Real Science VII

In his seventh season of the Real Science! series, once again each episode takes students into the working world of real scientists, who demonstrate what they do for a living and how students can pursue a similar career and describe how students would prepare for a similar career. Each program includes action tips and curriculum advice.

Episode Descriptions

1 Web Of Life (Software Test Engineer & Zoology Educator) — First, it’s off to Cisco Systems to learn how software engineers keep traffic moving on the Internet. Then, take a walk on the wild side at the San Diego Wild Animal Park to learn from the park’s best teachers - the animals! Scientists profiled: Jason Dachtler, software test engineer, Cisco Systems, San Jose, California; Andrea
Mott, educator/guide, San Diego Wild Animal Park, San Diego, California.

2 Frog Study (Wildlife Biologists)— Frogs make leaps in scientific discovery! First, get nets in hand to catch California red- legged frogs and see how biologists study their behavior with a simple tracking device. Then, wade through the marshy waters of Maryland in search of southern leopard frogs to help scientists determine the extent of environmental pollution. Scientists profiled: Steve Bobzien, wildlife biologist, East Bay Regional Park District, Contra Costa County, California; Keisha Johnson, wildlife biologist, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Laurel, Maryland.

3 Water Rescue (Limnologist & Veterinarian) — Scientists show how water pollution can endanger life. First, board the boat to measure the water clarity of Lake Tahoe and learn why scientists want to keep Tahoe blue. Then, it’s off to see how veterinarians at the international bird rescue center strive to save hundreds of injured birds. Scientists profiled: Brant Allen, limnologist, UC Davis - Tahoe Research Group, Tahoe, City, California; Flo Tseng, veterinarian, International Bird Rescue Center, Berkeley, California.

4 Insect Carriers (Entomologists) — Can scientists halt the spread of insect-borne diseases? Discover the difficult task facing entomologists trying to stop the spread of pine pitch canker. Then, it’s off to Maryland to see how scientists are itching to discover the extent to which Maryland’s mosquitoes carry the deadly West Nile virus. Scientists profiled: Andrew Storer, entomologist, University of California, Berkeley, California; Patricia Ferraro, entomologist, Maryland Department of Agriculture, Annapolis, Maryland.

5 Fish Power (Aquaculturist & Marine Biologist) — It’s fish power on Real Science! First, tour the aquaculture facility at Hubbs-Sea World where scientists are working to assess how to restock depleted marine fisheries. Then, discover how the unique muscle structure of the giant tuna enables it to swim more than forty miles per hour. Scientists profiled: Don Kent, aquaculturist, Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute, San Diego, California; Barbara Block, marine biologist, Hopkins Marine Station, Monterey, California.

6 A Vial Of Knowledge ( Biologist & Arachnologist) — Scientists get out their syringes to learn about animal stress and venom! First, it’s a boat ride across to Gull Island, Alaska where biologists monitor stress hormones in birds once affected by an oil spill. Then, it’s time to capture orb weaver spiders near Tucson, Arizona to determine the reason spiders have different types of venom. Scientists profiled: Mike Schultz, fish and wildlife biologist, US Geological Survey, Anchorage, Alaska;
Greta Binford, archeologist, University of Arizona, Tucson.

7 Snowy Secrets (Glacial Geologist & Civil Engineer) — Is there science in snow? Get on your snow boots and sunglasses for a breathtaking hike of Matanuska Glacier, Alaska and discover the environmental significance of this giant beauty. Then, ski out to the Sierra Nevada Foothills and learn how environmental engineers can determine our water supply by measuring the water content of the annual snowpack. Scientists profiled: Kristine Crossen, glacial geologist, University of Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska; Dudley McFadden, water resources engineer, California State Department of Water Resources, California.

8 Mystical Creatures (Paleontologist & Marine Biologist) — The science of the spectacular! First,
it’s off to San Bernadino County, California to unearth the mystery of the Mastodon. Then, get a behind-the-scenes look at rare seahorses brought to the National Aquarium in Baltimore for an exhibit that will be one of the most comprehensive collections of these little-understood animals. Scientists profiled: Kathleen Springer, paleontologist, UCLA, San Bernadino County, California; Jorge
Gomez Hilado, marine biologist, National Aquarium in Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland.

9 Dig It (Archaeologist & Geologist) — Gold and gems have attracted scientists too! First, discover the secrets of the Alaska Gold Rush as archaeologists unearth a history buried beneath a forest. Then, it’s off to visit the Hall of Gems and Minerals at the Smithsonian and learn about techniques geologists use to analyze rock specimens. Scientists profiled: David Yesner, archaeologist, University of Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska; Linda Welzenbach, geologist, Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC.

10 Seeing The Sea ( Marine Ecologist & Aquarist) — Scientists monitor the health of animals and the ocean! First, fly over the ocean with a marine ecologist testing new research methods to monitor the
ocean’s health. Then, go snorkeling in an aquarium environment near Cape Cod to learn how scientists
monitor animal health.

11 Smashing Electrics! ( Physicist & Manufacturing Engineer ) — Real Science! gets charged up for a look at accelerators and guitars! First, get a behind-the-scenes look at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center and learn about its mission to understand what all things are ultimately made of. Then, it’s down to Corona, California to tour the Fender guitar factory and see how the famous instruments are made. Scientists profiled: Cherrill Spencer, particle physicist, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, Menlo Park, California; Steve Grom, manufacturing engineer, Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, Corona, CA.

12 Power To The People ( Plasma Physicist & Plant Geneticist ) — Some scientists have to think
alternatively! First, it’s off to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to see how fusion scientists are
developing a clean, mean, energy producing machine to safely power our world. Then, time to check out a new kind of flower power at the National Arboretum in Washington, DC and learn how scientists use
genetic engineering to develop healthier plant life. Scientists profiled: Simon Woodruff, plasma physicist, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California; Margaret Pooler, plant geneticist, The US National Arboretum, Washington, DC.

13 Product Design (Product Design Engineer & Industrial Mineralogist) — What do remote controls and kitty litter have in common? They’re both products that have to be developed and tested to consumer satisfaction. First, it’s off to the Microsoft Corporation to see how remote controls are designed, developed and tested. Then, it’s over to the Clorox Company to see how industrial mineralogists develop kitty litter to satisfy its most finicky clientele—the cats! Scientists profiled: Leslie Leland, product design engineer, WebTV Peripherals, Mountain View, California; Dennis Jenkins, industrial mineralogist, Clorox Technical Center, Pleasanton, California.

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