Science Cheerleader

(Thanks to subscriber Bart for this news from  the UK Times Online.)

India set to follow cheap car with £7 laptop. The government-developed computer prototype will assist in bridging the ‘digital divide’ between rich and poor. 

Related story: Why Microsoft and Intel tried to kill the XO $100 laptop. Negroponte had a vision: to build a $100 laptop and give away millions to educate the world’s poorest children. And then the fat-cat multinationals got scared and broke it.

Had some terrific meetings in D.C. on Monday. Then I got slammed with a 24-hour virus (courtesy of my kids). Met the CEO of Discover, Henry Donahue, for coffee. (SO nice and very smart).

 Then met with Newt Gingrich and Rita Colwell to brainstorm tactics on behalf of the Science Debate team. (Talk about brain power–them, not me). Picture on left was taken in the late 90s when I met Newt through the Discover Technology Awards (a program I directed back when Disney owned Discover).

 Then, met with a dynamic and eclectic group interested in reopening the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment. Yes, I realize the irony (Newt shut down the Office of Tech Assessment as part of the Contract with America in 1995.) Read the summary notes and consider joining our cause here.

Here’s what I recently sent to the Facebook team (may sound Greek without the history and context you will find on the Facebook page: “hey, hey Open the OTA with citizen input!”:
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A dear friend, Neil Gussman, who works at the Chemical Heritage Foundation and shares his insights on his blog, Back in the Army Now, was just given the green light to deploy for service at 7:30 am tomorrow!

At the age of 54, he’s one of the oldest men on active duty in the Army.

Read his inspirational story. 

Stay safe, Neil! 

A colleague of mine, Chris Mooney (author of the Republican War on Science) recently published an article in Slate magazine: “Mission Accomplished. The “war on science” is over. Now what?”  I encourage you to read the full report. I found two points statistically fascinating (although they’re not related to his main points):

” While scientists may be resurgent in Washington, their world as a whole remains distant and bizarre to most Americans. Only 18 percent of us know a scientist personally, according to a 2005 survey (subscription required), and when asked in 2007 to name scientific “role models,” the results were dismal. Forty-four percent of Americans couldn’t come up with a name at all, and among those few who did, their top answers were either not scientists or not alive: Bill Gates, Al Gore, Albert Einstein.”

Do you personally know a scientist? (I do.)  And, let’s hear it: “Name a scientific role model.” (Mine include Story Musgrave, Marvin Minsky, Sally Ride….)  I just asked my 11-year-old daughter to name one and she said: “Ask me anything else. OK. Albert Einstein or Weird Al Yankovic.” She may not have inherited my love of science but she’s got a wicked sense of humor.

Cheers!

Stay tuned…the girls recorded each of Dr. Trefil’s 18 science concepts based on his book, Science Matters (which every adult needs to know to be considered a science literate). The videos will be posted here along with an online quiz. Pass it and you’ll win a Science Cheerleader T-shirt and certificate to prove you are a Science Literate (only 7% of the adult American population can lay claim to that!).

Here’s a picture of me from back in the day when I was a 76ers girl. Never realized the power of gravity until I started to age….

In an effort to learn more about the fascinating and growing demography of folks known as Citizen Scientists, Michael and I created an online Citizen Science Survey.

Consider participating in the brief, online survey. The results will be shared with participating citizen science project directors and used to help Michael and I design an online resource tailored specifically for the needs of citizen scientists and the professional researchers involved in such projects.

Special thanks to Phil Edelstein, Terrie Miller , Forrest Mims III, and the good folks at the EPA’s Water Monitoring program!

Subscriber Judi found this NYTimes article via E-School News. Thanks, Judi!

In ‘Geek Chic’ and Obama, New Hope for Lifting Women in Science

I’ve pulled two particularly interesting findings from the article, followed by one suggestion from the author.

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Wow. Anyone curious about science and math education–what’s taught, how it’s taught, the political interplay, where we rank against other nations and more– will appreciate the following thoughtful and provocative article written by guest blogger Bart Leahy from Bartacus.com

 Educating the Next Generation, Part Two.

This is part two of a two-part article on the U.S. results from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), in which American 4th and 8th graders placed around the middle of the pack compared to other nations’ students in math and science. While part one dealt with policy and political issues surrounding the TIMSS, this section will focus on what is taught in today’s 4th and 8th grade math/science classrooms, and how it is taught.
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As a follow up to Bart’s guest blog post, “Educating the Next Generation,” here’s a list of free educational resources. 

Cheers!

Obviously, with a name like “Science Cheerleader” I spend a lot of time advocating (good) science, in addition to technology, engineering and math (but “STEM Cheerleader” just doesn’t sound as cool).

I’d like to take this opportunity to recognize the importance of other life-enriching subjects including, but limited to, music, art, dance, writing, religion, philosophy, history…

In this spirit, I present you with a wonderful article written by my very talented sister-in-law, Debbie Cavalier, a Dean at Berklee College of Music. To her thousands of adoring little fans, she’s just Debbie from the musical group Debbie and Friends. Not surprisingly, this article focuses on the importance of music.

DO WE REALLY NEED A REASON? by Debbie Cavalier

John J. Mahlmann, executive director of the National Association for Music Education, was quoted in the Washington Post as saying he is tired of having to defend the importance of music education. He often finds it necessary to rattle off statistics about how music improves the lives of people who study it. The sheer joy of playing and understanding music isn’t enough, he said.
So he has an unorthodox response to educators: “Why is math so high on the priority list?”

His answer: “Because we can test for it.”

The thing people forget, he said, is that musicians are assessed every time they play an instrument. “If you went to a concert and they only played 80 percent of the notes correctly, you wouldn’t like it,” he said. “Musicians strive for perfection. Lots of people don’t mind 80 percent on a math quiz.”

Here are some more “reasons” why music education matters, as collected and presented by Valerie Strauss of the Washington Post. (more…)