BULLETIN
NEWSLETTER OF THE KANSAS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE
| PRESIDENT……...……Calvin L. Cink | IMMED. PAST PRES......Rex Buchanan |
| PRES. ELECT………....Brenda Oppert | KJAS DIRECTOR…....…W. Scott Kardel |
| VICE PRESIDENT….... | TRANSACTIONS ED......Daniel F. Merriam |
| SECRETARY …………Pieter Berendsen | BULLETIN EDITOR…....Lawrence H.Skelton |
| TREASURER………….Janice S. Barton | |
| Volume 26, No. 1 | March 2001 |
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS TO HOST 133RD ANNUAL MEETING
The 133rd annual meeting of the Kansas Academy of Science will be held Friday and Saturday, 6 and 7 April 2001 at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. Registration and technical sessions will be held in the Kansas Union. Registration will be held from 3:30 to 5:30 P.M. Friday and from 7:30 to 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, both sessions in Parlor A,B,C of the Kansas Union. Technical sessions are scheduled to begin at 8:30 A.M. on Saturday and continue until 10:30. A coffee break from 10:30 to 11:00 A.M. will be followed by the plenary session with the featured speaker, Dr. Paul Ehrlich of Stanford University who will address assembled members on the topic of Major Issues in Human Nature. The plenary session will be completed by noon when a lunch break is scheduled
to last until 1:30 P.M. when technical sessions resume. Those sessions will be concluded at 3:30 P.M. at which time refreshments will be served and Student Awards presented. Friday activities include two field trips in the Lawrence area. Both depart from the registration area at the Kansas Union at 1:00 P.M. Friday, April 6th, and will return by 5:00 P.M. Parking is in the lot indicated northwest of the Kansas Union on the map. Park only at the meters before 5:00 P.M. Friday. Parking is free after 5:00 P.M. Friday and all day Saturday.
One trip, conducted by Roger Boyd, is to the Baker Wetlands. A maximum of twelve participants is allowed so pre-registration is required. The other trip, led by Henry S. Fitch, is to K.U.'s Fitch Natural History Preserve. Transportation is NOT provided for either trip so be prepared to drive and/or share a ride. Wear shoes and clothing appropriate to the area and weather. Friday evening includes a buffet banquet in the Jayhawk Room of the Kansas Union from 5:30 to 7:00 P.M. which will be followed with a public lecture beginning at 7:30 P.M. by Dr. Ehrlich in Wescoe Hall. Dr. Ehrlich will speak on Human Evolution. The subject, of recent heated debate in Kansas, may attract a crowd so attendees are encouraged to arrive early.
Dr. Paul Ehrlich to Present Plenary Session Speech and Public Lecture
The Kansas Academy of Science is honored with the presence of Dr. Paul Ralph Ehrlich, Bing Professor of Population Studies and Professor of Biological Studies at Stanford University in California. Dr. Ehrlich, who was born in Philadelphia in 1932, earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in biology at the University of Pennsylvania in 1953; the Master of Arts (Entomology) at the University of Kansas in 1955 and the doctorate degree at K. U. in 1957. He joined the Stanford University faculty in 1959.
Dr. Ehrlich is renown for his studies of the ecology and evolution of checkerspot butterflies. He has conducted global research ranging from the genetics of insect populations and eco-logical and evolutionary inter-actions of plants and herbivores, to ornithology and to the effects of crowding on human populations. His best-known work, however, has raised some controversy: his efforts to focus public attention on the potential for global famine and accompanying crises to be precipitated by human over population. This was first brought to public attention by his book, The Population Bomb, published in 1968.
Dr. Ehrlich has authored 37 books and more than 600 scientific papers and popular articles. His many honors include the prestigious Crafoord Prize from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in 1993, the World Ecology Medal from the International Center for Tropical Ecology in 1993 and the United Nations Environment Programme Sasakawa Prize in 1994. He received a MacArthur Prize Fellowship from 1990 - 1995. Dr. Ehrlich is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Audubon Society, and a founder and Honorary President of Zero Population Growth.
Shells, Bones and Stone: Kansas Paleontology 1868-2001...
