More than 120 students and 20 coaches will visit Berkeley Lab tomorrow to test the limits of their scientific acumen as part of the Department of Energy’s Regional Science Bowl. The winning team will earn a spot at the National Science Bowl in Washington D.C. April 30 – May 5. Numerous Lab staff are volunteering their time as judges, timekeepers, and scorekeepers. The event is being hosted by the Center for Science and Engineering Education. More>
The Department of Energy’s Office of Science has released the national laboratory performance report cards for FY08. Based on the scores that Berkeley Lab received, a one-year extension of its contract with UC is expected. The Lab’s contract features an “award term” provision intended to provide incentives for meeting or exceeding the performance expectations stated in the annual Performance Management and Evaluation Plan. Under those provisions DOE may recognize such performances through phased extensions of the contract for up to a total of 20 years. For FY08, the Lab received an A for Scientific Facilities, A- for Mission Accomplishment, Leadership/Stewardship, and Business Systems, B+ for Program Management and Safeguards/Security, B for Infrastructure, and a B- for Environment, Safety and Health. More>
Special Event: Berkeley Lab Celebrates ‘Year of Science 2009’The Lab has added a new feature on its homepage in celebration of the national “Year of Science,” a year-long journey to demonstrate how we know what we know about our natural world and why science continues to be so vitally important to our communities, our country, and the world. Look for a different theme each month: February’s is “Evolution,” in honor of the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth. Go here to read about the surprising ways evolution plays a part in the goal to develop modern biofuels.
DOE Update: Obama Discusses ‘End of Oil Tyranny’ With DOE StaffDuring a talk with Department of Energy staff in Washington D.C. yesterday, President Barack Obama emphasized the need to quickly enact his economic recovery plan. A cornerstone of the plan, he said, is to “end the tyranny of oil in our time” with the creation of a clean energy industry. To help bolster that effort, Obama signed a memorandum requesting the DOE to set new efficiency standards for common household appliances. Go here to read his entire speech.
To accommodate construction of the User Support Building, up to 30 concrete trucks will be traveling along Cyclotron and Lawerence Roads adjacent to the ALS next week (Feb. 9-13). The trips will start at 7 a.m. and continue through 4 p.m. Drivers and pedestrians in these areas should use caution. Because the trucks will often be traveling at slow speeds (particularly uphill) drivers should not try to pass them.
Employee Development: UC Management Skills ProgramThe University of California's Management Skills Assessment Program (MSAP) takes place April 27 - May 1 in Asilomar (pictured). MSAP will provide supervisors (with one to three years of experience) feedback on their skills through group work in simulated management scenarios. The Lab can send three supervisors to be assessed and one person to serve as an assessor. The deadline to apply for these positions is March 6. More>
