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Carl Sagan Prize

Wonderfest’s Carl Sagan Prize for Science Popularization

“In exchange for freedom of inquiry, scientists are obliged to explain their work. If science is considered a closed priesthood, too difficult and arcane for the average person to understand, the dangers of abuse are greater. But if science is a topic of general interest and concern — if both its delights and its social consequences are discussed regularly and competently in the schools, the press, and at the dinner table — we have greatly improved our prospects for learning how the world really is and for improving both it and us.”

- Carl Sagan, Broca’s Brain, 1979
marcy
Geoff Marcy 2009		 sapolsky_100bw
Robert Sapolsky, 2008
See Keith Delvin's Bio
Keith Devlin, 2007		 See Paul Berg's Bio
Paul Berg, 2006		 See Jill Tarter's Bio
Jill Tarter, 2005
See Alex Filipenko's Bio
Alex Filippenko, 2004		 See Kevin Padian's Bio
Kevin Padian, 2003		 See Andy Fraknoi's Bio
Andy Fraknoi, 2002

The Board of Trustees of Wonderfest has established an award to honor Bay Area researchers who make science accessible. Our Carl Sagan Prize for Science Popularization includes a cash award of $5000.  The Sagan Prize is presented annually by the Wonderfest Trustees following a round of nominations by the Wonderfest Advisory Board. To be nominated, an individual must:

  1. Have contributed to the public understanding and appreciation of science.
  2. Be a resident of one of the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties.
  3. Have a history of accomplishment in scientific research, at least half of which was conducted in the Bay Area.

Annual Reviews

    Wonderfest’s Carl Sagan Prize for Science Popularization is generously underwritten by Annual Reviews as a tribute to their President and Editor-in-Chief Samuel Gubins.