In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln. signed an act incorporating the National Academy. of Sciences to advise the federal government on

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2 In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed an act incorporating the National Academy of Sciences to advise the federal government on any subject of science or art. As science and technology began to play increasingly important roles in national priorities and public life, the private, nonprofit National Academy of Sciences eventually expanded to include the National Research Council in 1916, the National Academy of Engineering in 1964, and the Institute of Medicine in 1970.

3 Painting by Albert Herter ( ) that imagines President Abraham Lincoln surrounded by some of the founders of the NAS at the signing of its charter Together without a direct appropriation from the government these institutions enlist the aid of the nation s most knowledgeable scientists, engineers, health professionals, and other experts who volunteer their time to provide authoritative, independent advice on many of the pressing challenges that face the nation and world. Each year, a small number of scientists are elected by their peers to membership in the National Academy of Sciences for outstanding contributions to research. Similar elections are conducted by the National Academy of Engineering and Institute of Medicine, and together their membership comprises more than 6,000 of the nation s most accomplished scientists, engineers, and health professionals.

4 Our History Throughout its history, the National Academy of Sciences has provided independent advice to the nation on matters related to science and technology. Most of the institution s science policy and technical work is conducted by the National Research Council, which was created in 1916 by executive order of President Woodrow Wilson expressly for this purpose. The Research Council provides a public service by working outside the framework of government to ensure unbiased, credible advice on matters of science, technology, and medicine. The National Academy of Engineering and Institute of Medicine were founded under the same congressional charter as the National Academy of Sciences and perform similar advisory roles. Our earliest reports addressed U.S. weights, measures, and coinage; examined magnetic deviation of compasses on the Navy s new ironclad warships; and proposed the creation of the National Park Service and the national park system. Other reports contributed to the founding of the U.S. Geological Survey and the reorganization of the National Weather Service and Signal Corps. Creating the National Academy of Sciences in 1863, in the middle of the Civil War, was bold. [T]he bold act can now be judged as a wise act, for science permeates our daily lives in ways unimaginable in RALPH J. CICERONE, President, National Academy of Sciences

5 Throughout the decades, we suggested methods for controlling landslides during the construction of the Panama Canal and studied highway safety as the nation s transportation system began to expand. Our report on the feasibility of the atomic bomb led to the Manhattan Project, and studies of the biological effects of atomic radiation led to national policy on this issue. A landmark 1962 evaluation of the research on conservation and development of the nation s natural resources came at the request of President Kennedy, and in the 1970s and 1980s, important studies on motor vehicle emission standards and acid rain were influential in bringing national and international attention to these issues. On the health front, in the 1980s we issued the first reports to identify research needed to confront the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Other studies led to an eventual ban on smoking during commercial airline flights and a blueprint for the Human Genome Project. And a landmark 1999 study on medical errors sparked a national movement to improve patient safety. (cover) Newly restored NAS building Photo courtesy CPNAS, 2012 Maxwell MacKenzie (facing page) NAS charter, March 3, 1863; Alexander Dallas Bache, first president of the NAS, ; members of the National Research Council staff during World War I (Robert A. Millikan is second from left); President John F. Kennedy accompanied by former NAS presidents Detlev W. Bronk and Frederick Seitz during the Academy s centennial convocation (background) Preliminary architectural rendering of the NAS building s Great Hall NAS Archives Collection (this page) Various Academy symposia, workshops, and information-gathering committee meetings

6 Making an Impact Today The Academy s past accomplishments can be seen as a prelude to the institution s work today. Our activities include roundtables and workshops to mobilize stakeholders on important issues; fellowships and awards to foster career development and recognize excellence; management of research programs; international collaborations to address a variety of problems; and consensus reports that reflect the deliberations and conclusions of expert study committees. Some recent reports are: ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT America s Climate Choices (2011), an ambitious suite of studies requested by Congress, provides our most comprehensive review of the scientific evidence on climate change to date and identifies actions that U.S. decision makers should take now to mitigate and adapt to the impacts. America s Energy Future (2009) informs the national debate about energy policy by providing authoritative estimates of the current contributions and future potential of existing and new energy technologies, their associated impacts, and projected costs. Macondo Well-Deepwater Horizon Blowout: Lessons for the Offshore Drilling Industry (2011) analyzes the causes of the worst accidental oil spill in U.S. history and recommends actions that the offshore drilling industry and regulators should take to minimize the risk of such a catastrophe occurring again. EDUCATION Science, Evolution, and Creationism (2008) documents the overwhelming evidence in support of biological evolution and evaluates alternative perspectives offered by advocates of creationism, concluding that science and religion are different, not necessarily conflicting, ways of understanding the world. A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas (2011) identifies the key scientific ideas and practices that all students should learn by the end of high school, strongly emphasizing the practices of science.

7 On Being a Scientist: A Guide to Responsible Conduct in Research (2009) offers researchers particularly early-career scientists and their mentors guidance on how to conduct research responsibly, avoid misconduct such as fabrication and plagiarism, and think about how to respond in complex ethical situations. HEALTH Accelerating Progress in Obesity Prevention: Solving the Weight of the Nation (2012) offers a comprehensive blueprint for battling the nation s obesity epidemic and identifies strategies for making healthy foods and beverages and opportunities for physical activity easy, routine, and appealing aspects of daily life. U.S. Health in International Perspective: Shorter Lives, Poorer Health (2013) compares the United States with 16 peer nations and finds that Americans die sooner and experience higher rates of disease. The report identifies many factors contributing to the disparities and calls for an intensified effort to establish national health objectives. LAW AND JUSTICE Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward (2009) identifies serious deficiencies in the nation s forensic science system, which is often relied upon for evidence in criminal trials and civil litigation. The report calls for upgrades to organizational structures, better training, widespread adoption of uniform and enforceable best practices, and mandatory certification and accreditation programs. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY Rising Above the Gathering Storm Revisited (2010) This update to a 2005 report calls for a concerted national effort to boost U.S. competitiveness in science and technology, warning that global competition and a decline in the quality of science and math education in the U.S. has been eroding the nation s standing for scientific and technological excellence. Grand Challenges for Engineering (2008) identifies 14 challenges in the 21st century including providing access to clean water, developing carbon sequestration methods, and engineering better medicines that, if met, would greatly improve the way people live.

8 1863 NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 1916 NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL 1964 NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING 1970 INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE