Teen Scientist Finds Bacteria to Decompose Plastic

I just wanted to repost this article from Wired Science.  A teen from Ontario found bacteria that makes plastic decompose in just three months.  This is something that scientists have been working on for many years.

Presidential Recognition for STEM Mentoring

Congratulations to CSAS member Project Exploration and all of the other winners of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring!

Pew Study: Public Respects Contribution of Science to Society

A new study of public opinion finds that Americans overwhelmingly respect and support science.  84% of the public believes that science has a "mostly positive" effect on society.  Asked who contributes a lot to society's well being, members of the public name this top five: members of the military (84%), teachers (77%), scientists (70%), medical doctors (69%), and engineers (64%).  Even among those who believe in creationism, 63% believe scientists contribute a lot to society.  While debates over evolution, stem cells, and climate change may dominate headlines, most Americans recognize the overall value of science.  Now we just need to convince them that their own children can be part of that scientific community!

Pew Research Center for People & the Press

Summer Learning Day

Tomorrow is National Summer Learning Day (so proclaimed by President Obama).  Find an event near you and celebrate summer learning - a critical tool for closing the achievement gap.  Here is a video from Ron Fairchild of the National Center for Summer Learning, saying more about the value of summer opportunities for youth:

Science of Cooking

Here is an article about a middle school summer science and cooking class.  I wish there were more resources on the science of cooking for kids.  At home, I use Harold McGee's On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen, which is not written for kids.  Same goes for Cooking for Engineers, a fun blog.  I mentioned some resources in a previous post, but does anyone know of others?

A narrative of afterschool science

For those who are interested in better understanding what science learning in afterschool programs is all about, The After-School Corporation has posted a great new article that describes programs in New York City and lessons that can be applied nationwide.
"Got Science?"