tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64475311129742647402024-02-07T19:47:32.646-05:00So-cie-nciaMusings from a boricua at the intersection of science, education and societyMónicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09183706069969359921noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447531112974264740.post-66252397977678787132013-04-02T05:49:00.003-04:002013-04-02T05:49:46.346-04:00Science outreach: the forgotten victim of the sequester
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A couple of weeks ago, a </span><a href="http://scienceblogs.com/startswithabang/2013/03/22/the-end-of-nasas-education-and-public-outreach/"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">leaked internal memo from NASA</span></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> revealed that the agency is suspending
its education and public outreach programs in response to the sequester.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The effects of this decision are
devastating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>NASA is one of the most
publicly recognized science and research agencies in the U.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The agency’s astronauts, missions,
awe-inspiring images and discoveries have motivated many of us to pursue
careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>NASA was able to accomplish this mainly
because of its educational and public outreach programs, which are now in
jeopardy.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NASA logo (Wikicommons).</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This memo advises the suspension of all
“<strong><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">public engagement and outreach
events, programs, activities, and products</span></strong><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>developed and implemented by Headquarters, Mission Directorates,
and Centers across the agency.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
means that the programs that bring astronauts like </span><a href="http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/acaba-jm.html"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Joseph Acaba</span></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> and </span><a href="http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/williams-s.html"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sunita Williams</span></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> to classrooms full of excited kids; or
</span><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/news/releases/2012/JO12-006.html"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4-million-year-old pieces of lunar rock</span></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> to a museum near you will come to a
screeching halt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also means that the </span><a href="http://marsed.asu.edu/"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">workshops</span></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> training teachers to help them bring
the science of Mars exploration to their classrooms will be left hanging.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">NASA’s decision to suspend its education and
public outreach programs is questionable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, what is most concerning about this move is what it could mean
for the future of science in the United States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What if these cuts become blueprint for
future budget cuts?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if other
agencies follow suit? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Education and public outreach programs
are vital to the most important partnership in modern American society: the
public funding of science.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks to
these programs, agencies that receive taxpayer money to fund their research
endeavors—such as NASA— can have a conversation with the public, to keep them
informed about their latest discoveries</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">,
their importance, benefits and possible consequences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By promoting awareness and understanding of
science, education and public outreach programs help the public make informed
decisions about health, technology, the environment and public policy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The endangerment of science education
and public outreach programs by the sequester jeopardizes our nation’s
leadership in science, technology and innovation in several ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">The
suspension of education and public outreach activities</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> deprives our future generations of
programs that spark their curiosity, encouraging them to innovate and dream
big.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">The scientists and engineers that could have been, may never get to
be, because the programs designed to get them interested in science are under
serious threat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Our economy will also suffer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is projected that by </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">2050 the job market for careers in science and technology is
likely to be in high demand. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of these
jobs are in the top earning quartile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How are we supposed to train the scientists and engineers that will
sustain the economy, if we don’t have the programs to engage them with science
in the first place? </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Cuts to America’s education and public outreach
programs not only jeopardize the training of future generations of STEM
professionals, but the educational success of our youth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Science education and public outreach
programs foster the development of critical thinking, problem solving and math skills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These skills are crucial for educational and
professional success, whether you become a scientist or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Undoubtedly, the
suspension of education and public outreach programs will save NASA money: </span><a href="http://cosmiclog.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/25/17447739-nasas-hold-on-outreach-sparks-outcry-uwingu-aims-to-help-fill-gap#.UVESmBLGydw.twitter"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">approximately $130 million</span></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">, less than 1% of the NASA’s </span><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/632669main_NASA_FY13_Budget_Agency-Summary-508.pdf"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">$17.8 billion budget</span></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But… at
what cost? </span></div>
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<em>The opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not reflect an official position of the institutions and organizations I am affiliated with.</em>Mónicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09183706069969359921noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447531112974264740.post-78686880784560005712012-10-30T18:38:00.000-04:002013-08-01T14:49:57.332-04:00Mentorship is golden<style>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By
<a href="http://cienciapr.org/user/moefeliu"><span style="color: blue;">Mónica I.
Feliú-Mójer</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“A
mentor is somebody willing to fight for you the battles nobody else is willing
to fight.” – <a href="http://www.pathwaystoscience.org/Profiles.asp?student=CamacErika"><span style="color: blue;">Dr. Erika T. Camacho</span></a> (who was mentored by <a href="http://www.thefutureschannel.com/jaime_escalante.php"><span style="color: blue;">THE Jaime Escalante</span></a>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It
could be said a good mentor is worth his or her weight in gold. A good
mentor counsels, encourages, supports, guides, and listens, among many other
things. Mentors can come in many shapes or forms. They can be family,
friends, colleagues, teachers, professors, neighbors and even complete strangers.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mentorship
can be and should be a mutually beneficial relationship for the mentor and the
mentee. It is important for the personal and professional development of
both parties. At some point of our lives, each and every one of us has
benefited from having a mentor (and hopefully from being one). However, I can’t
think of a career in which mentorship is a key factor of success more than in
science. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When
it comes to becoming a scientist, mentorship is invaluable. Being a
research scientist is a hands-on learning experience. There is no book or
step-by-step guide on how to become a successful scientist. One learns
how to be a scientist from a mentor (or rather mentors). How to plan, do
and interpret experiments; write papers or grant proposals; choose your next
career steps; navigate the academic and professional landscape. A good
mentor can be a role model, a source of experience and insights, and someone to
identify with. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Personally,
the support and advice from my mentors has helped me achieve my goals; it has
kept me focused and balanced. The best advice I ever got is to have
multiple mentors, figure out what they do best and learn how they do it.
I have been fortunate to have many excellent mentors (family, friends, professors,
colleagues), and they are a constant source of inspiration. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Recently,
I went to the <a href="https://sacnas.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=42"><span style="color: blue;">Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native
Americans in Science (SACNAS) National Conference</span></a> in Seattle,
Washington. This was my first SACNAS conference and it was GREAT. The
scientific quality of the talks and the poster presentations was fantastic
(special shout-out to all of the undergrads). There were scientists from
all fields and academic levels. What I was most impressed with was the
great sense of community and culture, and the emphasis placed on the importance
of mentorship and networking. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now,
I am currently writing my doctoral dissertation, which can be tedious at times,
so the SACNAS Conference represented a welcomed break. But, being at
SACNAS was more than that. It was inspiring, re-energizing and
enlightened. As a scientist, nothing compares to the thrill of discovery
and of contributing to the advancement of knowledge. However, one of the
greatest opportunities that being a scientist has provided me is the
opportunity to be a mentor. It is simple. Someone did it for me
once (actually multiple someones and more than once), so now it’s my turn to <b>pay
it forward</b>. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXgy128xnwBYHRqnF8WYXkH9lO6bTIJJMXikFYWKgTrKPRLWjBhR9xVC2LlLu3fTu0_5UJ9mnOq6hVyDbnpmNyIDH2KNP5xWkGecx_lfkz1BdS62ARxu0vDwuNk2lt_ri-X5X3Gz6oQI/s1600/IMG_0870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXgy128xnwBYHRqnF8WYXkH9lO6bTIJJMXikFYWKgTrKPRLWjBhR9xVC2LlLu3fTu0_5UJ9mnOq6hVyDbnpmNyIDH2KNP5xWkGecx_lfkz1BdS62ARxu0vDwuNk2lt_ri-X5X3Gz6oQI/s320/IMG_0870.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mentorship in action!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Coming
in, I knew that mentoring is at the core of SACNAS activities. However, I
was in for a treat. I was able to see old friends and colleagues that I
rarely get to see. I was also able to represent my country (Puerto Rico),
my alma mater (<a href="http://uprb.edu/"><span style="color: blue;">¡Vaqueros,
ahí!</span></a>), my current school (<a href="http://www.harvard.edu/"><span style="color: blue;">Go Crimson!</span></a>) and <a href="http://www.cienciapr.org/"><span style="color: blue;">Ciencia Puerto Rico</span></a>
(the coolest thing I’ve ever been a part of). At SACNAS there were a LOT
of mentors. It didn’t matter if they were a first-generation college student, a
SACNAS Board Member, a future astronaut or a potential Nobel Prize winner. They
were all equally passionate about science, education and mentorship. They
were willing to talk to you, and more importantly, they were willing to listen
to you and <a href="http://cienciapr.org/monthly-story/chemistry-going-mentee-mentor"><span style="color: blue;">share their insights</span></a>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Someone
I was really inspired by is Octavio Pierre Romero, who won the <a href="http://sacnas.org/news/sacnas-honor-six-leaders-science-research-mentoring-teaching"><span style="color: blue;">2012 Distinguished Community College Mentor Award</span></a>.
Half Mexican and half Cherokee, when Octavio got on stage, he thanked his
ancestors and those who had carved the path he was walking before him. He
was emotional (and so was I. I’ll admit it I got teary-eyed, but then again I
am a bit of a crier). Above all he was THANKFUL. Not only for the recognition,
but also for the people that had helped him get where he is right
now. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mr.
Romero’s speech embodied the spirit of the conference. Mentors are
trailblazers. They know how it is and what it takes to develop into and
perform successfully as a scientist. They have faced and conquered the
challenges. By way of their success and experience, they have great insight
into ideas and opportunities; they can be connectors and influencers. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One
of the biggest hurdles faced by underrepresented minorities in Science,
Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is the lack of role models
and/or mentors they can identify with.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
lack of mentors and role models with a shared background reinforces the biases
and stereotypes against minorities in these fields. Mentorship is key to
preventing the high attrition levels of minorities in the scientific training
pipeline. Mentors can lead the way to help make STEM fields more diverse and representative.
After all, the scientific enterprise is enriched by the variety of thoughts,
experiences and ideas contributed by diversity.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As
I am sitting on my desk, taking a little break from thesis writing (yes, I take
them somewhat often, for the sake of sanity) to write this, I set my eyes on a
thank you note I received from one of my mentees after the SACNAS
Conference. “You have contributed to my development as a scientist and a
person. You are living proof that you don’t have to see or have someone
close (she is in Puerto Rico, I am in Boston) to be able to call them a
mentor.” Now THAT is worth gold.</span></div>
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Mónicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09183706069969359921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447531112974264740.post-78524351164485462502012-10-28T12:34:00.001-04:002012-10-28T13:15:57.773-04:00"Mírame, soy fuerte"<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Chalkduster;">No es mi costumbre colgar escritos personales en este foro, pero el día de hoy lo amerita. Mis sobrinos Johnerik e Iliana son las luces de mis ojos. Ellos me motivan, me inspiran y me hacen mejor persona.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Chalkduster;"><br /></span></div>
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<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Chalkduster;">¡Feliz cumpleaños, Johnerik! Gracias por
dejarme ser tu tía y tu amiga. Siempre adelante, que si te caes pa’ atrás, aquí
voy a estar yo. ¡Te amo! Esta mañana me inspiré, y te dedico esto.</span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoL7M37D6ANmcIq31TPxigFvN_awgOnPhdTUPdxUQPWs04RUxGlp4sGXhxahj7nH75BDGDHdo0Epqid7UfbPblWVin-Sv0Aq_KTCOmvhvE1kvobfvZu1-ebzDJe1Nqmcq5DcAU4HgQ39Y/s1600/Johnerik.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoL7M37D6ANmcIq31TPxigFvN_awgOnPhdTUPdxUQPWs04RUxGlp4sGXhxahj7nH75BDGDHdo0Epqid7UfbPblWVin-Sv0Aq_KTCOmvhvE1kvobfvZu1-ebzDJe1Nqmcq5DcAU4HgQ39Y/s1600/Johnerik.jpeg" width="163" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Titi, mírame, soy fuerte"</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Chalkduster;">“Titi, mírame, soy
fuerte.” Tenías más o menos dos años y lo tuyo era la pelota. La gorra, el
bate, la bola. “Voy a ser pelotero, titi.” </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Chalkduster;">Las cosas han
cambiado. El amor por la pelota se convirtió en amor por la patineta (el
verdadero amor de tu vida). El sueño de ser pelotero se convirtió en la
realidad de ser <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ejkeiter</i>. Cada vez
que veo tus <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiqPbTzN11Y" target="_blank">videos</a> y tus <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mundorad/7838683298/" target="_blank">fotos</a> se me llena el alma de orgullo. Hoy en día tu
patineta te lleva alto y le pone ruedas a tus sueños. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Chalkduster;">Hoy, que cumples tus
21 años, se me llena la cabeza de recuerdos y reflexiono. Pienso en que hoy en
día eres un hombre que vive, que ama, que sueña. También pienso en lo vieja que
me haces sentir, aunque para ser justos, me hiciste una tía joven. Sobre todo,
pienso en lo que significa para mí la alegría de que seas mi sobrino. La
alegría de verte luchar por lo que quieres. De conocer tu corazón de oro. La
certeza de saber que a pesar de que las cosas a veces no son fáciles y que has
cometido errores (¿y quién no?), has sabido manejar las curvas que te ha tira’o la
vida. (Discúlpame la metáfora pelotera, es que de patinetas no me sé ninguna). Hoy
mientras celebro tus 21 años de vida en la distancia, recuerdo aquel episodio
hace más o menos 19 años atrás y me digo que tenías razón. Johnerik, eres
fuerte.</span></div>
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Mónicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09183706069969359921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447531112974264740.post-34721447682191510162012-10-25T21:37:00.001-04:002012-10-25T21:53:33.585-04:00Engaging Underrepresented Communities with Science Using Social Networking Platforms<style>
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</style><span style="font-family: inherit;">By <a href="http://cienciapr.org/user/moefeliu">Mónica I. Feliú-Mójer</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Although Hispanics comprise
16% of the total population in the United States, they remain largely
underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
degrees and careers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">This underrepresentation of Hispanics
in science is problematic on several levels. The attrition of Hispanics among
the ranks of scientists limits our ability as a society to benefit from the
full range of talent and minds. The scientific enterprise is enriched by the
variety of thoughts, experiences and ideas contributed by diversity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lack of diversity among the research
workforce is <a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12984">detrimental
for innovation</a> and can also have the effect of <a href="http://report.nih.gov/FileLink.aspx?rid=760">decreasing the diversity of
research topics</a>, particularly those that pertain to Hispanics. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Many barriers have been found
to contribute to the disproportionately low numbers of Hispanics in science,
including insufficient guidance and mentoring, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">lack of
culturally-relevant science information and lack of access to education and
professional resources</span>.<span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, social
networking platforms have emerged as powerful tools to help knock down some of
these barriers.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Social networking websites
can help democratize access to knowledge and provide new opportunities for
fellowship and mentorship by linking groups from resource-limited geographical
regions with others in resource-rich centers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Science is a global activity and, with the Latino scientific community
dispersed over a wide geographic area, a virtual space that brings individuals
of that scientific diaspora together represents a powerful and innovative way
to address the challenges faced by Hispanics in science and technology. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">This is precisely the type of
space the non-profit grassroots organization Ciencia Puerto Rico has
established.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our <a href="http://cienciapr.org/about/team">volunteer-run</a> networking platform, <a href="http://www.cienciapr.org/">CienciaPR.org</a>, brings together the
geographically dispersed Puerto Rican scientific community under a virtual
collaborative space, and uses their collective knowledge-wealth and expertise
to engage the public in science; to serve as role models and mentors for the
next generations of scientists; and to promote the development of science
endeavors in the Puerto Rican archipelago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">I</span>n just<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">
</span>six<span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;">y</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">a</span>rs the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
</span>w<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>b<span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">s</span>i<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">t</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>’s m<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>mbe<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">r</span>ship h<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>s
in<span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">c</span>r<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">e</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>s<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>d
to over 6,100 members un<span style="letter-spacing: .15pt;">d</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>rs<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">c</span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">o</span>ring<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>the
strong<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>in<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">t</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">r</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>st
and n<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">e</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>d <span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">f</span>or<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>such<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
a</span>n <span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>n<span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">d</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">ea</span>v<span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">o</span>r.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">By encouraging user participation and the
exchange of knowledge and ideas, social networks foster a sense of community
and facilitate the creation of user-driven initiatives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For instance, <a href="http://www.cienciapr.org/">CienciaPR.org</a> provides people with common
interests – science, research and Puerto Rico – with the tools, information and
resources to help them forge collaborations and mentoring relationships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ideas and shared interests of the members
of Ciencia Puerto Rico’s online community have fueled our organization’s most
successful initiatives.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Over the years, <span style="letter-spacing: .15pt;">b</span>y<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">n</span>g<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">a</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">g</span>i<span style="letter-spacing: .15pt;">n</span>g<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>i<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">t</span>s memb<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>rship
<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>nd lev<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>ra<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">g</span>i<span style="letter-spacing: .15pt;">n</span>g<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>i<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">t</span>s br<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">e</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>dth a<span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">n</span>d
r<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">e</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">ac</span>h,
C<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">i</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">n</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">c</span>iaPR<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span>h<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>s
<span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">b</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">ee</span>n
<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>ble to i<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">m</span>plem<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>nt a<span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;"> </span>number<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>of
<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">f</span>o<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">r</span><span style="letter-spacing: .15pt;">m</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>l
and info<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">r</span>mal s<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">c</span>ien<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">c</span>e<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> e</span>du<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">c</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>t<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">i</span>on
in<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">i</span>t<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">i</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>t<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">i</span>v<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>s that have<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">c</span>ontribut<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>d to <span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">t</span>he<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>te<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">ac</span>hi<span style="letter-spacing: .15pt;">n</span>g<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>nd <span style="letter-spacing: .15pt;">l</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">ea</span>rni<span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">n</span>g<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>of<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> s<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">c</span>ien<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">c</span>e<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> in
Puerto Rico </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>nd the suppo<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">r</span>t <span style="letter-spacing: .15pt;">o</span>f
s<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">c</span>ientists at v<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>rious st<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">a</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">g</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>s
<span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">o</span>f th<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>ir
tr<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>in<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">i</span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">n</span>g<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>nd<span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">ca</span>r<span style="letter-spacing: .2pt;">e</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>r.
