Passionate advocates of science engagement

The COPUS Unconference wrapped up late on Sunday at the Biosphere2 with everyone exhausted but energized. The 60 or so invited participants spent a long weekend forming dozens of small to large groups to discuss and debate topics from hacker spaces to science cafes to media strategies to teacher training and beyond.

There are so many things going on around the country in getting people engaged in science that are so exciting which I've never heard of. The good news is that there are some amazingly brilliant, articulate, and passionate people who love doing this stuff. [Right, Judy Scotchmoor, co-founder of COPUS, offers explanation of the unconference format. At right, Sheri Potter from the American Institute of Biological Sciences, which hosts COPUS. Photo by Debra Winstead]