http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-490853.mp3
The Best of Our Knowledge #792
Albany, NY – TEACHING INTELLIGENT DESIGN TRIAL ENDS -
Attorneys in the Dover, Pennsylvania Intelligent Design case
brought their arguments to a close earlier this month after a
six week trial. That leaves Judge John Jones until the end of
this year to decide whether or not the teaching of Intelligent
Design in public schools is allowed by the U.S. Constitution.
A lawyer for eight families urged the federal judge to overturn
the Dover School Board policy that requires the discussion of
Intelligent Design in biology classes, saying it improperly
promotes religion in schools. But the school board's lawyer
defended that policy, explaining that it was intended to call
attention to a new science movement. In closing arguments,
Eric Rothschild, attorney for the parents, claimed Intelligent
Design became the label for the board's desire to teach
creationism. Rothschild said, It's essential religious nature
does not change whether it's called creation science' or
Intelligent Design' or sudden emergence theory. The shell
game has to stop. The Intelligence Design issue has been
covered before here on The Best of Our Knowledge. An
overwhelming majority of scientists believe that Intelligent
Design is not science because it cannot be tested, and
therefore, should not be taught in classrooms. One of those
scientists is the well known Dr. Sean Rice, a Professor in the
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Yale
University. He explains how scientists view this debate.
Jim Horne reports. (8:58)
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Glenn Busby. (:30)
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ORIGINS OF LIFE/SCIENCE RESEARCH IN EDUCATION SERIES
MAKING SENSE OF EXTRASOLAR PLANETS - Pt. 2 of 2
The first step in discovering the extent of life in our galaxy is to try
and determine the number of terrestrial planets in circumstellar
habitable zones. To find out more about the origins of life, NASA
has been conducting extensive research, and now has several
new missions in advanced planning stages. Last week, we talked
about the short history of discovering planets around other stars,
and learned present detection techniques. This week, we feature
new information on future planned missions to reveal planets that
can support life as on earth...and the need to use nuclear power
plants for extended missions into outer space. Dr. William Cochran
is a Senior Research Scientist at the McDonald Observatory and
Center for Advanced Studies in Astronomy at the University of
Texas at Austin. He's also Co-investigator for the exciting Kepler
Mission.
Glenn Busby reports. (9:17)
The preceding material is supported by the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration.
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SHOW CLOSE - Dr. Karen Hitchcock and Glenn Busby (1:30)