http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-825558.mp3
Albany, NY – **CONGRATULATIONS! TBOOK IS A 2009 GRACIE AWARD WINNER!**
FROM: AMERICAN WOMEN IN RADIO & TELEVISION
OUTSTANDING DOCUMENTARY SERIES - SHORT FORM
FOR: THE SOUNDS OF PROGRESS: THE CHANGING ROLE OF GIRLS AND WOMEN IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
SHOW BILLBOARD & OPENING HEADLINES - Glenn Busby. (2:30)
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION EMPHASIS -
The National Science Foundation funds about 20% of all federally supported basic research done by U.S. colleges and universities. In some fields like math, computer science, and social sciences, NSF is the major source of federal backing.
The National Science Foundation annual budget is just over 6-billion dollars. But they just received a one-time stimulus boost equal to 50% of their budget. The stimulus package, or American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, provides an additional 3-billion dollars for the NSF to invest in America's scientific ventures.
The administration's emphasis on science is clear. Even when Barack Obama was still President-Elect, he focused on the importance of science and technology in his weekly radio address to the country.
President Obama. (1:41)
*Post Script. The President just made extensive remarks on his education agenda before the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Washington. We plan to carry portions of that speech in future broadcasts.
SCIENCE RESEARCH AND SCIENCE JOBS, Pt. 2 of 2 -
To re-purpose and old phrase: "it could be the best of times, and the worst of times" to start a science career in the United States.
Researchers today have access to tools and techniques that have accelerated the pace of discovery to new heights. But as record numbers of Ph.D.'s graduate, many young scientists are finding a job market that's not ready to absorb them.
The Environment Report's Adam Allington traces the supply and demand for young scientists in a faltering economy.
The Environment Report's, Adam Allington reports. (3:24)
**(Attention Listeners: If you would like to hear Part One of this two-part report from last week's program, go to our TBOOK homepage on the web at http://www.wamc.org/prog-tbook.html and click on Show # 967.)**
"SISTERS IN SCIENCE: CAN A HOOK SHOT - - HOOK THE SCIENTIFIC MIND? TEACHING SCIENCE THROUGH SPORTS" -
One of the programs the National Science Foundation has funded over the years is called Sisters in Science. It's researched how to close the equity gap in science education for girls from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds.
Sisters in Science uses sports to teach physics and life sciences to middle schools students. Evaluations of the program have found a statistically significant increase in girls' attitudes towards science and a 50% increase in scores on state and national science and math tests.
Dr. Penny Hammrich has been the Principal Investigator on more than a dozen NSF grants. Dr. Hammrich is the Dean of Education at Queens College, City University of New York, where she is also a Professor of Science Education and directs the Equity Studies Research Center.
TBOOK went on location with her to a gym in one of the toughest neighborhoods in North Philadelphia and got this exclusive report.
Nancy Cohen reports. (12:54)
**(Attention Listeners: If you would like to hear this story again, or other stories like it in our exclusive radio series, simply visit our website: www.womeninscience.org, and click on The Sounds of Progress button.)**