By Brian Athey, Ph.D and Lesley Stone, J.D.
Science and engineering continues to be marginalized in the public discourse in the United States, even as these disciplines present solutions for societal needs and mounting global problems such as energy, climate change, ever-expanding healthcare costs and slow economic growth. SEA is working hard to turn this trend, and we believe progress is possible with an energized and active grassroots base guided by an informed and collaborative discussion with some of the nation’s leading experts. We are not narrowly focused on R&D budgets, though those are important as part of a broad investment in math and science education and economic competitiveness. We emphasize the essential contributions of science and engineering to the major societal challenges we face and to rational debate about how best to address those problems.
We plan to engage scientists, engineers and people who care about getting our country back on track through three main projects:
1. We launched the Science, Health and Related Policies (SHARP) Network just last week. Look up your representatives and learn where they stand on important science and health issues. We need your help filling in the gaps by editing each Presidential Candidate’s, Senator’s, and Representative’s wiki page.
2. Our Campaign Education and Training project will help prepare scientists, engineers, and physicians (or healthcare professionals) to run for office—from school boards to the federal government. By increasing the representation of scientists and engineers in our government, we will amplify the voice of reason in American policy. For example, scientists and engineers serving on school boards can help ensure that our science curriculum is accurate and that our students develop the science and math skills necessary to compete in a global economy. Scientists and engineers in office at the State and Federal level can help ensure that evidence-based science is the root of effective policy. Interested in running for office? We’re holding training workshops and producing materials that will help you.
3. A strong student base is essential for the success of any national movement. Through our University and College Chapters we will be able to tackle big issues on a local level. Students are the steam that runs our train and through SEA they will hone their political activism and advocacy skills, and have a forum for networking with others that care about the mission and goals of SEA. To date, SEA has chapters at New York University and Yale University, with students at several other major campuses beginning the process of becoming official chapters. It’s easy to start an SEA chapter on your campus. If you’ve been waiting for an opportunity to get active, now is your chance.
Politicians have said, “You must get engaged in our system to be heard and to gain influence”. We are mobilizing to build such grassroots involvement and to hold elected officials and candidates accountable for their views, their votes, and their commitments. With your help, we will build a community to successfully tackle the real grand challenges ahead. SEA is supplying the tools. The only question is when you’ll decide to use them. If you have not joined SEA yet, click here.
Dr. Brian Athey is an Associate Professor of Biomedical Informatics in the Department of Psychiatry and Associate Professor in the Center for Computational Medicine and Biology at the University of Michigan.
Lesley Stone is the Executive Director of Scientists and Engineers for America.
Not sure what you are going to do with the mountains of free time you have? Have you always wanted to do an internship, in Washington, without living in Washington? Not fond of pants? Well, SEA is launching our new virtual internship program. Members of the first SEA virtual intern class can be located anywhere in the world and will work remotely on specific SEA projects. As an intern you will work closely with SEA staff and be tasked with researching the positions elected officials and candidates for office take on science policy issues…and yes, you can do it from home in your pajamas. Virtual Interns will be an integral part of the SEA staff, and will participate in weekly administrative and policy calls.
We’d love to have your input. Simply review our basic 
There have been extensive updates to house Minority Leader, John Boehner’s (R-OH) page on SEA’s SHARP Network that are worth checking out. If you make any changes to the SHARP that you think are worth highlighting on this page, 
