The Final State of the Union
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Summary:
Recipients of the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation -- the highest honors bestowed by the United States government on scientists, engineers, and inventors -- answer your questions in a live video chat.
Ed. Note: This live event has concluded.
This week, President Obama will award recipients of the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation -- the highest honors bestowed by the United States government on scientists, engineers, and inventors -- at a White House ceremony.
On Tuesday, three medal recipients – including the inventor of the digital camera, a pioneer in organic photochemistry and electrochemistry and a leader in climate change research -- will be answering your questions in a live video chat on WhiteHouse.gov and Facebook.
Join us for a talk with Steven Sasson, Marye Anne Fox and Warren Washington on Tuesday, November 16th at 1:00 p.m. EST.
Here's how you can participate:
- Ask your questions in advance on Facebook
- Join the discussion live through the White House Facebook application
- Watch the chat through WhiteHouse.gov/live
Learn more about the award recipients participating in the live chat and about the National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology and Innovation below:
Steven Sasson
Inventor of the digital camera
Sasson is receiving the National Medal of Technology and Innovation for the invention of the digital camera, which has revolutionized the way images are captured, stored and shared, thereby creating new opportunities for commerce, for education, and for improved worldwide communication.
Marye Anne Fox
Chancellor and Professor of Chemistry, University of California, San Diego
Fox is receiving the National Medal of Science for her research contributions in the areas of organic photochemistry and electrochemistry — fields that focus on factors that influence the electronic properties of materials, which are important for the development of photovolatics and other materials that can capture solar energy as well as thin films that can be used for information storage.
Warren Washington
Senior Scientist, National Center for Atmospheric Research
Washington is receiving the National Medal of Science for his development and use of global climate models to understand climate and explain the role of human activities and natural processes in the Earth’s climate system and for his work to support a diverse science and engineering workforce.
See the full list of recipients here.
The National Medal of Science was created by statute in 1959 and is administered for the White House by the National Science Foundation. Awarded annually, the Medal recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to science and engineering. Nominees are selected by a committee of Presidential appointees based on their extraordinary knowledge in, and contributions to, the biological, behavioral/social, and physical sciences, as well as chemistry, engineering, computing, and mathematics.
The National Medal of Technology and Innovation is an outgrowth of a 1980 statute and is administered for the White House by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The award recognizes those who have made lasting contributions to America’s competitiveness and quality of life and have helped strengthen the Nation’s technological workforce. Nominees are selected by a distinguished independent committee representing both the private and public sectors.
