Science Cheerleader

And they said it couldn’t be done.

The Science Debate team (of which I am part) has been pushing for McCain and Obama to participate in a public science debate. Still hoping that will happen but in the interim we sent the candidates 14 questions culled from more than 3,300 submitted by the public. Nearly 40,000 supporters of our efforts pestered the candidates to respond to the questions. (The Science Cheerleader’s campy youtube skit–poking fun at the candidates for ignoring science–was only effective because so many of you took action and demanded answers).
Ready to read Obama’s answers?
Here they are! Let me know what you think.

McCain’s team tells me he’s in the process of answering them, too. But talk is cheap. If you know someone who works with McCain, would you let him/her know there’s still time to respond? Thanks.

Cheers!

Time Magazine and L.A. Times columnist, Joel Stein, tweaks McCain and Obama for not yet signing on to participate in the Science Debate 2008.  He provides some talking points for the candidates:

Health Care: “Give poor kids bionic healthcare. You don’t need to sell drugs when you can help the military with your jumping and running abilities.” (more…)

I was a cheerleader for the Philadelphia 76ers NBA team during the 90-91, 91-92 and 92-93 seasons. First year was awesome. Easy to bust some moves in modest uniforms and hightops?! (left) when the entire stadium was cheering on the Atlantic Division champs (Barkley/Jordan era).  I was a senior in college at the time. Just a couple of years prior, I was a cheerleader for the incredible Temple Owls basketball team (ranked #1 in the nation for some weeks). Traveled everywhere. Sold out games, die-hard college fans and an entire city–craving any type of championship–behind us. Dated a football jock. Held a Beer Bong record. Very cliche. Life was good. But I digress.
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When you have a few minutes, check this out. I hope you enjoy it! (If this doesn’t play on your computer, try this link.)

(Many thanks to the talented folks at Gyro Worldwide, Inc. and Backseat Conceptions.)

Here’s how you can take action–it’s SO simple and important. Spread the word if the spirit moves you!

And, how would YOU reply to these questions? Leave a response, below, for thousands to read and react to. Let’s get these parties started!

Seven Questions for the Congressional Candidates: (plug in your zip code to pester your local candidates to answer the questions…and see how some have already answered)

Find your candidates,
ask where they stand.

Zip Code:

Pop quiz. Of 30 wealthy nations, where do our 15-year-olds rank in average science scores?

a) 1st
b) 8th
c) 13th
d)17th

How about in math scores?
a) 1st
b)10th
c)16th
d) 24th

If you guessed “d” both times, you’re right. 

Assuming this pattern carries across to other age groups, and not just 15-year-olds, what do you think the federal government should do to prepare K-12 students for the science and technology driven 21st Century? Currently, most education issues are handled by state and local policy makers. The Feds take a hands-off approach. Clearly, this approach isn’t working.

So, what do you think the President and Congress should do to fix the current state of affairs? I’d like to hear your thoughts.  

I’d also like to hear how my Congressional candidates would reply to that and six other questions a team of science organizations just announced. And they’ve made it really easy for me, and you, to do so.

In the words of the ScienceDebate 2008 team (which now includes me as their director of public engagement): (more…)

It’s Sunday, May 11th (Happy Mother’s Day!) and I am very excited because my opinion piece on the proposed presidential science debate (”Science Debate 2008“) was just published in the Philadelphia Inquirer and already picked up by the University of Pennsylvania’s Newsweek.com feed and the National Basketball Association’s newsfeed.

Here’s the published version. Posted in its entirety below.   Let me know what you think. I’d like your opinions on my opinions.  Cheers!

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