Northeast Community Engagement

Hi everyone, 

I recently posted a message in my town's unofficial Facebook page to identify how many people would be interested in starting a "science night", Q&A session, public science fair, etc. and specifically looked for local scientists, engineers, teachers, or anyone with a passion for science to join, with the goal of further engaging the community. 

Within half a day, numerous people commented and personally messaged me, to the point where I created a separate Facebook group called "The Flemington Science and Society Collective" and invited all of those who expressed interest. We have multiple scientists, biotech and pharma industry professionals, some of which recently retired. They all seem eager to engage the local comunity. I am thrilled! To keep momentum going, although I just created this group yesterday, I scheduled an informal Zoom meeting tomorrow evening for introductions. 

Since I have some time off work for the next couple of weeks, I'll be dedicating my energy to planning and organizing while using the resources on AAAS to assist me with science communications. 

I'm posting this message since no one has yet posted in the NE subcommittee and wish to inspire others to pursue "whatever works" in their own communities. I hope this helps. 

Any feedback or advice would also be gratefully welcomed and appreciated, as I have never done something like this before!

Best, 

Doug

Doug,

Thank you for your post and for your effort to build up a community. 

I want to chime in that we are setting up a free and public science fair in Waltham, MA on May 4th. We welcome participants and visiting scientists. Some more information can be found here.

Friendly hello to those involved in and promoting Science!

Olena

Hi everyone, 

I recently posted a message in my town's unofficial Facebook page to identify how many people would be interested in starting a "science night", Q&A session, public science fair, etc. and specifically looked for local scientists, engineers, teachers, or anyone with a passion for science to join, with the goal of further engaging the community. 

Within half a day, numerous people commented and personally messaged me, to the point where I created a separate Facebook group called "The Flemington Science and Society Collective" and invited all of those who expressed interest. We have multiple scientists, biotech and pharma industry professionals, some of which recently retired. They all seem eager to engage the local comunity. I am thrilled! To keep momentum going, although I just created this group yesterday, I scheduled an informal Zoom meeting tomorrow evening for introductions. 

Since I have some time off work for the next couple of weeks, I'll be dedicating my energy to planning and organizing while using the resources on AAAS to assist me with science communications. 

I'm posting this message since no one has yet posted in the NE subcommittee and wish to inspire others to pursue "whatever works" in their own communities. I hope this helps. 

Any feedback or advice would also be gratefully welcomed and appreciated, as I have never done something like this before!

Best, 

Doug

Hi everyone, 

I recently posted a message in my town's unofficial Facebook page to identify how many people would be interested in starting a "science night", Q&A session, public science fair, etc. and specifically looked for local scientists, engineers, teachers, or anyone with a passion for science to join, with the goal of further engaging the community. 

Within half a day, numerous people commented and personally messaged me, to the point where I created a separate Facebook group called "The Flemington Science and Society Collective" and invited all of those who expressed interest. We have multiple scientists, biotech and pharma industry professionals, some of which recently retired. They all seem eager to engage the local comunity. I am thrilled! To keep momentum going, although I just created this group yesterday, I scheduled an informal Zoom meeting tomorrow evening for introductions. 

Since I have some time off work for the next couple of weeks, I'll be dedicating my energy to planning and organizing while using the resources on AAAS to assist me with science communications. 

I'm posting this message since no one has yet posted in the NE subcommittee and wish to inspire others to pursue "whatever works" in their own communities. I hope this helps. 

Any feedback or advice would also be gratefully welcomed and appreciated, as I have never done something like this before!

Best, 

Doug

Hi Doug, I'm just over the river in Pennsylvania. I am interested in getting involved in the initiative you suggest. My experience is primarily in data processing. Relatively small data sets. I am knowledgeable about various computer programming languages. I am a post-positivist structuralist; given what global society is becoming, and the possibility that quantitative techniques are often as subjective as qualitative. I am still figuring statistics out. Thank you for assuming a leadership role in this blog. A "science night" appeals to me. While I am lower first class in academic circles, I make up for that with pragmatism. A drink post positivists like me should finish the day with. I am open to possibilities. Enjoy your weekend, John

Hi everyone, 

I recently posted a message in my town's unofficial Facebook page to identify how many people would be interested in starting a "science night", Q&A session, public science fair, etc. and specifically looked for local scientists, engineers, teachers, or anyone with a passion for science to join, with the goal of further engaging the community. 

