory listing specific capabilities of members is available and periodically is revised and updated.
MEMBERSHIP CLASSES
Member: Anyone who desires to support the Academy’s objectives may become a member.
Student member: Anyone who is registered as an undergraduate or graduate student in a college or university may qualify as a collegiate member for a maximum of five years.
Life member: Anyone may become a life member by making a single payment of $300.00.
Sustaining member: Any individual, corporation, or organization may become a sustaining member by paying the specified annual dues.
Other classes: Emeritus, Honorary, Fellow.
SECTION AFFILIATIONS
As a member of the Academy, you will be affiliated with and make contributions to one or the following sections:
| SECTION I. | BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES |
| SECTION II. | CHEMISTRY |
| SECTION III. | PHYSICS AND MATHEMATICS |
| SECTION IV. | ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE |
| SECTION V. | SOCIAL SCIENCES |
| SECTION VI. | ANTHROPOLOGY |
| SECTION VII. | STEM EDUCATION |
| SECTION VIII. | ENVIRONMENTAL AND EARTH SCIENCE |
| SECTION IX. | HEALTH SCIENCES |
| SECTION X. | BIOETHICS & HISTORY & PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE |
HOW DO I JOIN THE ACADEMY?
Joining the Academy is very easy and can be done by completing the application form on the Academy website. Encourage colleagues to join the Academy and contribute with you and us to the efforts of the Academy to promote interest in science in Alabama.