ASA Member News Archive
ASA Member News October 2010
Welcome to the October edition of ASA Member News, the ASA's monthly e-newsletter.
STATbit
TODAY IS WORLD STATISTICS DAY– October 20, 2010
October 20 is World Statistics Day (WSD). The goal of WSD is to raise awareness of the many achievements of government statistics. The ASA will celebrate WSD in many ways, including a Capitol Hill event, streaming videos on our website, and an Amstat News article. We are also encouraging chapters, sections, and departments to celebrate the day.
In Amstat News
MANY HONORED AT JSM 2010
During the JSM 2010 Presidential Address and Awards Ceremony, many outstanding statisticians were honored for their contributions to statistics. Also, members of the Committee of Presidents of Statistical Societies (COPSS) announced their 2010 award winners. Read the Amstat News online exclusive interview with COPSS Presidents’ Award winner David Dunson.
CHANGES ON TRACK FOR NOVEMBER ISSUE
Starting with the November issue, the online version of Amstat News will offer more detailed announcements and articles, while the printed version will contain shorter articles to accommodate a smaller, but full-color, magazine. Continue to send announcements to Amstat News Managing Editor Megan Murphy. Make sure to include a website where readers can get more information, or contact information for someone who will answer questions. Attach photos and art in your email in high-resolution .jpg format.
Events Outlook
ASA EXHIBITING AT FIRST USA SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FESTIVAL EXPO – Washington, DC – October 23–24, 2010
The ASA will exhibit along with other organizations, offering more than 1,500 interactive exhibits and stage shows during the first USA Science & Engineering Festival Expo, October 23–24, 2010, on the National Mall and surrounding areas. Bring your whole family and give your future and current scientists the experience of a lifetime. Come check out the ASA booth, Discovery Through Interactive Statistics, located in Section PA-13, Booth Number 1267. Booth activities will draw from entries to the Hands-On Statistics Activity Competition, and ASA members will volunteer time in the booth to coordinate the activities. Visit the official festival website to view all exhibit and stage shows, download a map of the expo grounds, and view the entire festival calendar.
66TH ANNUAL DEMING CONFERENCE ON APPLIED STATISTICS – Atlantic City, New Jersey – December 6–10, 2010
The 66th Deming Conference will include two parallel half-day tutorial sessions based on recently published books for the first three days for a total of 12 tutorial sessions. Then, the conference will continue with two two-day short courses. Attendees will receive bound proceedings of the presentations. The full program and online registration is available on the conference website.
EVENTS CALENDAR
Statistical events are happening around the country and the globe. View our Upcoming Events Calendar.
@amstat.org
NEW ASA CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAM PROVIDES WEB-BASED TRAINING ANYTIME, ANYWHERE
The LearnSTAT OnDemand program offers access to previously recorded webinars on an on-demand, pay-per-view basis. The recorded webinars are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year long. This increased flexibility will appeal to ASA members who regularly have scheduling conflicts with the live presentations; work in Europe, Africa, Asia, or Australia; or weren’t aware of the webinar program previously.
ASA LAUDS STAT ACT OF 2010—INTRODUCED BY CONGRESSMAN DAVE LOEBSACK—URGES MEMBERS’ SUPPORT OF THE BILL TO IMPROVE K–12 STATISTICS EDUCATION
This month, the Statistical Teaching, Aptitude, and Training Act of 2010 (STAT Act of 2010) was introduced by Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa). The ASA urges members of the House of Representatives to support H.R. 6355 by cosponsoring it. ASA members, statisticians, and mathematicians are also asked to urge their congressional representatives to support the bill. In anticipation of the bill’s introduction, the ASA launched a statistical literacy grassroots campaign this summer, encouraging members to meet with their U.S. representatives in their home district offices about statistical literacy. Get involved!
Special Opportunities
ACCREDITATION
Interested in the new voluntary program for individual accreditation? Fill out the intent-to-apply form online.
STATISTICAL SIGNIFICANCE FLYERS
Need materials for outreach? The ASA's Statistical Significance pieces, which highlight the important contributions statisticians make to society, can help get your students more interested in statistics or help attract students to your programs. "StatSigs" are now available for health care, energy, business, national security, environment, and health policy.
PLENARY SESSIONS WEBCASTS AVAILABLE
Members can now view JSM 2010 plenary session videos online.
U.S. CENSUS AT SCHOOL PROGRAM SEEKING CHAMPIONS
The ASA and Population Association of America (PAA) launched the U.S. version of Census at School, an international classroom project that engages students in grades 4–12 in statistical problemsolving. Students complete an online survey, analyze their class census results, and compare their class with random samples of students in the United States and other participating countries. The project began in the United Kingdom in 2000 and now includes Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, and Japan. The ASA and PAA are seeking champions to expand the U.S. Census at School program nationally. This is a wonderful opportunity for statisticians and statistics educators to perform outreach in their communities. For more information about how you can get involved, email Martha Aliaga at and copy Rebecca Nichols.
Upcoming Deadlines
CALL FOR 2011 STUDENT INTERNSHIP LISTINGS Deadline: October 20, 2010
If your organization would like to list an internship opportunity in the December 2010 issue of Amstat News and on the ASA website, return the completed form to educinfo@amstat.org by October 20, 2010. Any 2011 internship listings received after October 20 will be posted on the ASA web site only.
AWARDS ANNOUNCEMENTS & DEADLINES
Deadlines and contact information for ASA national awards, special lectureships, and COPSS awards can be found by visiting the following links: ASA awards, ASA scholarships, and COPSS awards.
NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD CALL FOR VANNEVAR BUSH AWARD NOMINATIONS Deadline: November 3, 2010
The Vannevar Bush Award is given annually to exceptional lifelong leaders in science and technology who have made substantial contributions to the welfare of the nation through public service activities in science, technology, and public policy. Recent recipients include Bruce Alberts, editor-in-chief of Science magazine; Mildred Dresselhaus, institute professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and Norman Augustine, former chief executive officer and chair of the board at Lockheed Martin Corporation. Nominate a colleague today.
2011 NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD Deadline: November 3, 2010
The National Science Board (NSB) Public Service Award honors individuals who and groups that have made substantial contributions to increasing public understanding of science and engineering in the United States. These contributions may be in a variety of areas, including mass media, education and/or training programs, and entertainment. Previous recipients include NUMB3RS, the CBS television drama series; Ira Flatow, host and executive producer of NPR's "Science Friday"; Alfred P. Sloan Foundation; Bill Nye, The Science Guy; and NOVA, the PBS television series. Nominate a colleague by November 3. Contact Jennifer Richards with any questions.
NOMINATE A COLLEAGUE FOR FELLOW Deadline: March 2, 2011
Nominate a colleague for Fellow. If your colleague is not already a Fellow, use the examples of support letters and draft citations to assist you with your online nomination.
Feedback, comments, or suggestions are welcome please email asamail@amstat.org with your ideas.