Science and technology take center stage this election year

10:30 AM – 2:30 PM – “Advances in Probabilistic Reasoning and Causal Inference” at the University of Pennsylvania, Institute for Research in Cognitive Science – a symposium honoring 2008 Benjamin Franklin Medalist in Computer and Cognitive Science, Dr. Judea Pearl. Speakers include Dr. Pearl, Professor A. Philip Dawid, University of Cambridge, Professor Michael I. Jordan, University of California, Berkeley, Professor Michael Kearns, University of Pennsylvania. Co-Sponsored by The Franklin Institute and the Institute for Research in Cognitive Science & Dept. of Computer and Information Science, University of Pennsylvania.

Friday, April 18:

10:00 AM – 12 Noon – “Rethinking Thin: The New Science of Weight Loss-and the Myths and Realities of Dieting,”at the Patent Library of The Franklin Institute – a lecture and book signing by Host of this year’s Franklin Institute Awards Ceremony, author and senior writer for The New York Times, Gina Kolata.

These special events provide a rare window of opportunity for young people and interested adults to meet and mingle with some of the most brilliant minds in science, business and technology in the world today. The culmination of this exciting week celebrating science is the Awards Ceremony and Dinner, generously presented by Bank of America on Thursday evening, April 17th throughout The Franklin Institute. Awards Week Sponsor and Associate Sponsor of The Franklin Institute’s Awards Ceremony and Dinner is Cephalon, Inc. Serving as host for this elegant black-tie event will be author and New York Times senior writer, Gina Kolata.

Additional Associate Sponsors include Centocor, Inc., Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc., Four Seasons Hotel, Marshview Associates, Don & Lauren Morel, Philadelphia Newspapers, LLC, William & Susan Shea and West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

For high resolution photos, video profiles and further details on The Franklin Institute Awards, please visit www.fi.edu/franklinawards/press.

The 2008 Franklin Institute Award Medalists are available for interviews. Please call Lynda Bramble at 215.448.1176 or

OVERVIEW THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE AWARDS

History

The Franklin Institute’s recognition of achievements in science and technology dates to its founding in 1824. As the nation’s largest city and its center of innovation and manufacturing, Philadelphia was a natural home for the Institute, which was established to train artisans and mechanics in the fundamentals of science. The Institute soon began arranging a series of regular exhibitions of manufactured goods, and as part of that began presenting awards to recognize excellence in those areas.

In 1874 the all-volunteer Franklin Institute Committee on Science and the Arts began selecting Franklin Institute Award recipients. The Committee continues its work to this day, recognizing the fields of chemistry, computer and cognitive sciences, earth and environmental science, engineering, life science and physics with Benjamin Franklin Medals, among the oldest and most prestigious science awards in the world.