Our Mission is to promote public understanding and appreciation of the sciences, to support scientific research and education in areas relevant to the needs of the state and to provide consultative or advisory services on matters of science to the Governor, and to local, state and federal agencies.
Our Motto is:
Think, Explore, Learn!
Outreach Director Sara Cody (R) and Assistant Outreach Director Gabby Bouton (L) travelled to Great Barrington, MA on August 5th to hear more about Gov. Patrick's Readiness Initiative and to introduce him to the MAS.
 Massachusetts is one of the world's leading centers of science. To connect its citizens to this intellectual bounty and spread its benefits to all, the Commonwealth needs a very visible organization devoted to the intersection of science, education, and public service. It also needs a consulting service to strengthen regional leadership in government and business. The Massachusetts Academy of Science is designed to fill both these roles. - E. O. Wilson |
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Dr. Edward O. Wilson is one of the great minds of our time. His groundbreaking research, original thinking, and scientific and popular writing have changed the way humans think of nature, and our place in it. Currently he is a research professor and museum curator at Harvard University. He has received many of the world's leading prizes for his research in science, his environmental activism, and his writing.
Learn More aboutE. O. Wilson
Gov. Patrick targets gaps in learning
"Governor Deval Patrick will unveil more than 50 recommendations this week that seek to dramatically change the way education is delivered and funded in Massachusetts."
Education, union, and business leaders briefed on the plan say Patrick will propose a plethora of initiatives aimed at closing the achievement gap among students. In addition, he will recommend that a statewide teacher contract take the place of contracts negotiated town by town; suggest higher pay for teachers in hard-to-staff subjects, such as math, and geographical areas, such as inner cities; and encourage some of the state's 391 school districts to merge. He is also expected to propose making community colleges, which cost an average of $3,657 a year, free for all students.
Administration officials say many of the details, including timelines and funding, have yet to be fleshed out, but those briefed last week say that Patrick is expected to make a major announcement about financing the plan this morning at the Boys and Girls Club in Dorchester. The governor has another education-related event scheduled tomorrow in Hopkinton, and the full Readiness Report will be made available Wednesday.
"You're seeing a serious, major overhaul of our public education system," said an administration official with knowledge of the plan who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the plan will not be publicly unveiled until this week. "It's very unusual and it's taking very seriously the notion that we need to offer a different long-range plan."
CALLING ALL KIDS
My blog is finally up and running! Check it out: Sara's Blog. I am so excited about it, and I'll be updating it frequently, so keep checking back!Gov. Wants For Incentives For Math, Science Teachers
Gov. Deval Patrick announces his education reform plan at EMC in Hopkinton.
Bay State educators could see pay incentives to teach math and science, work in high-need districts and help struggling students improve under major school reforms Gov. Deval Patrick revealed yesterday.
The proposals are part of Patrick's "Readiness Project," a 10-year plan he began rolling out this week to reshape public schools. He explained new details in a visit yesterday to data storage giant EMC Corp. in Hopkinton, highlighting the plan's emphasis on readying students for a high-tech, global economy. "Our economic future in Massachusetts is more and more tied to innovation technologies like yours," Patrick told EMC employees.
On Monday, Patrick also proposed everything from expanded preschool and kindergarten programs to free community college for state residents. Yesterday, he said the state has some of the nation's best schools, but achievement gaps persist between white students and minority and low-income children. While the state's technology sector is strong, too few college-bound students are majoring in math, and the country ranks 25th in math and 21st in science, Patrick said.
"We're working with a late 19th, early 20th century education system," said Paul Reville, Patrick's secretary of education.
To maintain economic growth and overcome those gaps, the state needs to give students 21st century skills, Patrick said.
Dr. Mandana Sassanfar and MAS join forces!
Dr. Sassanfar, a MAS board member, will act as Director of the MJAS through 2010. Learn more about Dr. Sassanfar in her recent interview conducted by Michael Bertrand, Director of Education.
MEET ASPIRING SCIENTISTS
Meet the next generation of scientists and find out more about how they will make an impact on our scientific community. This week, meet Chris Mitchell, a herpetologist who is just graduating from high school.
Our 2008 priorities include:
