The Best of Our Knowledge on WAMC

The Best Of Our Knowledge #1182

Bob Barrett — Wed, 15 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

As more attention is being given to the problem of bullying in school, more attention is being focused on the bullies themselves. What is it that causes a bully to be a bully? Today on The Best Of Our Knowledge, we’ll look into the minds of bullies, and then hear from the NIH about predicting psychological illness.

We’ll also hear about a cheating scandal at a New York State university that is causing concern throughout the region. And we’ll spend an academic minute feeling good about ourselves.

The Best Of Our Knowledge #1181

Bob Barrett — Wed, 08 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Since the 16th century, scientists have speculated about exo-planets. Which are, quite simply, planets that exist outside our solar system and orbit other stars in the galaxy. However it wasn’t until the 1980s that the first confirmed discovery of an exo-planet was documented. Today on The Best Of Our Knowledge, our Astrobiology Series returns featuring a fascinating conservation with a University of Chicago researcher about exo-planets.

Plus we’ll spend an academic minute finding out how some tiny stowaways in space could cause big problems for future space missions.

The Best Of Our Knowledge #1180

Bob Barrett — Wed, 01 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

As efforts to end bullying in schools continues, a lot of time and study is being put into trying to find out who may be the most likely targets of bullies...and why. Today on The Best Of Our Knowledge, part three of our five part series on bullying.

We’ll also talk about another student safety issue...the safety of students who travel abroad and what can be done to make sure your child is safe while studying in a foreign land. We’ll meet a young lady who is proud to be a nerd...and we’ll spend an academic minute finding out how social media is affecting our behavior.

The Best Of Our Knowledge #1179

Bob Barrett — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

One of the truisms of life is the older we get, the better we were when we were younger. The same seems to be true when it comes to the founding fathers of the US. And the founder who seems to be getting the most attention and praise over the past few years is Thomas Jefferson. Today on The Best Of Our Knowledge it’s time for another History Class, focusing on a new biography of Jefferson and what he meant...and continues to mean...to the nation he helped create.

The Best Of Our Knowledge #1178

Bob Barrett — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Technology and social media has made communication and staying in touch easier than ever. Unfortunately, it’s also made bullying easier than ever and the problem is expected to get worse. Today on The Best Of Our Knowledge, our series on bullying goes cyber.

We’ll also hear how some students really feel about high school, follow some students as they travel from Canada to Russia...and spend an academic minute finding out what sign language reveals about the brain.

The Best Of Our Knowledge #1177

Bob Barrett — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Think about some of the conditions on the newly formed planet Earth. Volcanic activity, temperatures around 100 degrees Celsius...not exactly a garden spot for life. But research now is discovering new species of bacteria that can thrive in those conditions...and they are still around today.
Today on The Best Of Our Knowledge, our Astrobiology Series returns with a look at the discovery of new species of life on earth in the hot spots of the planet.

The Best Of Our Knowledge #1176

Bob Barrett — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:31:57 +0000

Bullying has been an unfortunate part of the school culture for, well, probably as long as there have been schools. But in recent years, there have been organized efforts get end bullying, even as the practice has gone high tech. Today on The Best Of Our Knowledge, we present the first installment in a five part series on bullying.

The Best Of Our Knowledge #1175

Bob Barrett — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:44:21 +0000

Do you constantly split infinitives, start sentences with “and or “but” and end sentences with a preposition? Have no fear, you’ve done nothing wrong. It seems many of the grammar rules that we’ve been following over the years are completely bogus. Today on The Best Of Our Knowledge, we’ll talk to an English professor about the seven bogus grammar errors that you don’t need to worry about...and a lot more about the state of writing in general.

Plus we’ll spend an academic minute finding out what goes on in our brains to create language in the first place.

The Best Of Our Knowledge #1174

Bob Barrett — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 05:00:00 +0000

If you turn on a light, send a text message or watch TV with any device made in the last few years, you’s using LED technology. Advances in LEDs are happening rapidly...and some of those breakthroughs are coming from unexpected corners. Today on The Best Of Our Knowledge, we’ll meet a college student who invented a new type of LED...and won a prestigious competition along the way.

We’ll also hear how schools need to be turning out more lab technicians than they are now...and spend a academic minute talking about lizard’s tails.

The Best Of Our Knowledge #1173

Bob Barrett — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Earlier this year we told you about a law passed in the state of Massachusetts that gives the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education authority over any virtual schools that begin operating in the state. At the time, there was only one such school...and that’s about to change. Today on The Best Of Our Knowledge, we’ll hear why a virtual school is literally closing.