[1] AAAS was the first permanent organization established to promote science and engineering nationally and to represent the interests of American researchers from across all scientific fields.

It was a reformation of the Association of American Geologists and Naturalists with the broadened mission to be the first permanent organization to promote science and engineering nationally and to represent the interests of American researchers from across all scientific fields[3][4] The society chose William Charles Redfield as their first president[5] because he had proposed the most comprehensive plans for the organization.

[6] By doing so, the association aimed to use resources to conduct science with increased efficiency and allow for scientific progress at a greater rate.

[7] The association also sought to increase the resources available to the scientific community through active advocacy of science.

[9] At a meeting held on Friday afternoon, September 22, 1848, Redfield presided, and Matthew Fontaine Maury gave a full scientific report on his Wind and Current Charts.

The minutes of the AAAS meeting reveal that because of the universality of this "view on the subject, it was suggested whether the states of Christendom might not be induced to cooperate with their Navies in the undertaking; at least so far as to cause abstracts of their log-books and sea journals to be furnished to Matthew F. Maury, USN, at the Naval Observatory at Washington.

"[citation needed] William Barton Rogers, professor at the University of Virginia and later founder of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, offered a resolution: "Resolved that a Committee of five be appointed to address a memorial to the Secretary of the Navy, requesting his further aid in procuring for Matthew Maury the use of the observations of European and other foreign navigators, for the extension and perfecting of his charts of winds and currents."

Also, the reputation of the AAAS was somewhat tarnished, because its 3rd president Alexander Dallas Bache used the Society as a lobbying tool for his agency, the US Coast Survey.

[12] The next turning point in the AAS history was the partnership with journal Science, which became the society's official publication in 1900,[13] and provided the AAAS with some revenue through subscription and advertising.

The post–World War II big science, driven by major scientific and technical breakthroughs (such as space flight, nuclear power and the discovery of DNA) brought in an increased public interest in science in the USA, and thus growing sales of the journal, which were further multiplied by shrewd businesses decisions by its editors Dael Wolfle (1954-1970) and William D. Carey (1974-1985).

[14] Another important event for the society was the establishment of its Congressional Fellowship program[15] in 1973, which was kick-started by a US$10,000 donation from William T.

[16] Alan I. Leshner, AAAS CEO from 2001 until 2015, published many op-ed articles discussing how many people integrate science and religion in their lives.

He has opposed the insertion of non-scientific content, such as creationism or intelligent design, into the scientific curriculum of schools.

Geraldine Richmond is the president of AAAS for 2015–16; Phillip Sharp is the board chair; and Barbara A. Schaal is the president-elect.

[30][31] On the last day of the 2016 AAAS Annual Meeting, February 15, 2016,[32] Richmond will become the chair, Schaal will become the president, and a new president-elect will take office.

Among them: explorer and geologist John Wesley Powell (1888); astronomer and physicist Edward Charles Pickering (1912); anthropologist Margaret Mead (1975); and biologist Stephen Jay Gould (2000).

The current chairman is Gerald Fink, Margaret and Herman Sokol Professor at Whitehead Institute, MIT.

The AAAS council elects every year, its members who are distinguished scientifically,[39] to the grade of fellow (FAAAS).

Each year, the AAAS gives out a number of honorary awards, most of which focus on science communication, journalism, and outreach – sometimes in partnership with other organizations.

The society previously published the review journal Science Books & Films (SB&F).

[49] Its stated mission is to increase the amount and quality of research-backed evidence in news stories by connecting U.S. journalists to scientists and to validated scientific information.

website, an editorially independent nonprofit news release distribution service[54] covering all areas of science, medicine and technology.

[59] Working staff journalists and freelancers who meet eligibility guidelines can access the latest studies before publication and obtain embargoed information in compliance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's Regulation Fair Disclosure policy.