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Science Idol: The Scientific Integrity Editorial Cartoon Contest

Grand Prize:
 An all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C., plus a cash prize
 Cartoon printed in UCS publications and displayed on the UCS website
 Cartoon featured on the cover of the 2009 Scientific Integrity calendar
 Fifty copies of the 2009 calendar, including one signed by all contest judges
 A copy of Kal Draws Criticism signed by cartoonist and celebrity judge Kevin Kallaugher
 Priceless promotion by the Union of Concerned Scientists

Meet the celebrity judges: 
With our help, these award-winning cartoonists chose the 12 finalists from hundred of entries.
 Dave Coverly—Creator of the syndicated cartoon Speed Bump
 Kevin Kallaugher—Editorial cartoonist for The Economist 
  Mike Keefe—Editorial cartoonist for the Denver Post
  Wiley Miller—Creator of the synidacated cartoon Non Sequitur
  Jesse Springer—Last year's Science Idol winner 
  Signe Wilkinson—Pulitzer prize winning editorial cartoonist for the Philadelphia Daily News

Editorial Cartoons Can Be Funny. Political Interference in Science Is Not.

This spring, creative minds throughout America had the opportunity to show off their artistic and comedic talents in support of independent science by entering the third annual Scientific Integrity Editorial Cartoon Contest. After hundreds of cartoons were entered and over 20,000 citizens voted, Justin Bilicki is this year's Science Idol with this winning cartoon:

2008 Science Idol WinnerRead more about Justin and see all contest finalists.

And new this year, the original watercolor print of the winning cartoon is being auctioned off by the artist, with all proceeds going to UCS. Bidding closes August 30. 

You can also order your 2009 Scientific Integrity Cartoon Calendar here!

Recent investigations and surveys show that political interference in science has harmed the ability of federal agencies to protect our health, safety, and environment. While guarding against last minute attacks from the outgoing administration, we are building a foundation to guide the next president in restoring scientific integrity to federal policy making. The next president and Congress must renew the independence of science at federal government agencies and create a thriving scientific enterprise.

The Scientific Integrity Calendar 
Last year's contest calendar helped educate hundreds of thousands of people about how our health, safety and environment suffer when federal science is misused. Thousands of calendars featuring last year’s winning cartoons are displayed in universities, government labs, and even in the United States Capitol!

You can order a 2009 Scientific Integrity Calendar here. These calendars make great gifts for scientists, students, and all citizens dedicated to scientific integrity in government science.

How Else Can You Defend Science from Political Interference?
If you're a scientist, engineer, or health professional with an advanced degree, speak out against political interference in science by joining 15,000 of your colleagues in the Restoring Scientific Integrity Network. You'll show your support for independent science and have the opportunity to be kept informed about this vital issue. If you're a non-scientist, join the UCS Action Network to help us defend science from manipulation, distortion, and suppression and to work for a healthier environment and a safer world.