CollectionsWeb is excited to work with the Coalition on the Public Understanding of Science (COPUS) in an effort to increase public understanding of the nature of science and its value to society. A key objective of COPUS is to create new forums for communication and to develop new opportunities for engaging the public with science.  Participants in COPUS are leading the celebration of Year of Science 2009 -- a grassroots celebration of how science works, why science matters, and who scientists are.

CollectionsWeb is serving as a thematic hub for the grassroots network.  This means that we want to help you learn how to get involved in this exciting endeavor.

Here are a few ideas for ways your collection can get involved in communicating science during Year of Science 2009:

• Partner with others in your community to share science!  Check out the COPUS regional hub map to see if there is a ready made community to connect to.  If not, you can find partners via the COPUS participant database.  Most important -- register your organization or collection! This will help others in your community interested in partnering to find you and invite you to join them in regional collaboration.

• Share Zines -- Zines are small science magazines that share science in a fun and visually interesting way. You can print them on any printer, fold them, and leave them about for others to enjoy! Better yet -- create some that convey information about the science behind your collection! Check out the library here!

• Host or participate in Science Cafes  - Learn more about these easy and enjoyable outreach mechanisms that bring science to bars and coffee houses.  They provide a great opportunity for scientists from your collection to showcase their work!

• Encourage participation in Citizen Science initiatives -- what better way to engage people in the process of science than to get them involved! 

You can learn about more programs and opportunities to share science in 2009 by visiting the COPUS and Year of Science website on a regular basis.