Coalition for Plasma Science
Stored: Coalition for Plasma Science
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | Partnership |
| Top Organization | Not applicable |
| Creation Legislation | None |
| Website | Website |
| Purpose | The Coalition for Plasma Science increases public awareness and understanding of plasma science and its diverse applications in everyday life and future technologies. It unites institutions, companies, and researchers to educate the public, media, educators, and policymakers about plasmas as the fourth state of matter. |
| Program Start | 1996 |
| Initial Funding | Not specified; supported by member contributions |
| Duration | Ongoing |
| Historic | No |
Coalition for Plasma Science (CPS) is a collaborative program founded by plasma scientists and organizations to promote awareness and understanding of plasma science, a field encompassing the study of ionized gases that constitute over 99% of the visible universe and enable technologies from lighting to potential fusion energy. The program increases public awareness and understanding of plasma science and its diverse applications—such as in manufacturing, medicine, and space propulsion—uniting universities, companies, and professional societies like the IEEE Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society to educate diverse audiences including the public, media, K-12 educators, and policymakers through outreach, publications, and events. Launched in 1996, CPS has grown to influence science education and public policy, notably through efforts like its Plasma Science Prize at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair and congressional briefings.
Goals
- Enhance public and congressional awareness of plasma science and its societal benefits.
- Integrate plasma education into K-12 curricula, targeting inclusion in national science standards.
- Foster collaboration among plasma science stakeholders, with success measured by outreach events and educational resource usage.
Organization
The Coalition for Plasma Science operates as a partnership of member organizations, including universities like MIT and Princeton, companies like General Atomics, and societies like the American Physical Society. It is funded through contributions from these members, with no single sponsoring agency dominating; leadership rotates among representatives, historically including figures like Dr. Gerald Rogoff of the IEEE. CPS activities are coordinated by a steering committee, with efforts like publications and events driven by member expertise and resources.
The leader of the program holds the title of CPS Chair, with Dr. Gerald Rogoff serving as a notable past chair, though the current chair as of 2025 is not specified.
Partners
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Princeton University
- General Atomics
- IEEE Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society
- American Physical Society
- University of California, San Diego
History
The Coalition for Plasma Science was established in 1996 by plasma physicists and organizations seeking to bridge the gap between the field’s broad applications and its limited public recognition, emerging without specific legislation but through a collective need for advocacy. Early efforts focused on producing educational materials like brochures and posters, with a significant milestone being the 2005 introduction of a $1,500 Plasma Science Prize at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. CPS has since expanded its outreach, hosting events like the 2021 APS DPP panel on interdisciplinary plasma science and pushing for plasma’s inclusion in the National Science Education Standards, with plans to leverage digital tools and AI for future education.
Funding
Initial funding in 1996 was not publicly detailed, relying on contributions from founding members like universities and industry partners. Funding began with CPS’s inception and continues through member dues and in-kind support, with no set end date. Additional resources have been allocated for specific projects, such as the Plasma Science Prize and congressional exhibits, sustained by the coalition’s collaborative model rather than federal appropriations.
Implementation
CPS carries out its mission through educational publications (e.g., two-page plasma topic write-ups), teacher resources like the CPS Education Web Site, and public events such as congressional receptions and science fair awards. Strategies include partnering with educators to align resources with national standards and hosting panels at conferences like APS GEC. The program has no defined end date, focusing on sustained outreach to grow plasma science’s visibility and educational impact.
Related
External links
Social media
- None identified