The Alliance for Science and Technology Research in America seeks to provide a better understanding of the physical and mathematical sciences and engineering.  The organization focuses strongly on both policy research and educating the public in how funding and innovation in R & D help increase our standard of living, spur economic growth, and benefit national security.  Their website provides abundant information on these topics. 

By visiting the “Hot Issues” section of AboutAstra.org ,one can learn about the key issues involved in education and funding of scientific research, as well as read the monthly ASTRA briefs with articles and reports on these key issues. The “ASTRA Toolkit” provides further information on all the topics ASTRA addresses.  There are research products and publications on government funding of R&D, rundowns of where all 50 states stand in R&D and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, opinions and editorials by ASTRA experts, testimony made by ASTRA members before congress, educational slideshows, information on federal funding levels, and a collection of key information “mined” from other organizations and the government on science funding.  This section also offers a link to USInnovation.org, another ASTRA site which provides further information on ASTRA research, news, and articles on science, legislation, opinions and editorials.  AboutAstra.Org, also, offers a section with the latest news and science headlines and tracks science and technology legislation in Congress. 

Another site seeking to educate the public about science innovation and development is AAAS.org.  Run by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the website helps to advance the goals of the organization to educate, increase public engagement, influence public policy, and strengthen and diversify the field of science.

On AAAS.org, one can find an “Annual Reports” section with research on science policy, careers and education, breakthroughs, technology and security, and media and public engagement.  Further research can also be found in the “Publications” section, which contains an extensive array of publications associated with AAAS such as Communication Science: Tools for Scientists and Engineers and Invention and Vision 2033: Linking Science and Policy for Tomorrow’s World.  In the “Programs” section, one can find information on what AAAS does in the realm of science and policy, as well as education. This section also contains information on their Project 2061, a project to increase literacy in science, mathematics, and technology for the future.  AAAS.org also offers a “News” section with major headlines on science and technology.  Also, don’t miss the “Events” section with career support and job searching resources.  This wealth of information available at AAAS.org may seem overwhelming, but the site also offers sections specifically targeted to the press, public policy and lawmakers, educators, students, and kids/parents. 

Both AboutAstra.org and AAAS.org are wonderful sites to visit to learn more about science and technology!