WAMC NewsRoom

Albany, NY (2009-11-16) Air Date: 11/16/09 - An "odd couple" finds common ground in the education reform arena. Rev. Al Sharpton and Newt Gingrich appear with Education Secretary, Arne Duncan. The NEA has its own plans to help "high-needs" schools. And our science education story looks at the oxidation process on Earth.

The Best of Our Knowledge # 999

Albany, NY (2009-11-09) Air Date: 11/9/09 - This week, we begin our exclusive National Science Foundation TBOOK series shining the spotlight on national efforts to increase the role of women with disabilities in science, technology, engineering and math. Our first report highlights the award-winning program at the University of Washington in Seattle. And then, a university president finds a science version of an American Idol.

The Best of Our Knowledge # 998

Albany, NY (2009-11-02) Air Date: 11/2/09 - TBOOK goes on the road to Kentucky, Israel, and New York. Our first stop looks at the H1N1 virus arriving on college campuses. Then, the Obama/Biden community college tour rolls on. And, we visit a school near Bethlehem that's promoting peace and democracy.

The Best of Our Knowledge # 997

Albany, NY (2009-10-26) Air Date: 10/26/09 - We hear how music therapy classes benefit students at a school for the blind or visually impaired. We'll speak with a music therapy teacher, and listen to two of her students perform. And then, we travel to Washington state to profile Microsoft Program Manager, Patricia Walsh.

The Best of Our Knowledge # 996

Albany, NY (2009-10-19) Air Date: 10/19/09 - It's National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month. TBOOK learns about new software that puts picture-based communications right in the palm of your hand. It could provide a boost for millions of people in the special needs community. Plus, middle school science students get to spend quality time on Earth with astronaut, Dr. Bernard Harris.

The Best of Our Knowledge # 995

Albany, NY (2009-10-12) Air Date: 10/12/09 - TBOOK speaks with the winning team of middle school students from a very special science camp for underserved and underrepresented children with limited opportunities. And the Students4Sustainability organization had designed a hand operated vehicle being used to employ people with disabilities in Africa.

The Best of Our Knowledge # 994

Albany, NY (2009-10-05) Air Date: 10/5/09 - President Obama talks to schoolchildren about taking personal responsibility, setting goals, doing homework and staying in school. We'll talk with a teacher who didn't learn how to read until he was 48 years old, many years after he'd been teaching. And we'll kick of National Disabilities Month.

The Best of Our Knowledge # 993

Albany, NY (2009-09-28) Air Date: 9/28/09 - Now that school is back in session, parents have "homework" too, packing healthy lunches. The CDC promotes Fruits & Veggies Month. Eat smart, to be smart. We'll talk about green lunches, green books, and green schools.

The Best of Our Knowledge # 992

Albany, NY (2009-09-21) Air Date: 9/21/09 - It's one of the largest scientific questions of all time. Not only where and when did life begin? But did life start more than once? And in more than one location? Professor Jim Kasting discusses current theories. Then, the STEM education pipeline and workforce. A member of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology joins us to emphasize the need to "excite, invite, and retain" students in the sciences.

The Best of Our Knowledge # 991

Albany, NY (2009-09-14) Air Date: 9/14/09 - "H1N1 is going to be an issue this school year." Those words come directly from Education Secretary, Arne Duncan. We'll also talk with CDC Director, Dr. Thomas Frieden about the potential impact this year's flu virus could have on schools. Plus, it's the stuff of science and of science fiction. How did life start? And where did we come from? Dr. Jim Kasting is our guest.

The Best of Our Knowledge # 990

Albany, NY (2009-09-07) Air Date: 9/7/09 - "You pick the school. We'll pick up the bill." With those words, President Barack Obama opened the federal money spigot so that tens of thousands of new students could start flowing into colleges this fall under the expanded GI Bill educational benefits. Plus, with students headed back to school, we'll have tips for turning them into lifelong readers.

The Best of Our Knowledge # 989

Albany, NY (2009-08-31) Air Date: 8/31/09 - Did you know that studies show by the time students reach the 7th grade, they're reading less than six minutes a day in school? We talk with a leading authority on today's state of literacy, or lack thereof. Plus, we'll hear remarkable stories from a Kenyan English teacher who taught in the refugee camps.

The Best of Our Knowledge # 988

Albany, NY (2009-08-24) Air Date: 8/24/09 - With 1 out of every 150 school children effected, our show theme this week is ASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder. We'll report on facial recognition studies and have in-depth personal looks at new and existing treatment programs and schools in both Kentucky and the Northeast.

The Best of Our Knowledge # 973

Albany, NY (2009-05-11) Air Date: 5/11/09 - A close up look at how high schools (with today's economic climate) need to prepare all students for college, while still teaching practical job skills. Plus we begin our story on President Obama's five pillars of education reform.

The Best of Our Knowledge # 961

Albany, NY (2009-02-16) Air Date: 2/16/09 - It's President's Day week. We take a slightly skewed TBOOK approach to the holiday, by talking with college presidents. Kenneth "Buzz" Shaw has nearly 30-years experience and is now Syracuse University Chancellor Emeritus. Plus the unique story of another college president who enrolled as a college Freshman. And we welcome our new Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan.