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NSB Science and Society Award

Honoring service in promoting public understanding of science and engineering
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National Science Board (NSB)

The National Science Board Science and Society Award honors individuals and groups that have made substantial contributions to increasing public understanding and appreciation of science and engineering in the United States. These contributions may be in the arts, media, education or training programs. 

Candidates for the Science and Society Award should have demonstrated outstanding leadership and accomplishment in two out of three selection criteria:

  • Enhanced public understanding and appreciation of science and technology.
  • Inspired scientists and engineers to engage with individuals of all ages in schools, civic groups and other communities to address society's needs.
  • Fostered diversity in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The Science and Society Award was previously named The Public Service Award. It was renamed in 2023.

 

Nominations are closed for the 2025 Science and Society awards. 

NSB will announce awardees in the spring of 2025. 

 

Recent recipients

2024 group award: AdvanceKentucky Influencer Model

Sheri McGuffin 
AdvanceKentucky STEM Coordinator 
Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation 

Eric Wooldridge 
Professor 
Somerset Community College

For their high-impact and accessible additive manufacturing educational training programs that have reached thousands of students in Kentucky.

Read the press release. 

2024 group award: National Association of Inventors

Director and Founder, Paul Sanberg on behalf of the National Academy of Inventors

For its engaging and inclusive initiatives to strengthen and diversify the innovation economy and inventors.

Read the press release.

2023 group award: New York Hall of Science

For its innovative approach to promoting informal and equitable science and technology learning.

Read the press release. 

2023 group award: EngineerGirl

For its engaging initiative to create a more inclusive and nurturing community for budding young female engineers.

Read the press release. 

2022 group award: National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE®, pronounced no-be-shay) 

For encouraging diversity and accelerating the advancement of African American, Black, and other people of color in academics, professions and entrepreneurship in chemistry, chemical engineering, and STEM fields.

Read the press release. 

2022 individual award: Betty Lise Anderson 
Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering 
The Ohio State University

For her exemplary work and unwavering devotion in enhancing the public’s understanding of science and engineering, and for fostering the next generation of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics enterprise through K-12 engineering outreach programs.

Read the press release. 

2021 individual award: William S. Hammack, 
William H. and Janet G. Lycan Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign & 
Creator and Host of "The Engineer Guy" on YouTube

For being a communications leader and pioneering uses of new media to explain science and engineering to the public.

Read the press release. 

2021 individual award: William M. Jackson, 
Distinguished Research and Emeritus Professor and 
Founder of the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE)

For his advocacy for the participation of minority students in the sciences by founding the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) and the uses of cutting-edge laser technology to the study of the formation of observed atoms and molecules in astronomy.

Read the press release.

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