Introducing…JASON’s Explorer-At-Large!
As your JASON Explorer-At-Large I am looking forward to taking you on a journey around the world, exploring the planet as the “JASON Global Classroom.”
At times our expeditions together will take the form of an actual classroom in a far away place or remote region. Or perhaps will explore the discoveries in a particular laboratory, or seek out our own observations and discoveries in the field.
The recent symposium that I co-chaired in Stockholm was a special one. The program was live-streamed through JASON and others around the world, and sought to highlight the many new discoveries that are taking place helping scientists to understand, utilize, and control biological systems. Many top scientists were invited to discuss a wide range of fundamental insights, from the origins of life to a spectrum of revolutionary medicinal and biotechnological applications. The audience, which mostly consisted of high school students, traveled from North America, Asia, and Europe to participate in the program.
The symposium itself took place at the Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences. Founded in 1739, this organization is especially renowned as each year it awards the Nobel prizes in physics and chemistry, as well as the prize in economic sciences, in memory of Alfred Nobel. The Nobel prize is arguably the most coveted prize in science in the world, it serves to award “discoveries, inventions and improvements” that are believed to have the potential for the greatest benefits to mankind.
An inventor named Alfred Nobel upon his death in 1895 established the prizes for chemistry, literature, peace, physics and physiology or medicine. The prizes themselves are made of gold. Since the first Nobel Prizes were awarded close to 900 individuals have been awarded the prizes as well as a number of organizations.
The symposium was held in the auditorium where the physics and chemistry prizes are voted on. Later, participants were allowed into the special area where the prizes are first announced. In this beautiful room with an elaborately carved ceiling, oil portraits of celebrated scientists and recipients of the Nobel prize line the walls.
More to come in the weeks and months ahead! I’m looking forward to taking this journey of exploration with all of you.
Lorie Karnath
