Science Podcasts

Climate Change Minute-Electromagnetic Spectrum

Thu, 17 May 2012 10:33:46 -0400

In order to understand remote sensing, it requires a basic understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum. The entire array of electromagnetic waves comprises the electromagnetic spectrum. The waves that interest us the most in remote sensing are:
Ultra-Violet
Visible
Infra-Red
Microwaves

For more information on remote sensing, please visit:
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/RemoteSensing/remote_03.php

STEM Education Minute-What has happened since Sputnik

Wed, 9 May 2012 14:43:22 -0400

A lot has changed since the launch of Sputnik, particularly in the area of STEM education. This podcast examines the changes that have taken place since the 1950's. We see a pattern of interest, growth and then decline in STEM education.

Middle School Science Minute-Prediction and Hypothesis

Wed, 9 May 2012 12:55:39 -0400

In the April/May, 2012 issue of Science Scope, a publication of the National Science Teachers Association, there is an article entitled, "More Than Just Guessing: The Difference Between Prediction and Hypothesis," written by Michelle Scribner-MacLean.

The topic of the article is to help teachers and students understand the difference between the two terms. Knowing the difference between making a prediction and formulating a hypothesis can go a long way toward helping students develop scientific literacy.

Climate Change Minute-Radiation

Wed, 9 May 2012 11:38:39 -0400

Remote sensing is the science (and to some extent, art) of acquiring information about the Earth's surface without actually being in contact with it. This is done by sensing and recording reflected or emitted energy and processing, analyzing, and applying that information.

For more information on remote sensing, please visit:
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/RemoteSensing/remote_02.php

STEM Education Minute-STEM Educator

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:52:42 -0400

What is a STEM Educator? The University of Cincinnati does a good job of defining a STEM Educator. They have done this because their School of Education has a focus of helping train STEM Educators. If you would like to learn more about their program, please visit:
http://www.cech.uc.edu/education/stem_education/

Middle School Science Minute-Energy and Matter Misconceptions

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:25:07 -0400

In the April/May, 2012 issue of Science Scope, a publication of the National Science Teachers Association, two articles dealt with the topic of misconceptions

In the first article, "Misunderstanding Misconceptions," Page Keeley defines the term misconceptions. In the second article, "Investigating Students' Ideas About the Flow of Matter and Energy in Living Systems," authors Melanie Taylor, Kimberly Cohen, R. Keith Esch, and P. Sean Smith give examples of student misconceptions and provide the corresponding correct ideas. The topic of this podcast mainly focuses in on the process of photosynthesis.

Climate Change Minute-History of Remote Sensing

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:55:02 -0400

The technology of modern remote sensing began with the invention of the camera more than 150 years ago. Photographs "stills" were taken from tethered balloons in the mid - 1800's. During the First World War, cameras were mounted on aircraft. Satellite remote sensing can be traced to the early days of the space age as sensors were put on spacecraft. Cosmonauts and Astronauts took photos out the windows of their spacecraft.

For more information on remote sensing, please visit:
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/RemoteSensing/remote.php

STEM Education Minute-Role of Corporations

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:51:20 -0400

Faced with a likely shortage of suitable employees in the future, corporations are proactively aiding reform of the education system. "Education News" had an article entitled: "Corporations Seek Greater Role in STEM Education."

In this article, the work of Facebook, Intel and Microsoft is detailed in how they contribute to STEM education.

For more information, visit:
http://www.educationnews.org

Middle School Science Minute-Drying Hands in the Lab

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:29:38 -0400

In the March, 2012 issue of Science Scope, a publication of the National Science Teachers Association, the safety question of the month was "Are there any alternatives to paper towels for students to wash and dry their hands with at the end of lab?"

Ken Roy, director of environmental health and safety for Glastonbury Public Schools in Glastonbury, Connecticut provides a great answer. If you would like more information on science safety, you can purchase Ken's book, "The NSTA Ready-Reference Guide to Safer Science," through the NSTA bookstore. Please visit:
http://www.nsta.org/store/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9781933531281

Climate Change Minute-Four Resolutions of Remote Sensing

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:57:14 -0400

There are four major types of resolution in remote sensing.
1. Spatial resolution is dependent on the field of view, altitude, and viewing angle of a sensor.
2. Spectral resolution refers to the number of wavelength regions or bands in the electromagnetic spectrum to which the sensor is sensitive.
3. Temporal resolution is a measure of how often data are otained for the same area (how often it is revisited).
4. Radiometric resolution is a measure of the sensitivity of a sensor to differences in the intensity of the radiation measured.

STEM Education Minute-Social Media Can Spur STEM

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:33:59 -0400

William Broman, a biomedical engineering major at George Washington University, recently shared a blog on usnews.com. He wrote about the role that Social Media can play in spurring the interest of students in STEM. He shares his experience of returning to visit his former high school, during spring break, and watching the students participate in a cardboard boat regatta. But he noticed a unique twist, and that was the integration of Twitter.

