(Canadian IPY Secretariat, Canadian IPY News (subscribe here), # 10, January 2007) -- Are you interested in IPY celebrations happening in your area? IPY events are being planned for regional, national and international venues and you can get involved! Teachers and students are invited to celebrate the beginning of IPY 2007-2008 in their classrooms. The Breaking the Ice flyer (PDF) describes a few simple activities that can be carried out in classrooms, science centres, parks, galleries, even at home. Canadian researchers, northern communities, and the general public are encouraged to participate in regional IPY celebrations across the nation from mid- February to the 1st of March. Please check www.ipycanada.ca for events in your area. As the world counts down to IPY there will be many chances to follow international events as well and we encourage you to check www.ipy.org/index.php?/ipy/detail/launch for further details.
Posted by Amanda Graham – 29 January 2007; 11:52:57 PM – Permalink  

Tagged: News, Planning and Organization

(AP via Anchorage Daily News, 29 January 2007) -- FAIRBANKS - Congressional budget delays have put several major research projects at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in limbo. Projects facing uncertain futures include a new $98 million arctic research vessel and efforts related to the upcoming International Polar Year. "We're on the verge of missing out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of International Polar Year," said Buck Sharpton, UAF vice chancellor of research. The outgoing Republican-led Congress failed to approve a budget for the current fiscal year for anything but defense and homeland security. A stopgap measure is keeping budgets for most federal agencies at last year's levels. That means no additional funding until the new Democrat-led Congress reaches an agreement on the $463.5 billion spending bill. The National Science Foundation is among the agencies hit hardest, working with roughly $400 million less than requested for this year. The agency is the funding source for about 20 percent of all federally supported research conducted by U.S. universities and the largest single source of research funding at UAF.
Posted by Amanda Graham – 29 January 2007; 11:46:01 PM – Permalink  

Tagged: News, Planning and Organization