Education
New report: Kids will eat their veggies…if you give them the chance
Posted by The Pump Handle on April 5, 2013 If you serve it, they will eat it. That’s one of the many lessons gleaned from a new report on the national Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.
Chess in the Schools?
Posted by jrosenhouse on April 5, 2013 Just a quick post today, so have a look at this essay by Alex Beresow, over at Real Clear Science. He is advocating for chess to be a required subject in schools: In the above video, the math/chess teacher says, “Chess trains logical thinking. It teaches how to make decisions, trains memory, strengthens will power,…
Posted by Dr. Dolittle on April 5, 2013 Last year we talked about how rats can apparently laugh. This year, new research published in PLoS ONE suggests that mice can cough. It actually surprised me to learn this was a controversial topic, since no one has reportedly attempted to tease apart the barely audible sound of a cough from the other sounds mice make. Researchers…
Role Models in Science and Engineering: Ali Javan
Posted by carlyo of USA Science & Engineering Festival on April 4, 2013 
Celebrating Role Models in Science & Engineering Achievement! Ali Javan’s important work is a major component of what you are doing right now- using the internet. To read his full biography and the profiles of all our STEM Role Models click here.
Role Models in Science and Engineering: Nifty Fifty Speaker Dr. Mary Cleave
Posted by carlyo of USA Science & Engineering Festival on April 3, 2013 
We are excited to announce that Dr. Mary Cleave will be serving as a Nifty Fifty Speaker for the Festival! Long considered a role model in science and space exploration for her achievements, Mary is the recipient of various honors, including being the recipient of the American Astronautical Society Flight Achievement Award (1989); NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal…
Role Models in Science and Engineering: Severo Ochoa
Posted by carlyo of USA Science & Engineering Festival on April 3, 2013 
Celebrating Role Models in Science & Achievement! Biochemist and molecular biologist Severo Ochoa is best known for sharing the 1959 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with American biochemist Arthur Kornberg for discovering a bacterial enzyme that enabled him to synthesize RNA (ribonucleic acid). To read his full biography and other STEM Role Models click…
Fluorescent millipedes on Alcatraz
Posted by Dr. Dolittle on March 29, 2013 Alcatraz is even more exciting that I had previously thought! Early last year the National Park Service had baited rats on the island with a non-toxic fluorescent food dye so they could track the animals as they left behind fluorescent droppings. Volunteers from the UC Davis entomology club along with workers then searched the island using black lights to find evidence of the…
Role Models in Science and Engineering: Dr. Anita Roberts
Posted by carlyo of USA Science & Engineering Festival on March 29, 2013 
Celebrating Women’s History Month with another STEM Role Model! Dr. Anita Roberts was one of the most cited scientists in history and she served as an inspiration to many cancer patients when journaled details of her own battle with cancer- a disease she spent 25 years researching. Read the full biography of Dr. Roberts here.
Advice: Should you get your PhD?
Posted by Ethan on March 28, 2013 
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” -Benjamin Franklin Recently, a number of people — of widely different ages and levels of education — have contacted me for advice on whether or not pursuing a PhD in astrophysics/physics/science-in-general is right for them. Of course, I can’t tell you whether a path is the right one…
Experimental Biology 2013
Posted by Dr. Dolittle on March 28, 2013 I am so excited! The Experimental Biology meeting is only 23 days away and is already reportedly on track to be one of the largest meetings yet. I can’t wait to catch up on what’s new in comparative physiology at the meeting (along with many other topics). I will be sure to share the highlights.