Some<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>of th<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">s</span>e <span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>f<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">f</span>o<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">r</span>ts <span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">i</span>n<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">c</span>lude i<span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">n</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">c</span>re<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>sing
cont<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>nt about <span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">P</span>u<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>rto
R<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">ic</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>n
sci<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>nt<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">i</span>sts<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;"> </span>or <span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">re</span>s<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">e</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>r<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">c</span>h<span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;"> </span>p<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>r<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">f</span>o<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">r</span>med
in <span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">P</span>u<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">e</span>rto Rico in <a href="http://cienciapr.org/about/partners">loc<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>l print, <span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">ra</span>dio, and online n<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>ws
m<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>dia</a>;<span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">publishing </span><a href="http://cienciapr.org/book-ciencia-boricua?language=en">a<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>book of<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>ss<span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">a</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;">y</span>s</a><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">r</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>lating<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">
</span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">s</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">c</span>ientific stories contextualized and culturally-relevant manner;
<span style="letter-spacing: .15pt;">o</span>f<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">f</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">e</span>ring <a href="http://cienciapr.org/workshops-book-ciencia-boricua">wo<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">r</span>kshops<span style="letter-spacing: .15pt;">
</span>to <span style="letter-spacing: .15pt;">K</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">-</span>12 te<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">ac</span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">h</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>rs</a>
to <span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">c</span>omp<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">l</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>ment their<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> c</span>lass<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>s<span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;"> </span>with cont<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">x</span>tuali<span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">z</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>d <span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">ac</span>t<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">i</span>vi<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">t</span>ies;
<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>nd pi<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">l</span>ot<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">i</span>ng<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span><a href="http://cienciapr.org/project-ciencia-boricua">pr<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">o</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">g</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">r</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>m</a>
<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">t</span>o <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/111171209/Executive-Summary-External-Evaluation-Ciencia-Boricua-Project">inc<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">r</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">e</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>se students’ int<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>r<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">e</span>st <span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">i</span>n <span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>nd
<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">a</span>w<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>r<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">e</span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">n</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>ss of s<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">c</span>ie<span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">n</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">c</span>e<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> a</span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">n</span>d<span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;"> </span>s<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">c</span>ientific<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> c</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">a</span>r<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">e</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">e</span>rs</a>.
</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">I</span>n <span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">a</span>ddi<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">t</span>ion <span style="letter-spacing: .05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">t</span>o these<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;"> </span>in<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">i</span>t<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">i</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">a</span>t<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">i</span>v<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">e</span>s, <span style="letter-spacing: .05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">C</span>ien<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">c</span>iaPR<span style="letter-spacing: .3pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;"> </span>uses so<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">c</span>ial media<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;"> </span>n<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">e</span>twor<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">k</span>i<span style="letter-spacing: .15pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">n</span>g<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;"> </span>plat<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">f</span>o<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">r</span>ms (i.e. <span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/cienciapr">F<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">a</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">ce</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">book</span></a></span>, <span style="letter-spacing: .1pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/cienciapr">T<span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">wit</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">t</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">r</span></a> and <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/groups/CienciaPR-1911741/about">LinkedIn</a></span>)<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;"> </span>to d<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">i</span>sseminate<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;"> </span>or<span style="letter-spacing: .1pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">i</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">g</span>inal s<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">c</span>ie<span style="letter-spacing: .1pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">n</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">c</span>e<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">a</span>rticl<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">e</span>s <span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">a</span>nd pod<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">ca</span>st<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">s</span>, <span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">a</span>s <span style="letter-spacing: .1pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">w</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">e</span>ll<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">a</span>s<span style="letter-spacing: .1pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;"> </span>other<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;"> re</span>le<span style="letter-spacing: .1pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">v</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">a</span>nt ne<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">w</span>s and<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">s</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">c</span>ien<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">c</span><span style="letter-spacing: .2pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">e</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">-</span>r<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">e</span><span style="letter-spacing: .15pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">l</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">a</span>ted in<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">f</span>o<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">r</span>mati<span style="letter-spacing: .15pt; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">o</span>n.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">The lack of mentors that can
advice Latino students about the pathways towards STEM degrees and careers is a
<a href="http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12984">key contributing
factor</a> to their <a href="http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/nsf10300/">attrition
in the scientific training pipeline</a>. </span>A
good mentor and role model is an invaluable <a href="http://www.nature.com/naturejobs/2011/110728/full/nj7357-533a.html">source
of experience and insights</a>, someone to identify with, who knows how it is
and what it takes to develop into and perform successfully as a scientist or
engineer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: black;">Often,
</span>Latino youth have limited access to role models in their communities to
engage, mentor and empower them to go into science.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">To showcase role models in the Puerto
Rican scientific community, <span style="color: black;">roughly each month,
Ciencia Puerto Rico features a story </span>profiling the life and work of
Puerto Rican scientists:<span style="color: black;"> </span>their trajectory in
science, the relevance of their work and their personal journey through
science.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition to showcasing their
work, these stories speak of the challenges faced by these Puerto Rican
scientists, their drive to succeed and their will to give back to their
communities and be an example for future generations.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Online networking platforms like <a href="http://www.cienciapr.org/">CienciaPR.org</a> are uniquely poised to help
overcome the lack of <span style="color: black;">mentors among Latino students,
because they enable the far-reaching personalized mentoring relationships
needed to succeed in the scientific enterprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span>Our recently revamped platform provides a number of social
networking tools such as a private and secure messaging system; a <a href="http://cienciapr.org/forum">message board</a> where members can
"meet" and communicate with each other; maps of users; <a href="http://cienciapr.org/showing-our-new-digs">personal blogs</a>; and links
to members with similar interests. Besides encouraging the establishment of
mentoring and collaborative relationships through our social networking tools,
Ciencia Puerto Rico organizes social events at national scientific
conferences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These social events give
attendees the opportunity to share information about their research and careers
in Puerto Rico or abroad, and get to know fellow Puerto Rican scientists.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Although our initiatives have focused
primarily on Puerto Rico, we believe that the principles of community
participation and collaboration that guide CienciaPR can fuel the creation of
initiatives that can benefit all Hispanics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We hope our platform can serve as <span style="color: black;">a model to
help establish creative strategies that effectively tackle the issues of
scientific literacy, cultural relevance and access to mentors and resources for
minority populations.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><i>The topics discussed here were the subject of a professional development workshop organized by Ciencia Puerto Rico and presented on Oct. 11, 2012 at the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) National Conference. The panel included Dr. Yaihara Fortis-Santiago, AAAS Science & Technology Fellow and member of the CienciaPR team; Dr. Frances Colón-Hastings, Deputy Science and Technology Advisor for the Secretary of State Hilary Clinton; Dr. Wilson González-Espada, Associate Professor of Physics and Science Education at Morehead State University and part of the CienciaPR team; and Mónica Feliú-Mójer, Ph.D. candidate in Neuroscience at Harvard Medical School and vice-director of CienciaPR.</i></span></span></div>
Mónicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09183706069969359921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447531112974264740.post-77891989037046040442012-03-22T23:38:00.000-04:002012-03-22T23:38:19.380-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/F8UFGu2M2gM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Simple ideas, hard thinking and curiosity have led to the greatest of scientific discoveries. We all have these qualities in us. What are you waiting for?</span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Another great TED talk! </span></span></h6>Mónicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09183706069969359921noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447531112974264740.post-89440541970483016112012-03-15T22:02:00.001-04:002012-03-15T22:02:54.859-04:00Advancing society with science<div style="font-family: inherit;"><style>
