Michael Specter's TED talk: The danger of science denial

I love the TED talks, and this might be one of my favorites so far.  Michael Specter gives a magnificant talk about science denialism, or perhaps more accurately, the current anti-science mentality in our society. 

Photosynthesis Rap

Say what you want about the current state of hiphop and rap -- I am certainly a harsh critic of much of the rap coming out these days -- but these kids know photosynthesis.

State science advocacy organizations

Our friendly neighborhood developmental biologist over at Pharyngula is compiling a list of state level grassroots organizations working to improve science education in their states. Pennsylvania Citizens for Science is on the list, although it unfortunately does not seem all too active.

I'll also post a complete list at some point, but for now I'm going to hang back and let him do all the work.

Teaching science with science

An article in the Hunterdon Review (New Jersey) reports on some lucky third graders who during January and February

participated in a special science and astronomy program called Wonders of the Universe in which they took part in a number of unusual lessons and activities such as comet making, rocket making and launching, and observing the day and night skies through high powered telescopes.

The program is through a company called the Pearl Observatory and provides schools an opportunity to bring real science into science class. It is unfortunate, but all too often science class is far removed from actual science. Programs like this not only help students better understand what "doing science" means, but also can go a long way to getting students excited about science.

“Each morning, [my students] entered the classroom and looked at the schedule,” said third grade teacher Jaime Levy. “If ‘Visiting Scientist’ was on the schedule, I heard cheers. If it was not, I got questioned, ‘Why isn't John coming today?’ They especially loved picking his brain with all of their questions.”

A big thumbs up to the Guardian

The Guardian has just announced a new feature. Four new columnists will be writing a weekly column (one per week, so each will have a monthly column) about science.

The starting line up:

Simon Singh - particle physicist, best selling author, TV producer, and currently being sued for libel by the British Chiropractic Association.

Chris French - Professor of Psychology at Goldsmiths University of London, Co-ordinator of something called the Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit, and co-editor of The Skeptic.

Andy Miah - professor of ethics and emerging technologies at University of West Scotland.

PZ Myers - professor of biology at University of Minnesota, Morris, outspoken atheist, and of course is famous (infamous?) for his blog, Pharyngula, which does an excellent job covering a wide range of topics related to biology, evolution, creationism, religion, and atheism. (Those last two get him all kinds of new friends)

Sounds like a hell of a line up to me. Good job Guardian.