NASA WORKSHOP TO FOSTER MINORITY PARTICIPATION IN OFFICE OF SPACE SCIENCE
MISSIONS

The NASA Office of Space Science sincerely invites all space science
researchers and qualified scientists in closely related disciplines to
attend "Chicago 2004: A Workshop to Foster Broader Participation in NASA
Space Science Missions and Research Programs." This workshop, to be held
June 28-29, 2004, in Chicago, is a proactive response to anticipated
demographic changes in the United States that will have a profound effect
on our future space science missions and programs. By the time some of our
currently envisioned future missions are being carried out, our country
will be approaching the point where the entering workforce will be
predominantly minority. Our future success therefore depends upon our
starting now to involve individuals from groups that have traditionally
been underrepresented in NASA space science.

The workshop's premise is simple. Successful careers and collaborations
begin with personal contacts. So, broadening participation in NASA space
science begins with setting up a workshop to seed personal contacts between
scientists currently engaged in NASA space science and scientists who are
seeking to become so engaged. The expectation is that such contacts will
lead to partnerships that will grow to become true collaborations as time
goes on.

We therefore particularly encourage attendance by:

1) scientists currently involved in NASA space science missions or research
programs, including both current leaders of science teams and early career
space scientists who might become leaders of future teams, and

2) Minority University faculty, members of professional societies of
minority scientists, and underrepresented minority scientists/educators
seeking to become involved in NASA space science missions or research
programs.

Grants to partially support travel costs are available. In order to receive
full consideration, travel grant applications must be received by April 16,
2004. To apply for travel support and to register for the workshop, please
visit the Chicago 2004 Web site at http://analyzer.depaul.edu/Chicago2004/.

Further information is available at the Web site above or from Dr. Philip
Sakimoto at philip.j.sakimoto@... or (202) 358-0949.