The speaker lineup is taking shape for this year’s Colloquium. If you’ve ever wondered about how much the line blurs between real science and science fiction, you shouldn’t miss this year’s event.

Colloquium 2013: Between Science Fiction and Science is scheduled for July 2 in conjunction with the Annual Gathering in Fort Worth, Texas. Among this year’s panelists are:

• Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch (U.S. Army, retired), who will explore the military applications of robots, asking just how far we want to push these mechanical warriors. After a 35-year military career, Lynch became executive director of the University of Texas at Arlington’s Automation & Robotics Research Institute.
• Best-selling science fiction writer Todd Johnson McCaffrey, who will offer his insights into where the genre has been and where it’s going, with a quick tour of then-and-now classics. He has written eight books in the Pern universe, both as a solo author and in collaboration with his mother, Anne McCaffrey.
• Award-winning science fiction author Robert J. Sawyer, who will explore how science fiction writers extrapolate the future. Along the way, he will show how 2001: A Space Odyssey inspired an entire generation of computer scientists and examine the notion of the technological singularity, when machine intelligence will supposedly exceed that of humans. Sawyer is one of only eight writers to have won all three of science fiction’s top awards for best novel of the year.

Besides the worlds of robotics and science fiction, this year’s event will explore how our boundless imagination is finding purchase within the boundaries of science. The event is open to the public. To get more information and register, visit www.colloquium.us.mensa.org.

Colloquium and other Foundation programming are possible because of the generous donations from people like you. To support the Foundation, please visit www.mensafoundation.org/donate.

The scholarship program, which began accepting online applications in 2012, more than doubled the number of entrants in the first test of the online process. More than 9,400 applications were submitted during the application period (Sept. 15, 2012-Jan. 15, 2013).

The process has never been easier. “Now that I’ve seen and entered the awards, the process seems almost too simple,” said Sabine Globig, Local Scholarship Chair (Blue Grass Mensa).

Applicants are required to write an essay up to 550 words essay and fill out a general application. Eligibility requirements for a general Mensa Foundation scholarship include legal U.S. residency and enrollment at an accredited U.S. institution of post-secondary education for the 2013 academic year. The application is available Sept. 15 through Jan. 15 at www.mensafoundation.org/scholarships. A number of Mensa Foundation scholarships are awarded with no restrictions regarding age, gender, academic grade point average, or financial need, as long as the applicant resides in the area of a participating Local Group. Most scholarships are based solely on the essay written by the applicant, and special category scholarships are awarded to applicants who meet specific academic or personal requirements.

“You did a great job of transitioning this process from paper to Internet,” said Dave Howard, Local Scholarship Chair (Northwest Florida Mensa).

Since 1997, the Foundation has awarded more than $900,000 in scholarships to deserving students. Your donation to the Mensa Foundation helps fund this program and many others. Give today at www.mensafoundation.org/donate.

Donations to the Mensa Foundation provide ongoing support of research and recognition of human intelligence, and donors receive a number of benefits and communications. Besides this enewsletter, donors receive Foundation Impact, which shows the lasting effects of donations and highlights Foundation programs and award recipients.

Additionally, the Foundation offers these gifts as a way of saying “thank you” for your support:

• At the $50, $75 and $100 levels, donors receive commemorative pins.
• At the $200-$299 level, donors receive a Gildan Ultra Cotton™ T-shirt.
• At the $300-$499 level, donors receive an UltraClub® Classic Pique Cotton Polo in men’s or women’s styles.
• At the $500 and above level, donors receive a Foundation donor T-shirt and an UltraClub® Adult Lightweight Blend Soft Shell Jacket.

All clothing gifts are fulfilled by the Mensa Store (www.mensastore.com). To support the Foundation, visit www.mensafoundation.org/donate.

The Mensa Foundation's commitment to educational outreach and gifted youth has never been stronger, and several examples illustrate that.

• Advanced reading skills are a hallmark of giftedness, and establishing a book club for young readers is a great way to reinforce that. Among the resources at www.mensafoundation.org/giftedspecialist is a step-by-step guide that leads adults through the process of establishing youth book groups. The guide includes ideas on where to find books, how to host a book group and how to avoid common pitfalls.
• Connecting Africa is a new lesson plan designed to prepare students to better understand the richness and significance of the continent of Africa. In this lesson plan, students explore the vast geographical and cultural issues of the cradle of civilization. Find it and other lesson plans at at www.mensaforkids.org/teachers.
• Several new TED® Connections are available at www.mensaforkids.org/teachers, including a light-hearted talk by Matt Cutts on how to set and achieve goals in 30 days. This and other TED Connections are short, easy-to-use guides that help teachers, parents and young people get more out of TED Talks in classrooms or at home.

For information on other Foundation programs, visit www.mensafoundation.org.

Each month, Foundation leaders address projects, programs and the general news of American Mensa's philanthropic arm. Members have the opportunity to learn our programs and efforts from the Trustees themselves, as well as from committee chairs, appointees, donors, staff members, and supporters of the Foundation. Colloquium updates, donation efforts and outreach opportunities are just a few of the topics covered. The columns provide a great way to stay up-to-date and learn more about where your valuable contributions are going.

Can't find your current Bulletin copy? Head to www.mensafoundation.org/foundationvoices to read the organization's blog. You'll find the latest columns, as well as thoughts from Foundation leaders and supporters. We hope you'll find their insights informational and inspiring.

The Winter 2013 issue of Mensa Research Journal is out. In it, Executive Editor Robin Crawford writes:

“In this issue, you’ll find a fascinating article about parental influences on the motivation of gifted children, which struck me as both disheartening and helpful. I have gifted teens who are occasionally unmotivated, and it seems my go-to techniques are the exact opposite of what the research shows to be most effective.”

There is more on education for gifted youth, as well as articles on creativity, in the current MRJ. Order your copy or subscribe at www.mensafoundation.org/mrj.

The readership of Bright — which encourages kids ages 6-10 to learn, explore and think in new ways — continues to expand. The smart monthly enewsletter has more than 1,600 subscribers with a 141 percent open rate, which indicates that readers are not only opening it but also sharing it with their friends.

Brought to you by Mensa for Kids and the Mensa Education & Research Foundation, each issue of Bright features fun games, puzzles, activities and factoids tailored toward curious kids.

It’s easy to subscribe. Current Mensa members can sign up at www.us.mensa.org /enewsletters, and nonmembers can visit www.mensaforkids.org/bright and follow the links under “Bright Newsletter.” (Parental permission is required for nonmembers under age 13.) The most current 90 days of issues are available on both Web sites.

Support the Mensa Foundation and programs like this at www.mensafoundation.org/donate.

Have you considered making a donation to the Mensa Education & Research Foundation?

For 40 years, the Mensa Foundation has been pursuing excellence in the study and use of intelligence. We’ve awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships, published more than 50 issues of the Mensa Research Journal and recognized numerous researchers, educators and journalists for their work. More recently, we have reinvigorated our focus on gifted youth.

These accomplishments in the area of intelligence herald a bright future for the Foundation. We hope you’ll join us in this future by making a donation today. Donations to the Mensa Foundation are tax-deductible. To support the Foundation, please visit www.mensafoundation.org/donate.