For more information, please visit:
http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/stem-education/2012/04/13/high-schools-need-to-use-social-media-to-spur-stem-engagement

William can be reached on Twitter @bromanw

Middle School Science Minute-Reading Ladders and Science

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:31:33 -0400

In the March, 2012 issue of Science Scope, a publication of the National Science Teachers Association, Colleen Sheehy and Karina Clemmons shared an article entitled, "Opening the door to science instruction for all through literature."

The article focused on a strategy called "reading ladders." The vision for reading ladders came from envisioning different levels of text difficulty to be different rungs on a ladder. Teachers can use the idea of reading ladders as a metaphor and framework when employing text to enhance and supplement inquiry-based science instruction.

They provide a very good example of reading ladders in which they show how themed picture books, children's books, and young adult literature novels can be used to build content knowledge and enhance science instruction.

Climate Change Minute-Active vs Passive Remote Sensing

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:05:47 -0400

Remote sensing is any technique for measuring, observing or monitoring a process or object without physically touching the object under observation. Telescopes, cameras, even eyesight, are types of remote sensing with which you are probably familiar.

There are two classes of remote sensors: passive remote sensors and active remote sensors.

To learn more about this topic, please visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/langley/news/factsheets/RemoteSensing.html

STEM Education Minute-Dow Chemical and STEM

Tue, 3 Apr 2012 17:37:01 -0400

Dow Chemical has been working to advance STEM education and in part helped to sponsor the 60th Annual National Science Teachers Association Conference which took place in Indianapolis, Indiana, from March 29 - April 1, 2012.

Dow is working to build an innovative and competitive workforce and create a knowledgeable society, that values science and technology through its support for STEM education and careers.

For more information on Dow's commitment to STEM, please visit:
http://www.dow.com/education/index.htm

Middle School Science Minute--Outstanding Trade books Part 3

Tue, 3 Apr 2012 14:00:42 -0400

The National Science Teachers Association has recently announce its Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12. In this podcast we look at three more of the books which are very appropriate for students in grades 6 - 8. They are:

Baby Mammoth Mummy Frozen in Time! A Prehistoric Animal's Journey into the 21st Century
by Christopher Sloan

The Elephant Scientist
by Caitlin O'Connell and Donna M. Jackson

Elephant Talk: The Surprising Science of Elephant Communication
by Ann Downer

Climate Change Minute-Remote Sensing Platforms

Tue, 3 Apr 2012 10:39:58 -0400

Remote sensing is observing or measuring phenomena without direct physical contact, often from a distance. In order to do this, sensors are very important. Sensors measure physical quantities and convert them into a signal that can be read by an observer or by an electronic instrument. There are two types of platforms that we can place sensors on to observe the earth. They are:
1. Orbital platforms which include satellites
2. Sub-orbital platforms which include aircraft, drones, balloons, and kites.

STEM Education Minute-Michigan STEM Week

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:57:45 -0400

Michigan STEM Awareness Week is being held March 25 - 31, 2012. The purpose is to raise awareness about the importance of STEM education and the impact it will have on Michigan's future economic growth and development.

It kicked off with exhibits at a free open house at the Detroit Parade Company. During the week, Lawrence Technological University hosted its Robofest Competition in Southfield, MI. The Michigan Mathematics and Science Centers Network, hosted over 30 Family Engineering Events during the month of March, and many of them took place during this week. Finally, over 400 people had the opportunity to attend a free tour of the Ford Rouge Factory Tour through the Henry Ford.

For more information, please visit:
http://www.stemmi.org

Middle School Science Minute--Outstanding Tradebooks Part 2

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:15:33 -0400

The National Science Teachers Association has recently announced its Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12. In this podcast we look at three of the books which are very appropriate for students in grades 6 - 8. They are:

Friends: True Stories of Extraordinary Animal Friendships
by Catherine Thimmesh

Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25
by Richard Paul Evans

Bug Shots: The Good, the Bad, and the Bugly
by Alexandra Siy

Climate Change Minute-Navy Bracing for Climate Change

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:35:12 -0400

Climate change is here, whether we like it or not. In May, 2009, the Chief of U.S. Naval Operations formed the Navy's Task Force Climate Change (TFCC) to take a hard look at what climate change means for naval operations. They are focusing on four main points:

1. The Navy is bracing itself for climate change.
2. Its main area of focus is the Arctic.
3. The Navy is also concerned about how climate change will impact its own naval bases through sea-level rise and storm surges.
4. The Navy works with NASA to advance science and for predictions.

For more information, please visit:
http://climate.nasa.gov/news

STEM Education Minute-STEM Degrees Pay Better

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 15:17:11 -0400

In a recent US News article (February 24, 2012), it was announced that people with an associate's degree in a STEM field earn more than those with a bachelor's degree in education or liberal arts, according to new data released by the United States Census bureau. The data shows interesting data on the number of American's with STEM degrees, the type of STEM degrees and compares the number of men and women with STEM degrees.