Public Service Award Recipients

2021

2021 Public Service Award (to an individual)

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

2021 Public Service Award (to an individual)

"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."

2020

2020 Public Service Award (to an individual)

"For inspiring generations of young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators through the Society for Science & the Public, a nonprofit organization best known for its world-class science competitions, impactful STEM equity and inclusion programs and award-winning magazine, Science News."

2020 Public Service Award (to an individual)

"For being a world leader in all aspects of “access technology” through research, education, mentoring, public service and public advocacy and for the extraordinary impact made on the lives of individuals with disabilities around the world."

2019

2019 Public Service Award (to an individual)

Credit: NSF/Allison Shelley

"For dedicated public service in national science policy and science education as a world-renowned plant biologist working tirelessly to advance public understanding and creating high quality research opportunities for students, inspiring a new generation of plant scientists."

2019 Public Service Award (to a group)

Credit: NSF/Allison Shelley

"For enhancing scientific and engineering literacy in minority communities with the inception—more than 32 years ago—of their annual Black Engineer of the Year Awards, opening the doors of discovery and innovation to minorities and women and their pursuit of careers in and contributions to engineering and science across the nation."

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2018

2018 Public Service Award (to an individual)

Credit: NSF/Rich Riggins

"For inspiring generations of young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators through the founding of FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), whose vision is “to transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders."

2018 Public Service Award (to a group)

Credit: NSF/Rich Riggins

"For three decades of leadership promoting the critical role of science and engineering in enhancing U.S. productivity and raising the standard of living of all Americans and through an agenda focused on technological innovation, national security, the future of work, energy, and advanced manufacturing."

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2017

2017 Public Service Award (to an individual)

Credit: Sandy Schaeffer Photography

"For advancing science education; leading competition programs that increased the public’s appreciation for science and technology; and for inspiring, through his teachings and curriculum work, the next generation of practicing scientists, engineers, and educators."

2017 Public Service Award (to a group)

Credit: Sandy Schaeffer Photography

"For pioneering STEM education initiatives that inspire students with innovative, project-based, hands-on learning; and for fostering awareness and enthusiasm in students to pursue careers in STEM fields, critical to the needs of our nation."

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2016

2016 Public Service Award (to a group)

Credit: Sandy Schaeffer Photography

"For fostering scientific discovery and stewardship of the world’s oceans through academically rigorous and challenging programs that include sea voyages and oceanographic research."

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2015

2015 Public Service Award (to a group)

Credit: Sandy Schaeffer Photography

"For fostering public understanding of science through scientific research, improving the teaching and learning of science, and training and encouraging the next generation of scientists. "

2015 Public Service Award (to a group)

Ioannis Miaoulis,
President, Museum of Science, Boston
and
Vinton Cerf,
Chair, NSB Honorary Awards Committee 
Press Release

Credit: Sandy Schaeffer Photography

"For advancing public understanding of engineering and science and for pioneering and championing the introduction of engineering education in K-12 schools nationwide."

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2014

2014 Public Service Award (to an individual)

Credit: Sandy Schaeffer Photography

"For his outstanding leadership, extraordinary commitment, and exceptional communication initiatives to raise public awareness and understanding of the ethical and social dimensions of science and engineering innovations. "

2014 Public Service Award (to a group)

Credit: Sandy Schaeffer Photography

"For providing S&T expertise to enhance policymaking for the benefit of the nation, and fostering a network of science and engineering leaders who understand government and policymaking, and are prepared to develop and execute solutions to address societal challenges."

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2013

2013 Public Service Award (to an individual)

Jo Anne Vasquez,
Vice President and Program Director - Arizona Transition Years - Teacher and Curriculum Initiatives,
Helios Education Foundation
and
Alan Leshner,
Chair, Committee on Honorary Awards and Member, National Science Board.
Press Release

Photographer: Sandy Schaeffer

"For her outstanding commitment, extraordinary leadership, and tireless efforts to promote excellence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education."

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2012

2012 Public Service Award (to an individual)

"For his extensive, broad outreach to the public that bridges the chasm between science and popular culture as well as science and public policy through his popular books and lectures, editorials in major newspapers and magazines, regular columns in scientific journals, musical performances, and television documentaries and news programs."

2012 Public Service Award (to a group)

"For its decades-long commitment to deep, thoughtful, and engaging coverage of science that offers compelling explanations of important and complex issues as an integral part of its public-service broadcast mission."

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2011

2011 Public Service Award (to an individual)

Moira A. Gunn,
Host, Tech Nation and BioTech Nation
Managing Director of Biotechnology Programs, University of San Francisco
and
France Córdova,
Chair, Committee on Honorary Awards and Member, National Science Board
Press Release

"For extraordinary contributions to the education of the public and promotion of science and technology through a national weekly radio program, with commentaries on scientific issues and in-depth interviews, for a broad public audience."

2011 Public Service Award (to a group)

France Córdova,
Chair, Committee on Honorary Awards and Member, National Science Board
Press Release

"For pioneering efforts to increase public understanding of the processes of science and engineering through hands-on interactivity within a museum learning center; fostering awareness of science, engineering, and technology to the education community; and encouraging and influencing the next generation of scientists and engineers."

