Science Chicago – LIFE’S A LAB!

OK, after an extra couple of days the list is finally here – thanks to everyone who sent in ideas (we had quite a few in common!) for our Top 25 Science Events of the Science Chicago year (Sept 2008-Aug 2009)! There are SO many things that didn’t make the list of 25 but were still incredibly exciting – if you scroll through our past posts you’ll definitely catch some additional highlights:-)

But, without further adieu, the list (in completely random order)…

1. Completion of the Large Hadron Collider – Although the world’s most powerful particle collider has made more headlines for its malfunctions than its discoveries, the completion of the LHC and its successful first beam of protons last fall has us anxiously awaiting its return to function at the end of the year. Also, Fermilab hosted an awesome pajama party to celebrate!
2. Biofuels powering jetliners – Airplanes finally got into the alternative energy game this year, as Virgin Atlantic and Air New Zealand flew successful first jetliner flights with a combination of standard and biomass-derived fuel.
3. LabFest! – Science Chicago and its Partners took science to the streets this year, with over 15 LabFest events for kids and families throughout the Chicago region! If you missed it, check out the awesome photos on Flickr.
4. Ice on Mars!! - The Mars Phoenix Rover obtained the first conclusive evidence of water ice on Mars, supporting the possibility that life as we know it once existed on the Red Planet.
5. The Obama Administration – While we didn’t all vote for him, it’s clear that President Obama is making science and engineering a priority – from stem cell regulations to his scientific advisors and appointees. Science is back!
6. Genome Sequencing on the Cheap – What cost millions of dollars just a few short years ago has been reduced to just a few thousand by several companies…soon sequencing your own genome will cost less than some designer jeans (or genes…)
7. Final Pieces of the ISS – The International Space Station is nearing completion – new laboratory space, toilets, urine recyclers and solar panels have expanded the capability and capacity of the multinational, orbiting laboratory. Still having trouble with the space junk, though.
8. H1N1 Flu – The pandemic of this influenza strain that caused global panic and more than 2,000 deaths is perhaps not over yet – new cases are expected during the 2009-2010 flu season and enough vaccines may not be ready in time. But the best protection is still painfully simple: wash your hands.
9. Science Saturdays – Science Chicago partnered with over 70 Chicago area industries, laboratories, corporations and natural environments to offer exciting behind-the-scenes tours of Chicago-area science. Check out the photos from these awesome events!
10. Great Pacific Garbage Patch – This huge and visible sign of human pollution and its effect on the ocean got loads of popular culture attention and support – great news for the scientists studying ways to clean it up and prevent others from forming.
11. Aging Space Shuttles – Scheduled for retirement in 2010, the Space Shuttles have been working hard on the ISS and Hubble Telescope  while battling budget issues and launch problems to accomplish their remaining missions before next year.
12. Brown Fat – OK, it’s clearly a personal favorite (I wrote about it twice), but the findings that a calorie-burning version of our own fat, normally gone by adulthood, can be re-formed could possibly be one of the most underrated discoveries in obesity research this year. Stay tuned.
13. Global Climate Change – Though researchers and conservationists have been warning about global warming for years, September brought the especially sobering finding that the Artic sea ice is at record-low levels. The news has motivated increased behavioral changes like solar panels and hybrid vehicles, but still failed to convince the nay-sayers who believe humans are not causing the warming trend.
14. International Year of Astronomy – One of many year-long celebrations over the past 12 months, 2009 marked, among other notable events, the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s first telescope and the 40th anniversary of the moon landing.
15. Darwin Anniversaries – In 2009, the 150th anniversary of On the Origin of Species conveniently fell in the same year as the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth, prompting worldwide celebrations (and controversies) about evolution and its impact on how we understand and view our world.
16. Year of Science – The Coalition for the Public Understanding of Science (COPUS) and its affiliates designated 2009 as a year to focus on science; grass-roots and educational organizations are banding together with monthly science focuses, special events and ways to connect online.
17. Junior Science Cafes -  Scientists are people, too, and sometimes the best way to learn about being a scientist is just grabbing a snack and chatting with one. This year thousands of students did just that, in the Junior Science Cafes held in 10 locations throughout Chicago this year. Check the Science Chicago calendar for upcoming events near you!
18. International Polar Year – This celebration (including Polar-Palooza and numerous other events and programs) highlighted the beauty of our polar regions and the importance of protecting them. Given last year’s terrifying global warming data, this awareness initiative came not a moment too soon.
19. Stem Cells – These deserve their own listing – in addition to the relaxation of some Bush-era regulations, stem cells are inching closer to becoming miracle cure-alls. And not only has this year brought evidence of a wide range of viable uses for stem cells, scientists have also developed novel ways to create them.
20. The Economic Collapse – While consumer overspending, sub-prime mortgages, and Wall Street irresponsibility are at the root of our nation’s most recent recession, it too often goes unsaid that medical bills are the leading cause of personal bankruptcy. Fixing health care is one stone that can kill many more than two birds, including making  a dent in the economic crisis.
21. Social Media Explosion – Facebook has over 250 million users, Twitter is firmly established in our lexicon (and in CNN’s reporting) and marketing execs have gotten increasingly hip to what kids have known for awhile – online is where it’s at.
22. Science Bloggers – With traditional media hit hard by budget woes and increasing use of online outlets, the internet has become the place to go for some of the best science reporting. No longer just accessories to newspaper journalists, science bloggers are stepping into the mainstream in a big way.
23. Quarks! – I admit I still need to draw cartoons for myself to understand these sub-atomic species, but several labs (including our very own Fermilab!) made huge discoveries of new, and sometimes “strange” quark-containing species that are helping us understand the most fundamental components of our entire world.
24. Colony Collapse Disorder – Bee colonies continued to have peculiar rates of colony abandonment and disease spread, harming not only colonies and apiaries, but severely threatening crops that depend on bee activity.
25. You – This year, this Blog, and all of the Science Chicago programs, events and activities would not have been possible without all you science enthusists from Chicago and around the country (and the world).  It’s been a blast meeting some of you, hearing your stories, reading your comments and sharing your love of science.  Let’s keep spreading the word that science is important and fun…Life’s a Lab!

So, what do you think?  Did we miss something that totally should have been on the list?  Were we dead wrong about anything?  Post a comment and let us know!!

We’re off the rest of the week but will be back after Labor Day. Have a wonderful (and safe) holiday weekend!

-Rabiah