Within half a day, numerous people commented and personally messaged me, to the point where I created a separate Facebook group called "The Flemington Science and Society Collective" and invited all of those who expressed interest. We have multiple scientists, biotech and pharma industry professionals, some of which recently retired. They all seem eager to engage the local comunity. I am thrilled! To keep momentum going, although I just created this group yesterday, I scheduled an informal Zoom meeting tomorrow evening for introductions. 

Since I have some time off work for the next couple of weeks, I'll be dedicating my energy to planning and organizing while using the resources on AAAS to assist me with science communications. 

I'm posting this message since no one has yet posted in the NE subcommittee and wish to inspire others to pursue "whatever works" in their own communities. I hope this helps. 

Any feedback or advice would also be gratefully welcomed and appreciated, as I have never done something like this before!

Best, 

Doug

Hi Doug, I'm just over the river in Pennsylvania. I am interested in getting involved in the initiative you suggest. My experience is primarily in data processing. Relatively small data sets. I am knowledgeable about various computer programming languages. I am a post-positivist structuralist; given what global society is becoming, and the possibility that quantitative techniques are often as subjective as qualitative. I am still figuring statistics out. Thank you for assuming a leadership role in this blog. A "science night" appeals to me. While I am lower first class in academic circles, I make up for that with pragmatism. A drink post positivists like me should finish the day with. I am open to possibilities. Enjoy your weekend, John

Hi everyone, 

I recently posted a message in my town's unofficial Facebook page to identify how many people would be interested in starting a "science night", Q&A session, public science fair, etc. and specifically looked for local scientists, engineers, teachers, or anyone with a passion for science to join, with the goal of further engaging the community. 

Within half a day, numerous people commented and personally messaged me, to the point where I created a separate Facebook group called "The Flemington Science and Society Collective" and invited all of those who expressed interest. We have multiple scientists, biotech and pharma industry professionals, some of which recently retired. They all seem eager to engage the local comunity. I am thrilled! To keep momentum going, although I just created this group yesterday, I scheduled an informal Zoom meeting tomorrow evening for introductions. 

Since I have some time off work for the next couple of weeks, I'll be dedicating my energy to planning and organizing while using the resources on AAAS to assist me with science communications. 

I'm posting this message since no one has yet posted in the NE subcommittee and wish to inspire others to pursue "whatever works" in their own communities. I hope this helps. 

Any feedback or advice would also be gratefully welcomed and appreciated, as I have never done something like this before!

Best, 

Doug

Hi everyone, 

I recently posted a message in my town's unofficial Facebook page to identify how many people would be interested in starting a "science night", Q&A session, public science fair, etc. and specifically looked for local scientists, engineers, teachers, or anyone with a passion for science to join, with the goal of further engaging the community. 

Within half a day, numerous people commented and personally messaged me, to the point where I created a separate Facebook group called "The Flemington Science and Society Collective" and invited all of those who expressed interest. We have multiple scientists, biotech and pharma industry professionals, some of which recently retired. They all seem eager to engage the local comunity. I am thrilled! To keep momentum going, although I just created this group yesterday, I scheduled an informal Zoom meeting tomorrow evening for introductions. 

Since I have some time off work for the next couple of weeks, I'll be dedicating my energy to planning and organizing while using the resources on AAAS to assist me with science communications. 

I'm posting this message since no one has yet posted in the NE subcommittee and wish to inspire others to pursue "whatever works" in their own communities. I hope this helps. 

Any feedback or advice would also be gratefully welcomed and appreciated, as I have never done something like this before!

Best, 

Doug

Hi Doug,

Thank you so much for starting us off with this post! I'm really interested in hearing about how your efforts go in your town. I'm about an hour away from you, but would be interested in collaborating on some initiatives if you would be open to that in the future.

------------------------------
Hailey Reiss
Association of Public Health Laboratories
Quakertown PA

Original Message:
Sent: 03-20-2025 12:07 PM
From: Douglas Job
Subject: Engaging locally in New Jersey

Hi everyone, 

I recently posted a message in my town's unofficial Facebook page to identify how many people would be interested in starting a "science night", Q&A session, public science fair, etc. and specifically looked for local scientists, engineers, teachers, or anyone with a passion for science to join, with the goal of further engaging the community. 

Within half a day, numerous people commented and personally messaged me, to the point where I created a separate Facebook group called "The Flemington Science and Society Collective" and invited all of those who expressed interest. We have multiple scientists, biotech and pharma industry professionals, some of which recently retired. They all seem eager to engage the local comunity. I am thrilled! To keep momentum going, although I just created this group yesterday, I scheduled an informal Zoom meeting tomorrow evening for introductions. 

Since I have some time off work for the next couple of weeks, I'll be dedicating my energy to planning and organizing while using the resources on AAAS to assist me with science communications. 

I'm posting this message since no one has yet posted in the NE subcommittee and wish to inspire others to pursue "whatever works" in their own communities. I hope this helps. 

Any feedback or advice would also be gratefully welcomed and appreciated, as I have never done something like this before!

Best, 

Doug

------------------------------
Douglas Job
Flemington NJ
------------------------------

Hi Hailey, 

I would totally be open to collaborating in the future!

It started off with a lot of steam but momentum tapered off a bit, which I sort of expected. However, there are a few people who remain enthustiastic and I scheduled a meetup. I'm going to create a series of meetups starting on Tuesdays (04/22 is the first one) and will likely have to change the day/time and location in the future based on different factors, as people outside of Flemington expressed interest.

Here are some things somewhat worthy of note so far:

I noticed a general cynicism towards feasibility and success in some groups, which certainly didn't require hindsight to realize. It can take some energy to express empathy and counter the cynicism. 

Importantly, I connected with a couple of people that are on the town council/committees, and they are interested in staying connected and assisting me when they can. 

It's mainly been me trying to organize everything and build a strategy (including advertising) so I'm trying to identify potential leaders who are able to devote some time in strategizing and sharing knowledge. I'm hoping that the meetups over time will help with this, and I expect that there may be an occassion where it's just me sitting waiting for people to show up. Consistency is always key!

Best, 

Doug

------------------------------
Douglas Job
Flemington NJ

Original Message:
Sent: 04-11-2025 08:53 AM
From: Hailey Reiss
Subject: Engaging locally in New Jersey

Hi Doug,

Thank you so much for starting us off with this post! I'm really interested in hearing about how your efforts go in your town. I'm about an hour away from you, but would be interested in collaborating on some initiatives if you would be open to that in the future.

------------------------------
Hailey Reiss
Association of Public Health Laboratories
Quakertown PA

Original Message:
Sent: 03-20-2025 12:07 PM
From: Douglas Job
Subject: Engaging locally in New Jersey

Hi everyone, 

I recently posted a message in my town's unofficial Facebook page to identify how many people would be interested in starting a "science night", Q&A session, public science fair, etc. and specifically looked for local scientists, engineers, teachers, or anyone with a passion for science to join, with the goal of further engaging the community. 

Within half a day, numerous people commented and personally messaged me, to the point where I created a separate Facebook group called "The Flemington Science and Society Collective" and invited all of those who expressed interest. We have multiple scientists, biotech and pharma industry professionals, some of which recently retired. They all seem eager to engage the local comunity. I am thrilled! To keep momentum going, although I just created this group yesterday, I scheduled an informal Zoom meeting tomorrow evening for introductions. 

Since I have some time off work for the next couple of weeks, I'll be dedicating my energy to planning and organizing while using the resources on AAAS to assist me with science communications. 

I'm posting this message since no one has yet posted in the NE subcommittee and wish to inspire others to pursue "whatever works" in their own communities. I hope this helps. 

Any feedback or advice would also be gratefully welcomed and appreciated, as I have never done something like this before!

Best, 

Doug

------------------------------
Douglas Job
Flemington NJ
------------------------------