This column, "From the National Academies," was Bruce Alberts' idea, one of so many for improving education. As a long-standing member of the American Society for Cell Biology, the namesake for the prize that is awarded annually to cell biologists for excellence in science education, and one of the founding editors of this journal, Alberts established this column as a way for readers of this journal to learn more about the activities and resources that are available for improving K-12 and undergraduate science education. The author has been fortunate to work with him for several years on improving education and was honored to be asked to assume primary responsibility for producing these quarterly columns for this journal and to coauthor one column with him. Many articles could (and will) be written about Alberts' other accomplishments and leadership in international and public policy, and in transforming the National Academies in so many ways during his tenure (e.g., American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2005). This column is a tribute to Alberts so that all readers of this journal might better understand and appreciate how critically important his dedication and ceaseless work have been in raising awareness and concern for improvement of science education among college and university faculty and administrators. (Contains 1 figure and 8 footnotes.)