A concerned citizens initiative now cosponsored by the AAAS, the Council on Competitiveness, the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine, and signed by over 175 leading American universities and other organizations, representing over 125 million Americans.      Join us.

Shawn Lawrence Otto Speaks at the 2009 Nobel Conference Watch Science Debate cofounder Shawn Lawrence Otto's compelling keynote presentation at the 2009 Nobel Conference.


Science Debate is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to elevating science and engineering policy issues in the national dialogue of the world's leading democracy - arguably one of the highest and most critical strategic objectives of our time.

Science Debate does this by hosting nonpartisan science debates between candidates for office, educational events featuring science and technology policy topics for policymakers and the public, media education efforts to improve science and technology policy converage during the science news crisis, and other critical initiatives. 



POST-ELECTION REPORT TO SUPPORTERS



Watch our Two Cultures science policy conference online (cohosted by our friends at the NYAS):

2 cultures conference proceedings
 



14 answers

Click for Obama & McCain's answers to the top 14 science questions facing America


Is America Losing its Competitive Edge?
A Presidential Debate on Science and America’s Future 

"Given the many urgent scientific and technological challenges facing America and the rest of the world, the increasing need for accurate scientific information in political decision making, and the vital role scientific innovation plays in spurring economic growth and competitiveness, we call for a public debate in which the U.S. presidential candidates share their views on the issues of The Environment, Health and Medicine, and Science and Technology Policy."

See signers

 

 

Download Obama & McCain's responses to 7 additional questions on gender & racial diversity in STEM


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Click to watch conference sessions

 

Click the thumbnails for word clouds of the top 100 words used in Obama & McCain's answers to the 14 questions.  Word size indicates frequency. Suitable for desktop images.

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Obama's top 100 words

McCain's top 100 words


Poll: Americans are much more likely to vote for a candidate that will tackle science issues
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Poll: 85% of Americans want Presidential Candidates to Debate Science Issues
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"For the last 60 years, science and engineering have been responsible for half the growth in the U.S. economy. But some reports suggest that by 2010 90% of all scientists and engineers will live in Asia.  Asian countries are now graduating 10 times the number of scientists and engineers the U.S. is.  Do the candidates have a plan to keep the American economy strong and to tackle America's major challenges like climate change, energy security, education and healthcare - all of which revolve around science?  Who really deserves your vote?"

-Shawn Lawrence Otto
CEO, Science Debate 2008

 

 

Primary season invitations

 

Science Debate 2008 on Charlie Rose




Why McCain & Obama have a moral obligation to address these issues

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More information on the Franklin Institute "We Built It" event


"The future economic success of the United States depends on out-performing the competition with smart people and smart ideas. Without the best education system and aggressive investments in basic research and development we will become a second rate economic power. We hope the candidates for president take this very seriously."

-Craig Barrett
Chairman, Intel

 


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We make the call on NPR's Talk of the Nation: Science Friday

 

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The debate and why it's important on Earth & Sky radio 

 

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Sheril Kirshenbaum on the debate on The Inoculated Mind 

 

 

in their own words button

See what some of our signers have to say about why this matters 

 

 

Leaders & Nobelists: why this matters

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"Imagine if the candidates had said at the start of the debate season: 'We will have debates, but we will not discuss in any detail our policies toward pollution of air and water, climate change, renewable energy research, global diseases and pandemics, bioethical issues such as stem cell research, how to use scientific innovation to stimulate economic growth, how to improve science education, and how to regain scientific integrity in government.' Had they said this, there would have been a public outcry - and yet this is what has happened. In no debate so far have any of these vital issues been discussed in depth. None. We believe the voters have a right to hear these issues discussed, and the candidates have a responsibility to discuss them."

-Matthew Chapman
President, Science Debate 2008



The Grand Challenges for Engineering

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Click for the AAAS site on what is known of the candidates' positions so far:
AAAS report on candidates' positions



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