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</style></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">(<i>Note: This is Ciencia Puerto Rico's <a href="http://cienciapr.org/" target="_blank">home page</a> for the month of March. I thought I would share here as well</i>)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The answer to many of the environmental, health, social and economic challenges faced by modern society lay in the advancement of science, engineering and innovation. Thus, scientists and engineers must play a role in making science accessible to the public they aim to help with their discoveries. </span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Organizations such as the </span><a href="http://www.aaas.org/"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> aim to </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">increase communication between the scientists and the public to </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“advance science and serve society.” </span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Recently, three Puerto Rican scientists received high honors from AAAS, during the society’s annual meeting, held February 16-20 in Vancouver, Canada. </span><a href="http://cienciapr.org/viewprofile.php?username=garci001"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Dr. Mariano García-Blanco</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;">, from Duke University, and </span><a href="http://cienciapr.org/viewprofile.php?username=quirk"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Dr. Gregory Quirk</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> from the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, were inducted as </span><a href="http://www.aaas.org/aboutaaas/fellows/"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Fellows of AAAS</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;">. Meanwhile, </span><a href="http://cienciapr.org/viewprofile.php?username=dacr"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Dr. Daniel Colón-Ramos</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> received the </span><a href="http://news.aaas.org/2012_annual_meeting/0215aaas-was-founded-in-1848.shtml"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">AAAS </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Early Career Award for Public Engagement with Science</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;">. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Unraveling the secrets of RNA </span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">For the last two decades, </span><a href="http://mgm.duke.edu/faculty/garcia/lab/lab/garcia_blanco.htm"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Dr. Mariano García-Blanco</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> has been studying the biology of RNA, an essential molecule for life. About six years ago, Mariano began a “scientific adventure” and rekindled his interest in flaviviruses—which he studied during his M.D., Ph.D. at Yale University—this time the one that causes dengue fever. “The dengue virus is an RNA virus, so we had the tools to study it,” says Mariano. </span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/dengue/"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Dengue fever</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> affects hundreds of millions of people and leads to tens of thousands of annual deaths. The disease is endemic in Mariano’s native Puerto Rico, so it was no stranger to him. However, it was not until Dr. García-Blanco traveled to Asia that he fully appreciated the economic and social consequences of dengue fever. “At first I wanted to understand dengue, but now curing it has become a mission,” he says with great conviction, “to help millions of people.” </span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Also, Mariano firmly believes in the social and economic prowess of science. Since 2005, Mariano has been a Trustee for the </span><a href="http://www.prsciencetrust.org/prsciencetrust/"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;">, working to build a sustainable knowledge-based economy in the archipelago. He also maintains “an intellectual exchange with the University of Puerto Rico. I teach there and bring students and scientists to train in my lab. It’s important for me to have that connection.”</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Mariano was inducted as a Fellow of AAAS in recognition for his contributions to our understanding of RNA biology, as well as his commitment to make social contributions through his science.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Science with purpose</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">After obtaining his Ph.D. from the State University of New York (SUNY), </span><a href="http://cienciapr.org/viewprofile.php?username=quirk"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Dr. Gregory Quirk</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> found himself questioning the point of science. His scientific ‘soul searching’ led him to Honduras, where he combined science and human rights, studying stress disorders in the families of the disappeared in this Latin American country. While still in Honduras, Gregory was awarded a prestigious Fulbright grant to set up the first neuroscience laboratory in the country, where he established a malnutrition model to study how malnourishment affects the brain. “These experiences helped me realize that if science is done in the right context, embraced in the right place, it can really benefit society,” he says.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">For 15 years, Gregory and </span><a href="http://www.md.rcm.upr.edu/quirk/"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">his group</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> (first at the Ponce School of Medicine and currently at the Medical Sciences Campus of the University of Puerto Rico) have studied the mechanisms of how the brain overcomes fear, hoping to better </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">comprehend anxiety disorders (such as phobias) and help define possible treatments.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Like Mariano, Gregory was just inducted as a Fellow of AAAS, for his contributions to understanding the mechanisms of fear conditioning in the brain and his efforts to enhance ethnic diversity in neuroscience. “</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Science must engage more of the world countries and cultures, if we are going to solve the big mysteries of the brain,” says this adopted Puerto Rican, originally from Connecticut. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“I made my career here (in Puerto Rico), from scratch.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> My laboratory is like a family. I would not trade doing science here for anything in the world.” </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The new generation</span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="http://medicine.yale.edu/cnnr/people/daniel_colon-ramos.profile"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Dr. Daniel Colón-Ramos</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;">, assistant professor at Yale University and director and co-founder of Ciencia Puerto Rico, completes the trio of Puerto Ricans making waves at AAAS. His work with </span><a href="http://cienciapr.org/"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Ciencia Puerto Rico</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;">—promoting science, research and scientific education in Puerto Rico— together with his contributions and success as a young researcher in neuroscience, earned Daniel the </span><a href="http://www.aaas.org/aboutaaas/awards/public_engagement/"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">2011 AAAS </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Early Career Award for Public Engagement with Science</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;">. </span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Daniel </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">is an exceptional model for the new generation of scientists and engineers,” said Alan I. Leshner, <span class="st">Chief Executive Officer of AAAS and Executive Publisher of the prestigious journal, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Science</i>. </span><span style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0.5pt;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“I am very honored by this award. However, this is truly a recognition of Ciencia Puerto Rico and the dedicated team of volunteers and collaborators that make the organization’s work happen,” says Daniel. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Six years ago, Daniel created Ciencia Puerto Rico, longing to stay connected with Puerto Rico and its scientific community in a way that provided meaningful social impact. “Ciencia Puerto Rico helps bridge the gap. It allows scientists like Mariano and Gregory to communicate with the public that will benefit from their research,” he said.