The Coalition for National Science Funding held another successful Science Exposition on Capitol Hill last night and once again CRA played a part. Manning this year’s booth for CRA was Dr. R. Michael Young from North Carolina State University who did a fantastic job showing his work using the underlying technology of video games for more serious educational and research purposes. The exhibit received a great deal of attention from Congressional staff, Members of Congress, and other exhibitors. The event, a sort of science fair for Congress and staff, had 32 booths manned by researchers representing universities and scientific societies featuring some of the important research funded by the National Science Foundation. NSF showed its support for the event with staff coming out en masse including Director of NSF Arden Bement, shown here with Rep. David Price (NC).

Several hundred attendees roamed the room this year including a number of Congressmen, such as Rep. Price and Rep. Vernon Ehlers (MI), shown here with Dr. Young at the CRA exhibit. Other federal agencies who attended were NASA and OMB.

As we’ve noted before in this space, personal visits to members of Congress and their staff are vital to getting the message about the importance of computing research out. If you are coming to Washington and would like to visit your Representative and Senators, let us know and we’ll be happy to help with appointments and provide materials for your use!