Aspen Institute Science & Society Program Youth Initiative “Our Future Is Science” Named Winner in Global Science Engagement Competition

Science & Society Program to pitch youth STEM engagement program in Berlin this November as part of 2024 Falling Walls Science Summit.

Contact: Sejal Goud
Communications Coordinator
Science & Society Program
[email protected]

Washington, DC, August 22, 2024 - The Aspen Institute's Science & Society Program's Our Future Is Science (OFIS)initiative has been selected as one of 20 global Winners in the annual Falling Walls Foundationcompetition to identify scientific breakthroughs of the year.

An advisory board adjudicated 136 applications from 54 countries in the Science Engagement category, which the Foundation defines as "activities, events, or interactions bridging the gap between science and society to generate mutual learning and benefits across the spectrum of public engagement and interactive science communication," with a special focus this year on climate change and adaptation.

The Winner designation comes with an opportunity to pitch the initiative in person at the Falling Walls Science Summitin Berlin, Germany, on November 7, 2024, in front of a distinguished jury and global audience. The jury will select one Science Breakthrough of the Year in Science Engagement awardee who will present on November 9.

OFIS's application to the competition was submitted by Hassan Farah, Ph.D., who serves as Science & Social Justice Project Manager at the Aspen Institute.

Founded in 2021, OFIS is the flagship initiative of the Science & Society Program's Science & Social Justice pillar. The initiative aims to position societally minded youth as leaders and innovators who will push science forward in the 21st century. OFIS prioritizes the participation of students who face inequities, are underserved, and/or are from historically marginalized groups often underrepresented in STEM education and careers.

"I joined the Aspen Institute staff in 2023 after experiencing firsthand the impact that OFIS's unique STEM-social justice curriculum has on young changemakers," Farah said. "It is an honor to have grown alongside this program, from my role in 2021 as a Mentor in the inaugural cohort, to developing platforms and programs to support OFIS students, and now representing OFIS on the global stage in Berlin."

"Three years after the initiative was founded, I'm thrilled to see OFIS recognized internationally in this way," said Science & Society Executive Director Aaron Mertz. "We were named a Finalist in this competition in 2023, and our designation now as a Winner in 2024 gives us an outstanding global platform to share our innovative approach and to build connections with others enacting the most creative science engagement projects around the world."

Learn more about OFIS and its Falling Walls Foundation competition entry here.

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The Aspen Institute Science & Society Programserves as a laboratory to test ideas and approaches that catalyze community leaders, current and future scientists, and the general public. Led by a core staff of trained scientists, the program is an early responder to emerging trends and is on the pulse of critical issues at the intersection of science and society

The Aspen Instituteis a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society's greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, DC and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.

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