AAS Comes to The Hill

A&M Will Host State Science Academy

Alabama A&M University will host the 97^th Annual Meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science (AAS)  March 18-20.

The three-day gathering will represent joint sessions between the Alabama Junior Academy of Science and the Gorgas Scholarship Competition.  Founded in Mobile in 1924, AAS promotes state-wide interest in all scientific matters, particularly among youth; serves as a source for the publication scientific papers and abstracts; and cooperates with organizations with similar aims and interests.

The banquet speaker will be Jody Singer, director of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.  Appointed in September 2018, Singer manages one of NASA's largest field installations, with nearly 6,000 on- and near-site civil service and contractor employees, as well as an annual budget of approximately $2.8 billion.  

Prior to being named to the position, the Hartselle, Ala., native had served as Marshall acting director since July 2018 and was deputy director from February 2016 to July 2018, assisting the director with the daily management of the center’s workforce and operations.  She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama in 1983.  She completed NASA Fellowships at Pennsylvania State University and Simmons College in Boston, Mass.

The annual meeting will also be the site of the final judging for the Gorgas Scholarship Competition, which recognizes scientific work of high school seniors.  Gorgas Scholars compete for more than $10,000 in scholarships, and most Alabama colleges and universities offer additional scholarships.

The conference hotel is the Hampton Inn & Suites, 7010 Cabela Drive, Huntsville, Ala. (near Bridge Street Centre).  Reservations by March 1 will secure room rates of $109/night. For more information, call (256) 971-1850.