A Special Symposium
KAS will host a special paleontology symposium in April at the 2001 Annual Meeting. During the last 130 years, Kansas has been the site of many spectacular fossil discoveries and was the opening battle ground in the "Bone Wars" between E. D. Cope and O. C. Marsh. It also has been the training ground for a number of prominent paleontologists of the past including Samuel Williston, George and Charles Sternberg, Barnum Brown, H. T. Martin and many others. Although primarily focusing on Kansas paleontology, the symposium will include reports on current work from other areas. The symposium organizers are Mike Everhart and Mike Morales.
See Synapsid Saurian Sue Soon!
One of only two life-size replica skeletons of the Field Museum's Tyrannosaurus rex, "Sue", the largest, most complete and best preserved such skeleton discovered is now on exhibit at the Sternberg Museum in Fort Hays, Kansas. Named for its discoverer, fossil collector Sue Hendrickson, Sue will remain on special display until 29 April. The Sternberg is one of only about 20 U.S. museums selected for the travelling exhibit which will continue through 2004. Tickets are necessary for entry and may be purchased online at: www.fhsu.edu/sternberg/resp.html
ELECTION IS NOW!
Enclosed is a ballot to elect Kansas Academy of Science officers for the coming year. It should be marked, folded, stamped and mailed. The lack of choice within the slate is apparent and explains why the ballot is some months late this year...it is very difficult to find anyone willing to accept an office (but it does avoid endless Florida-type recounts). There is no dearth of those who complain that K.A.S. and other such organizations are run by "cliques" who ignore the rank and file and always do things their own way. To a slight extent, that is a valid observation. It is so, however, because of reluctance of others to participate and run for office. This reluctance could be called "the little red hen syndrome." You remember the tale - no one wants to be participate in the growing, milling or baking of the bread, but they're happy to eat it. So if you are willing to serve in an office next election, please contact any of the new officers and so state. Your presence and your ideas are most welcome.
JUST RELEASED!
A Kansan's Guide to Science - Kansas Geological Survey Educational Series 15. This just-released 19 page booklet by University of Kansas scientists Paulyn Cartwright, Roger Kaesler, Bruce S. Lieberman and Adrian L. Melott provides a succinct explanation for (as its subtitle states) "An introduction to evolution and the nature of science, including origins of the universe and the Earth and the history of life." The booklet developed from the authors' concerns about scientific literacy of the people of Kansas in response to the State Board of Education action on public school science standards in the summer of 1999 (an action very recently reversed by the Board following fall, 2000 state elections.) Excellent illustrations, a Kansas Geologic Timetable and a brief glossary are only three of the attributes of this addition to the Survey's long-popular educational series. Order ($7.50 + tax and postage) from the Geological Survey publications retail outlets at KU or in Wichita.
Kansas Junior Academy of Science News
Kansas Academy members are needed to serve as judges for the Kansas Junior Academy of Science meeting on Thursday, May 3rd at Wichita State University. If you would like to judge a student paper in biology, chemistry, physics, engineering or any other branch of science, please contact the KJAS know. To do that, contact W. Scott Kardel, the KJAS Director, at (316) 978-3991 or at kardel@twsu.edu The KJAS website is online at http://webs.wichita.edu/kjas/ Who knows? You may inspire your future replacement.
In other news, last year's top student at KJAS, Laura Seger of Blue Valley North High School, attended the national American Junior Academy of Science meeting held from 14 to 18 February at San Francisco, California.
EVERYONE HEAD TO LAWRENCE ON APRIL 6-7. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED-NOW, HAVE
I EVER LIED TO YOU?
JOTTINGS. . . .
Missouri Academy of Science to meet in Joplin, Missouri.
The MAS 37th Annual Meeting will be held on 20 & 21 April at Missouri Southern
State College in Joplin. For registration information, contact Paula L. Macy
at phone: 660-543-8734; fax: 660-543-8006 or E-Mail: macy@cmsu.edu
134th KAS Annual Meeting to be at Fort Hays State University in spring of
2002. Hopefully not to be snowed out. Plan now to attend!
Minutes? Do you wonder what's going on within the governance of KAS? Minutes
of KAS Council meetings are now available on the Academy's website at
www.washburn.edu/kas/
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