Dennis Schatz is author of 21 science books for children that have sold almost 2 million copies worldwide and have been translated into 23 languages. His most popular books include Dinosaurs Sterebook, Uncover A T.rex, the Fossil Detective series of three books and the popular Totally series of six books (Totally Dinosaurs in 2000 to Totally Sea Creatures in 2003). He is also co-author/editor of several curriculum resources for teachers, including Astro-Adventures, Universe At Your Fingertips and More Universe At Your Fingertips. His personal dream -- some would call it a fantasy -- is to have science be as pervasive as sports in our society. Imagine afterschool science, intramural science and that pick-up science activity down at the local park. He will know that the dream is a reality when everyone has to rush home for Monday Night Science. He has received numerous honors, including the 1996 Distinguished Informal Science Educator Award from the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). He recently received NSTA's 2005 lifetime achievement award (Distinguished Service to Science Education). In 2009, he received the Faraday Science Communicator Award, presented annually by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). This award recognizes and honors an individual or organization that has inspired the public's interest in and appreciation of science. He joins an elite group of highly prestigious honorees: last year's winner was the PBS series NOVA, and in 2007 the award was presented to NPR Science Correspondent Ira Flatow. In 2006 ASTC made him an ASTC Fellow for his lifetime achievement in service to the field and furthering the public's understanding of science. He is only one of 24 ASTC Fellows awarded in the history of ASTC and the first non-CEO or public official to receive the award. A research solar astronomer prior to his career in science education, he worked at the Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California, Berkeley, prior to moving to Seattle in 1977. As Senior Vice President for Strategic Programs at Pacific Science Center in Seattle, Washington, he provides leadership to several of Pacific Science Center's major initiatives, including Washington State LASER and Portal to the Public. He co-directs Washington State LASER (Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform), a program to implement a quality K-12 science program in all 295 school districts in Washington State. The Portal to the Public effort is a new initiative to develop programs - both onsite and off -- that engage the public in understanding the current science research being conducted in our community. The first major Portal to the Public program is an NSF grant to develop and research effective models to engage the public in understanding current science research via face-to-face interactions with scientists.
