1999 Public Affairs Award

To Bill Kurtis

Citation:

"For using the medium of television to educate schoolchildren about the mystery, adventure and satisfaction of scientific discovery; for helping to enlighten the general public regarding the role that science and technology continues to play in shaping our civilization; and for sharing generously your knowledge, time and experience with scientific, public and private organizations, we honor you with this award."

When: March 12, 1999
Where: Como Inn, Chicago

For more information, click here.

Title and Abstract:

"The New Explorers: Science Journalism as an Educational Adventure."

The "New Explorers" documentary series highlights the exciting role of modern scientists, the "new explorers" of today, as they pursue the never-ending journey of discovery. The hour-long series began in 1991. Currently, it is seen on cable's A&E Network ---- and in over 100 countries worldwide. Beyond these television broadcasts, we have developed a unique partnership with corporations, schools, museums and science institutions to create a new approach to teaching science in the classroom. The "National Science Explorers Program" has become one of the top science teaching initiatives in the country, built upon this revolutionary partnership and the "New Explorers Series." It is now being used in many school systems throughout the country, including, since 1991, the Chicago Public School System. The development of the series, its use in educational systems, and future programming projections using state-of-the-art satellite and computer based technologies, will be presented and discussed.

History of The Public Affairs Award

In 1982 the Public Affairs Committee decided to establish an award which would recognize those who were involved in science and public policy issues. One of the stipulations of the award was that the individual need not be a chemist or member of the Society. As a result, although a majority of our honorees have been chemists, we have also honored an engineer and several physicists. This year for the first time, our honoree is not a member of one of the science and engineering professions but comes from the field of broadcasting. It was always our aim that when we identified a person whose contribution to the understanding and appreciation of science rose to the high level that we recognize as noteworthy, we would honor that person appropriately. It is therefore with a sense of pride and satisfaction that we confer this year's award on Bill Kurtis, one of the nation's outstanding television journalists, and add his name to the list of past honorees.

Jim Shoffner and Barb Moriarty,

Co-chairs, Public Affairs Committee

Past recipients of the Public Affairs Award are listed below, along with their achievements.
(After 1987, the award was given bianually.)

1983 Dr. Carl Moore Professor of Chemistry, Head of Department of Chemistry, Loyola Univ.;
For outstanding public service, advisor to local governments in science and public policy.
1984 Dr. Ananda Chakrabarty Research Scientist, General Electric Inc., Professor of Biochemistry, Univ. of Illinois;
For obtaining first patent for living organism, a bacterium for use in pollution control.
1985 Mr. Valdas Adamkus Regional Administrator, Region V EPA;
For outstanding administration of the regional office, for standing strong against attempts to weaken pollution control regulations and politicize the office.
1986 Dr. James Shoffner Senior Research Chemist, Allied Signal-UOP, presently Adjunct Professor of Science in Science Institute;
For pioneering work in establishing the Public Affairs Committee, working with state, local and regional governments on science and public policy issues.
1987 Dr. Etcyl Blair Consultant, Industry-Government Relations, Retired Vice President Health and Environmental Sciences, Dow Inc.;
For outstanding work in devising corporate compliance policies, on managing analytical methodologies for effective pollution control.
1989 Dr. William Beranek Advisor to Governor of Indiana, Head of Indiana environmental consulting firm;
For work done in risk-benefit analysis and environmental improvement stratagies championed nationally.
1991 Dr. Leon Lederman Nobel Laureate in Physics, Director Emeritus, Fermilab, Professor of Physics, Univ. of Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology;
For speaking for science nationally and internationally, championing science funding and for being a leader in science education.
1993 Dr. Walter McCrone President and Founder, McCrone Institute, Internationally known chemical microscopist, exposed Shroud of Turin and Vinland Map as forgeries;
For world class work on fiber and particle identification, especially asbestos fibers, and for socially relevant contributions as President of the Board of Ada S. McKinley Community Services, one of Chicago's leading social agencies.
1995 Dr. Walter E. Massey President, Morehouse College, former VP Research, Univ. of Chicago, Director, Argonne Lab, VP Academic Affairs, Univ. of California;
For public speaking on federal, local and state boards and commissions, speaking and writing on science and public policy, and for leading efforts to maintain the viability of Argonne Lab.
1997 Dr. Zafra Lerman Head of Science Institute, Columbia College;
For outstanding contributions in areas of human rights and science education.
1999 Mr. Bill Kurtis Kurtis Productions, Incorporated;
For using the medium of television to educate schoolchildren about the mystery, adventure and satisfaction of scientific discovery, and for helping to enlighten the general public regarding the role that science and technology continues to play in shaping our civilization.