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Despite their different backgrounds and research interests, Mariano, Gregory and Daniel are a great example of the impact that scientists can have and should on their communities. Through their work and commitment this trio not only promote help advance our society through their science, but they also demonstrate that there are no limits to Puerto Rican science.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43AZhg-yyDQNzSzcYsyN9KqxyfldLmv0Ii7cvzBfzYBOgSNe1bf8WAJlEM7mux8J5JbE3EMFzkYs0ZMrOAzuuf3g7yuw93NFMYlGTDq4_dICbU3PdTV9O0gi-2KhN9KuGm1Sttl3i-7o/s1600/DACR+recibiendo+premio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43AZhg-yyDQNzSzcYsyN9KqxyfldLmv0Ii7cvzBfzYBOgSNe1bf8WAJlEM7mux8J5JbE3EMFzkYs0ZMrOAzuuf3g7yuw93NFMYlGTDq4_dICbU3PdTV9O0gi-2KhN9KuGm1Sttl3i-7o/s320/DACR+recibiendo+premio.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel Colón Ramos with Agnes and Alan Leshner, CEO of AAAS.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Mónicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09183706069969359921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447531112974264740.post-70376141683654646822012-03-14T18:01:00.003-04:002012-03-15T18:15:27.903-04:00Cerebros Corazones<div style="font-family: inherit;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4LfQhwugRO2TaBjE5iH7yljye_V8fDsftGso0KHIxMSLfhQJo4INd0hXNzoPkj8GBRWkyGlmlxrwOZH7Klr_5buLsldgZAWrI7RWNRwpYKJHDV_sVuDwbaHp8Oz3zrzmvXnPRKIQ7NA/s1600/DSC03399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4LfQhwugRO2TaBjE5iH7yljye_V8fDsftGso0KHIxMSLfhQJo4INd0hXNzoPkj8GBRWkyGlmlxrwOZH7Klr_5buLsldgZAWrI7RWNRwpYKJHDV_sVuDwbaHp8Oz3zrzmvXnPRKIQ7NA/s320/DSC03399.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“</span><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Porque los Cerebros se están yendo.” <i>Magali García Ramis,<b> <a href="http://mruizmel.myweb.uga.edu/hipertextofinal.htm" target="_blank">Cerebros que se van corazón que se queda</a></b>, 1993</i></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-style: normal;">Han pasado casi 20 años desde de que se publicó esta historia. Sin embargo su premisa es tanto o más vigente que en aquel entonces. (Especial agradecimiento a mi amiga <a href="http://cienciapr.org/viewprofile.php?username=Yazi07" target="_blank">Yara</a>, por desempolvar y compartir la misma). </span></i></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-style: normal;">Esta semana el periódico estadounidense </span></i><i>USA Today</i><i><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-style: normal;"> publicó—en primera plana, ni más ni menos—una <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-03-11/puerto-rico-economy-brain-drain-exodus/53490820/1" target="_blank">historia</a> sobre la llamada fuga de cerebros que sufre la Isla del Encanto. Cerebro que se fuga: dícese de aquel profesional educado que se va para Allá (Estados Unidos) en búsqueda de mejores oportunidades y mejor calidad de vida de la que encuentra en Puerto Rico (Acá). Según el <a href="http://www.estadisticas.gobierno.pr/iepr/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=7G4LjzMFoEM%3d&tabid=165" target="_blank">Perfil del Migrante</a>, publicado por el <a href="http://www.estadisticas.gobierno.pr/iepr/" target="_blank">Instituto de Estadísticas de Puerto Rico</a> en el 2011, la mayoría de los Cerebros que se van son jóvenes (entre 15-34 años). En la última década, casi 300,000 Cerebros se han marchado para Allá.</span></i></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-size: large;">En <b><i><a href="http://mruizmel.myweb.uga.edu/hipertextofinal.htm" target="_blank">Cerebros que se van corazón que se queda</a></i></b>, García Ramis contrasta la experiencia del Cerebro que emigró, buscando <i>a better life</i>, con la del Corazón que se quedó en Puerto Rico, comiéndose la piña agria. El Cerebro, seso con patitas, se monta en un avión y se va para Allá buscando trabajo y cinco cifras gorditas; apartamentos sin rejas ni balcones tropicales; o servicios médicos, que “<a href="http://mruizmel.myweb.uga.edu/hipertextofinal.htm" target="_blank">siempre han de ser mejores quelos de Acá</a>.” El Corazón se queda Acá y todas las mañanas se chupa el tapón en el expreso; traga duro ante la rampante criminalidad, la politiquería y el alza en el costo de vida. </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-size: large;">Allá, al Cerebro la puertorriqueñidad le aflora: extraña la patria, la salsa y el bembé. <i>Yo soy boricua, pa’ que tu lo sepas</i>. Mientras, “</span><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://mruizmel.myweb.uga.edu/hipertextofinal.htm" target="_blank">el Corazón tiene muy desarrollados los brazos para abrazar a los Cerebros que tanta faltale hacen, que seguro tuvieron que irse, que están bien Allá, y quizás estaríanmejor Acá, pero que quién sabe</a>.”</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-size: large;">Esta historia me toca por que me es muy familiar. Yo soy uno de esos Cerebros que se fugó—a estudiar—Allá. Pero también soy un Corazón, que día a día vive más Acá que Allá. Vivo Acá desde Allá, por que mi corazón (el que hace tucu-tucu) se quedó Acá; por que lo primero que hago por las mañanas es ver el periódico de Acá; por que todo lo que hago Allá, lo hago para el beneficio de Acá, pero—por el momento—desde Allá. Como quien dice, yo soy un Cerebro Corazón. O por lo menos así me siento.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-size: large;">Y entonces me pregunto, ¿cómo pueden los de Allá ayudar a los de Acá y viceversa? ¿Cómo podemos extender puentes y acortar distancias? <br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-size: large;">Las redes sociales ofrecen una plataforma ideal para lograr este propósito. Como ya <a href="http://myemail.constantcontact.com/NiLP-FYI--CienciaPR---Networking-Latinos-in-Science-and-Technology.html?soid=1101040629095&aid=tMWWXtt4_jg" target="_blank">había escrito una vez</a> (refiriéndome al caso particular de <a href="http://www.cienciapr.org/" target="_blank">Ciencia Puerto Rico</a>) las redes sociales proveen una plataforma para que las personas—sin importar su localización geográfica—se comuniquen, intercambien ideas e información y se <b><i>conecten</i></b>, de manera fácil y efectiva.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-size: large;">En este <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/giovannirodriguez/2011/12/10/the-exiles-of-puerto-rico/" target="_blank">escrito en la revista Forbes</a>, <a href="http://gilthejenius.blogspot.com/2012/02/tedx-san-juan-giovanni-rodriguez-part.html" target="_blank">Giovanni Rodríguez</a>, director de mercadeo para Deloitte Postdigital Enterprise, propone que las redes sociales podrían permitirle a los Cerebros regresar Acá, virtualmente. Según Giovanni, las redes sociales podrían ayudar a los Cerebros, los Corazones, los Cerebros Corazones, los de Acá y los de Allá a formar una parranda. <i>La Parranda 2.0</i>. Precisamente a final de este mes, junto a Giovanni, estaré participando en un <a href="http://prsc2012.commons.yale.edu/program/panels/conprmetidos/" target="_blank">panel</a> organizado por <a href="http://about.me/conprmetidos" target="_blank">conPRmetidos</a> en la <a href="http://prsc2012.commons.yale.edu/" target="_blank">Conferencia de Estudiantes Puertorriqueños en la Universidad de Yale</a>, en el que abundaremos más sobre esta idea. <i>Stay tuned</i>.