Attendance up 75 percent at science lecture series

Submitted by Amy Hartley
Phone: (907) 474-5823
03/04/04

Attendance up 75% at science lecture series

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 4, 2004

More than 9,000 people attended the statewide Science for Alaska Lecture Series this year, an increase of 75 percent over the past three years. The free public lecture series, which presents scientific research on diverse topics ranging from the aurora to Alaska bears, concluded this week.

As part of the series, six lectures were held in Fairbanks and Anchorage, and four in Juneau. In Fairbanks, attendance numbers have more than doubled since 2001 and are 22 percent higher than last year.

"The statewide attendance numbers have been strong, but the Fairbanks attendance has skyrocketed," said Vicki Daniels, series coordinator at the Geophysical Institute. "I think much of the increased attendance can be attributed to offering lecture topics that Alaskans are genuinely interested in learning more about."

The Science for Alaska Lecture Series has been an annual event since 1992. The 2004 series was coordinated and sponsored by the Geophysical Institute and the University of Alaska Foundation.

Public feedback is important in the planning process for the 2005 series. Suggestions are welcome and may be forwarded to the Geophysical Institute Information Office by calling (907) 474-5823 or by emailing info@gi.alaska.edu.

-30-

CONTACT: Amy Hartley, Information Officer, UAF Geophysical Institute: (907) 474-5823.