Sponsored by The Whitaker Foundation, the AAAS Science Journalism Awards program, informally known as the "AAAS pinnacle of excellence prize," represents the ultimate achievement in the field of science reporting. Six reporters were named to receive AAAS Science Journalism Awards this year, recognizing exemplary communications efforts, completed between July 1, 2001 and June 30, 2002, on behalf of large and small newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and online media outlets.

"With scientists and journalists as judges, this award is a double honor and doubly humbling," said Peter N. Spotts, science and technology correspondent for The Christian Science Monitor in Boston and this year's winner for smaller newspapers. "I also feel a bit like the kid who brings home his first straight-A report card. His parents say, 'We knew you could do it. Now, keep it up!' The award poses a similar challenge to all its recipients: to hit that level of excellence with greater consistency.

The 2002 AAAS Science Journalism Award recipients, below, will each receive a $2,500 cash award and plaque during a gala reception at the 2003 AAAS Annual Meeting in Denver next February. (See www.aaas.org to register for the Annual Meeting):

Newspapers with a circulation of more than 100,000

Andrew C. Revkin of The New York Times was honored for three articles: "U.S. Sees Problems in Climate Change" (June 3, 2002); "Sunken Fires Menace Land and Climate" (January 15, 2002); and "The Devil is in the Details" (July 3, 2001). "Fires are burning in thousands of underground coal seams from Pennsylvania to Mongolia, releases toxic gases, adding millions of tons of hea
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