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-size: large;">La marcada emigración de puertorriqueños ha hecho que la nación borincana se extienda más allá del 100 x 35 (<a href="https://www.adendi.com/archivo.asp?Xnum=999299&year=2011&mon=6" target="_blank">según medidas recientes más bien 112 x 40</a>). Hoy día podríamos decir que Puerto Rico está donde quiera que se encuentre cada uno de nosotros, cuyo corazón pertenece a Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico somos los de Acá, los de Allá, los de Allá cuyas raíces familiares están Acá, y los que han adoptado Acá como su hogar. Nos une el amor patrio. El anhelo de ver a un Puerto Rico mejor, con una economía próspera. El deseo de ver a unos líderes políticos—y no politiqueros—que se enfoquen en trabajar por el beneficio del pueblo y <a href="http://latinorebels.com/2012/03/13/are-you-kidding-us-puerto-rico-political-attacks-about-1398-krispy-kreme-donuts/" target="_blank">no en las compritas escandalosas del oponente o las donitas de Krispy Kreme</a>. Nos mueve el anhelo de que cada puertorriqueño tenga acceso a una mejor educación y a mejores servicios de salud. El anhelo de que cada boricua cree conciencia y actue sobre la necesidad de cuidar nuestro medio ambiente y recursos naturales. Nos motiva el deseo de ver a Puerto Rico echando pa’lante y viviendo en PAZ. </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>Mónicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09183706069969359921noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6447531112974264740.post-84882256258886626462012-03-12T21:02:00.015-04:002012-03-14T21:40:20.461-04:00Sembrando ciencia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQHeSeApm5u1gDabGPvmjWJK9dRbNOC46PkLUHa0wfj1dx8oGVJhi3kHZWJNxEkWjm52YVLdt22P5AaIr5fczKGaz1HPOE7zdRLL3dMZEdLRjwcmyYtI_GGU33E9YJHj4Jad9lVSGx4M/s1600/Portada+Ciencia+Boricua.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQHeSeApm5u1gDabGPvmjWJK9dRbNOC46PkLUHa0wfj1dx8oGVJhi3kHZWJNxEkWjm52YVLdt22P5AaIr5fczKGaz1HPOE7zdRLL3dMZEdLRjwcmyYtI_GGU33E9YJHj4Jad9lVSGx4M/s320/Portada+Ciencia+Boricua.jpg" width="228" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-size: large;">“¿Y si publicamos un libro?” Cinco palabras que le dieron comienzo a una de las experiencias más gratificantes de mi vida.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-size: large;">La idea surgió durante una de tantas conversaciones con mis amigos de <a href="http://www.cienciapr.org/" target="_blank">Ciencia Puerto Rico</a>. Entonces, la meta estaba trazada: publicar el primer libro enfocado en las ciencias y Puerto Rico. Inspirados por el éxito de nuestra colaboración con <a href="http://www.elnuevodia.com/" target="_blank">El Nuevo Día</a>, nos embarcamos en una aventura llamada<a href="http://yfrog.com/721vlsj" target="_blank"> <i>¡Ciencia Boricua! Ensayos y anécdotas del científico puertorro</i></a>.</span><br />
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</style> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-size: large;">Cuando hace casi un década me fui de Puerto Rico para entrenarme como científica, lo hice con la meta de regresar y el propósito de utilizar mis experiencias para contribuir al avance de las ciencias en mi terruño. Mientras aún resido en el exterior, anticipo con mucho entusiasmo el momento de regresar a Puerto Rico. Mas el deseo de fomentar la curiosidad científica entre mis compatriotas es apremiante. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-size: large;">Hace seis años me crucé con la oportunidad perfecta para calmar esta inquietud: ser parte del <a href="http://cienciapr.org/about.php" target="_blank">equipo voluntario de Ciencia Puerto Rico</a>, una organización sin fines de lucro cuya plataforma virtual sirve de hogar para una vibrante comunidad comprometida con la promoción de las ciencias, la investigación y la educación científica en Puerto Rico.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-size: large;">Mediante una convocatoria, <a href="http://cienciapr.org/viewprofile.php?username=wgepr" target="_blank">Wilson González Espada</a>, <a href="http://cienciapr.org/viewprofile.php?username=dacr" target="_blank">Daniel Colón Ramos</a> y <a href="http://cienciapr.org/viewprofile.php?username=moefeliu" target="_blank">yo</a> invitamos a la comunidad de Ciencia Puerto Rico—que hoy agrupa a más de 5,700 miembros y continua creciendo—a poner su granito de arena en la </span><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-size: large;">educación de nuestros niños y nuestro pueblo mediante la redacción de ensayos que ilustraran la ciencia que vemos día a día en Puerto Rico o que explicaran conceptos básicos de la ciencia de una manera culturalmente relevante. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-size: large;">El pasado septiembre de 2011, la respuesta a esta convocatoria quedó evidenciada con tinta y papel. Dentro del marco de la Semana de las Biociencias y en la biblioteca del Ateneo Puertorriqueño, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE57doNYF-E" target="_blank">presentamos</a> a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB18eg2iJEQ" target="_blank"><i>¡Ciencia Boricua!</i></a>, como parte de la celebración del quinto aniversario de Ciencia Puerto Rico. ¡Qué mejor manera de festejar que regalando conocimiento al país y a los incipientes científicos de nuestro archipiélago!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-size: large;">Entre los asistentes a la presentación se encontraban varios de esos incipientes científicos, estudiantes de la Escuela Juan Ponce de León en el Barrio Juan Domingo de Caparra. Uno de ellos—una jovencita de no más de 12 años—se confesó aficionada a las ciencias y muy ilusionada por el hecho de que iba a conocer varios científicos esa tarde (uno de ellos esta servidora). “¿Por qué te gustan las ciencias?,” le pregunte tratando de contener el hecho de que yo estaba tanto o más entusiasmada de conocerla a ella. “Por que quiero entender el mundo que me rodea,” contestó.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-size: large;">Conmovida, al instante me transporte a mi niñez. <a href="http://www.topuertorico.org/city/vegaalta.shtml" target="_blank">Ñangotá</a> tratando de atrapar una avispa a los tres años (para el horror de mi pobre madre, que agraciadamente me detuvo a tiempo). Cazando lombrices pa’ alimentar a las gallinas realengas. Coleccionista de piedras provenientes del patio de mi casa. Criada en un campo que cuajó un interés científico motivado por qué yo también quería entender al mundo y a las personas que me rodeaban.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-size: large;">Recientemente la <a href="http://www.fundacionbancopopular.org/sobre-nosotros?post=580&lang=en#first4" target="_blank">Fundación Banco Popular</a> le otorgó fondos a Ciencia Puerto Rico para implementar un proyecto piloto—precisamente en la Escuela Juan Ponce de León— que utiliza el libro <i>¡Ciencia Boricua!</i> en el salón de clase, como herramienta para contextualizar las ciencias a la realidad puertorriqueña y de esa forma promover el interés científico en las generaciones más jóvenes.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-size: large;">Esta pasada semana recibimos este mensaje de la directora de la escuela:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0in 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-size: large;">“<i>Ayer </i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>estaba en la escuela. Observe unos estudiantes leyendo en el patio. Me acerco. Están leyendo el libro de </i></span><span style="font-size: large;">¡Ciencia Boricua! <i>(ayer [viernes] no había clases... los maestros tenían reunión... ¡los chicos vinieron a leer a la escuela!)</i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i><i>[Les] quería regalar lo que ví.”</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-size: large;">Como científica, la emoción de descubrir y contribuir al avance del conocimiento me motivan a diario a enfrentar los retos del quehacer científico. Sin embargo, al final del día, yo soy científica por que quiero beneficiar a mi prójimo; y sobre todo por que quiero ayudar a forjar un futuro mejor para mi Puerto Rico. Cada vez que con renuencia tengo que dejar el suelo patrio para regresar a Estados Unidos, me recuerdo que estoy en el exterior con un propósito y que aún desde acá estoy ayudando a sembrar las semillitas de las ciencia en Puerto Rico, en arroz y habichuelas.</span></div><div style="border: medium none; font-family: inherit; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="ES-TRAD">Con este escrito quiero agradecer y reconocer al <a href="http://cienciapr.org/about.php" target="_blank">equipo de Ciencia Puerto Rico</a>, un excepcional grupo de científicos comprometidos con la misión de nuestra organización y sobre todo con Puerto Rico. El ser parte de esta familia y trabajar con ustedes es una de las grandes alegrías de mi vida.</span></i></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>Mónicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09183706069969359921noreply@blogger.com0