PR: Science Idol - And the winner is...

Recently, we invited you to help choose the winner in Science Idol: Celebrity Edition, a cartoon contest designed to poke fun at the not-so-humorous problem of political interference in science. After almost 10,000 votes were cast, Jesse Springer of Eugene, OR, came out on top. His cartoon will grace the cover of this year's Scientific Integrity Calendar:

Jesse is a graphic designer and part-time editorial cartoonist who recognizes the need for oversight of the Obama administration and Congress. "This is a really tricky time for those who hoped that Obama's election was going to be a start of something new," he said. "We need to point out the commitments that they made and hold the administration accountable to them."

Click to see all 12 contestants and learn more about Jesse.

The Scientific Integrity Calendar
In addition to providing you with a year's worth of laughs, the 2010 Scientific Integrity Calendar is a valuable educational tool, highlighting the need for the Obama administration and Congress to create a thriving federal scientific enterprise.

You can order your 2010 Scientific Integrity Calendar here. It makes a great gift to your scientist and non-scientist friends and family who believe that policy decisions should be guided by the best available science. The calendars are just $10 each, with discounts for UCS members and bulk orders and proceeds support the Union of Concerned Scientists.

I hope you enjoy the cartoons and the calendar!

Sincerely,

Michael Halpern
National Field Organizer
Scientific Integrity Program

P.S. Defending science from political interference will require the persistent and energetic engagement of both scientists and citizens. As a member of the UCS action network, we'll continue to keep you informed about ways you can help support independent science. Scientists, engineers, and health professionals are invited to join our Restoring Scientific Integrity Network.

Voting Begins For 2008 Science Idol Editorial Cartoon Contest

Voting Begins For 2008 Science Idol Editorial Cartoon Contest
July 10 2008
Artists draw attention to political interference in science


The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) today announced the 12 finalists in its third annual Science Idol: Scientific Integrity Editorial Cartoon Contest.

About Science Day 2008 Science Idol Finalists


Now, it's the public's turn to vote.

UCS received hundreds of cartoon entries from artists of all ages across the country who used humor to shed light on a serious issue: the distortion, suppression and manipulation of federal science. A panel of award-winning cartoonists helped UCS narrow down the entries to the 12 that will appear in the 2009 UCS scientific integrity calendar. The celebrity judges were: Dave Coverly, the creator of "Speed Bump;" Wiley Miller, the creator of "Non Sequitur;" Kevin Kallaugher (Kal), editorial cartoonist at the Economist; Mike Keefe, editorial cartoonist at the Denver Post; Signe Wilkinson, the Pulitzer prize-winning editorial cartoonist at the Philadelphia Daily News; and Jesse Springer, winner of last year's Science Idol contest.

People can vote for their favorite cartoon today through August 8 at http://www.ucsusa.org/scientific_integrity/science_idol/. All participants have the chance to win copies of the 2009 calendar.

Besides having the winning cartoon featured on the cover of the 2009 Scientific Integrity Calendar, the top cartoonist will receive a $500 prize, an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C., and a signed copy of Kevin Kallaugher's book, "Kal Draws Criticism."