On June 10, 2004 the UN declared 2005 International Year of Physics as a centennial commemoration of Einstein’s pioneering contributions in 1905. For Black History month, the Banneker Institute is producing a series of five vignettes about Black Physicists which will be distributed to the top five TV stations in the twenty largest urban markets across the country. Material enclosed with the PSA will encourage the stations to air them during Black History month, but will point out that they can be used all year long in connection with the International Year of Physics (the script will not mention Black History Month per se).

This is being done in response to the good guidance provided at the Inaugural Meeting of the Banneker Institute for Science and Technology on November 17, 2004. One of your key recommendations at that meeting was that there needed to be more images of Black scientists in the media so that Black children could project themselves into that role. This is a small step that we were able to take on relatively short notice. The series can be expanded throughout the year, and your comments to nedelin@catalystdc.org on physicists to be included, distribution of the series, and other matters related to Blacks in science are welcomed. For the Physics series currently we plan to include the first, the best, a typical, a woman, and the youngest.

This newsletter is being sent to everyone who received an invitation to the Inaugural Meeting of the Banneker Institute for Science and Technology. If you are receiving this by mail it is because we do not have your email address. If you wish to continue receiving information on the activities of the Banneker Institute, please take a moment immediately to send us an email at nedelin@catalystdc.org so that we will have your email address. To conserve both staff and material resources, all future communications will be sent by email, so if we do not have your email address, this is the last notice you will receive.

Plans are underway for the first meeting of the Advisory Committee. Those of you who volunteered to serve will be hearing from us shortly. This meeting is being planned as a web conference, so that distance will not be a barrier to participation.We act that our people not perish for lack of knowledge.
 

NOTE

Job Fair for Engineers and Scientists

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office are hosting a job fair for engineers and scientists February 4th and 5th in Alexandria, VA. Those planning to attend should call by January 28th to schedule an interview.