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2010

2010 Public Service Award (to an individual)

"For her groundbreaking research in forest canopy science, and for her outstanding and truly unique achievements in public service in science through forging connections with the general public and involving non-traditional audiences in her scientific research."

2010 Public Service Award (to a group)

"For its decades-long commitment to the early development of interest in mathematics and science among young women, making significant strides toward its goal to develop a pool of qualified women to undertake careers in mathematics, science, and engineering."

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2009

2009 Public Service Award (to an individual)

Roald Hoffmann,
Frank H. T. Rhodes Professor Emeritus of Humane Letters
and Professor Emeritus of Chemistry, Cornell University
and
Jo Anne Vasqez,
Chair, NSB Public Service Award Committee
Press Release

"For his extensive, broad-reaching, and diverse contributions to educating the public about science and, more specifically, fostering appreciation of the relevance of chemistry to culture and understanding of the essential role of chemistry in the world."

2009 Public Service Award (to a group)

"For the outstanding and decades-long contributions of the Project SEED program in fostering interest in chemistry as a career and encouraging achievement in science, mathematics, and engineering among students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds."

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2008

2008 Public Service Award (to a group)

"For exemplary commitment to improving U.S. science education; contributing to the development of a diverse science, technology, engineering, and mathematics pipeline of students and future innovators; and fostering public science literacy."

2008 Public Service Award (to a group)

"For outstanding dedication to the education and career development of student and professional engineers; leadership in developing standards for technology and safety in the transportation industry; and contributions to the advancement of mathematics, science, and engineering education."

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2007

2007 Public Service Award (to an individual)

"For extraordinary contributions to promote science literacy and cultivate the intellectual and emotional links between science and the arts for the public."

2007 Public Service Award (to a group)

"For innovative use of the entertainment medium to promote interest in mathematics education and mathematic applications in everyday life."

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2006

2006 Public Service Award (to an individual)

"For his contagious enthusiasm in fostering wonder and discovery by bringing complex scientific concepts to all audiences through television and the dramatic arts."

2006 Public Service Award (to an individual)

"For his outstanding promotion of science education, dedicated commitment to the public's understanding of science, and positive influence on science and technology policy."

2006 Public Service Award (to a group)

"For excellence and innovation in informal science education to advance public understanding of science among diverse audiences worldwide."

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2005

2005 Public Service Award (to an individual)

"For promoting scientific interest and knowledge through his informative discussions on science, technology, health, space, and the environment through his weekly radio broadcast to a worldwide audience."

2005 Public Service Award (to a group)

"For innovative use of the entertainment medium to promote interest in mathematics education and mathematic applications in everyday life."

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2004

2004 Public Service Award (to an individual)

"For his enhancement of the international and national public's appreciation of science in our lives through his writings concerning the links between the brain and the mind."

2004 Public Service Award (to a group)

"For its innovative use of traditional media - books, radio, public television - and its pioneering efforts in theater and commercial television and films to advance public understanding of science and technology."

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2003

2003 Public Service Award (to an individual)

"For her accomplishments as an explorer of Earth and space, a science educator, and a role models for girls and young women."

2003 Public Service Award (to a group)

"For its achievement in bringing together scientists and science writers for the purpose of improving the quality of science news reaching the public."

2003 Public Service Award (to a group)

"For its achievement in broadcasting explanations of research and everyday science to a worldwide audience."

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2002

2002 Public Service Award (to an individual)

"For her promotion of public understanding of the importance of science, the scientific method, and science education and the role of evolution in science education."

2002 Public Service Award (to a group)

"For its creative approaches encouraging Latinos and Native Americans to pursue graduate education and careers in science, mathematics, technology, and engineering."

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2001

2001 Public Service Award (to an individual)

"For her enhancement of the public's understanding of the role of science in our lives and for fostering awareness of science and technology amont broad segments of the general public."

2001 Public Service Award (to a group)

"For her enhancement of the public's understanding of the role of science in our lives and for fostering awareness of science and technology amont broad segments of the general public."

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2000

2000 Public Service Award (to an individual)

"For a lifetime of film and radio reporting, writings, especially book reviews in Scientific American, and serving as role models and teachers for generations of students"

2000 Public Service Award (to a group)

"For its pioneering influence on increasing public understanding of science, mathematics and engineering through science fairs, national and international science competitions, and the publication of Science News"

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1999

1999 Public Service Award (to an individual)

"For his lifetime of work encompassing the history and methods of science through his research, teaching and communication of science to the public as an author of scientific literature that inspires and educates."

1999 Public Service Award (to a group)

"For its masterful presentations of the sciences to the younger generation, thus encouraging and fostering an awareness and appreciation of science and technology."

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1998

1998 Public Service Award (to an individual)

"For her lifetime work communicating the results of her research to the broadest possible publics, and for her continued advocacy for the participation of young people and adults in the scientific enterprise."

1998 Public Service Award (to a group)

"For its clear, accurate, and wide-ranging programs exploring every aspect of science, and for NOVA's major influence on commercial broadcast and cable channels."

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