Science & Technology: What will they think of next?

I'm still in Atlanta but I had a few minutes to read this afternoon...so here we go.
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First, WE ARE NOT ALONE.
Check out this deep space image from the Goddard Space Flight Center. Then, do the math.
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The Microsoft Surface: Behind-the-Scenes First Look (with Video)
The software giant has built a new multi-touchscreen computer—like a coffee table. Go inside its top-secret development with PopularMechanics.com, then forget the keyboard and mouse: The next generation of computer interfaces will be hands-on.


Thanks to Myra Engle for the tip.
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Mr. Wizard Gives a Last Interview

Don Herbert was known to his fans as Mr. Wizard, star of the Watch Mr. Wizard show. Long before Mythbusters, Herbert made common household items seem magical every Saturday at noon on NBC, from 1951 to 1964.

Herbert died on Tuesday after a long struggle with multiple myeloma, the Los Angeles Times reported. His legacy is the thousands of children he inspired to get involved in science. Many of them, myself included, are practicing scientists today.

This interview, his last, from Wired Magazine.
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MIT Researchers Transmit Wireless Electricity
Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have figured out a way to transmit electric power over the air, meaning one day your cell phone could recharge itself without your having to plug it in. They're calling it Wi-tricity — short for "wireless electricity."
Listen to the story from National Public Radio.

Microsoft debuts math software for students

The world's largest maker of computer operating systems and productivity tools is getting into the curriculum software business, too: Microsoft Corp. has released a math software product, Microsoft Math 3.0, designed to help students complete math and science homework with parental assistance.

...With Math 3.0, Microsoft's software engineers have applied their math expertise to meet what they perceive as a serious need.

According to an independent survey commissioned by Microsoft, 77 percent of teachers and 73 percent of parents claim math and science are the most difficult homework subjects for students, while only 36 percent of parents said they felt capable to help their children.

This from eSchool News.

Billionaires Start $60 Million Schools Effort

Eli Broad and Bill Gates, two of the most important philanthropists in American public education, have pumped more than $2 billion into improving schools. But now, dissatisfied with the pace of change, they are joining forces for a $60 million foray into politics in an effort to vault education high onto the agenda of the 2008 presidential race...

Under the slogan “Ed in ’08,” the project, called Strong American Schools, will include television and radio advertising in battleground states, an Internet-driven appeal for volunteers and a national network of operatives in both parties.

“I have reached the conclusion as has the Gates foundation, which has done good things also, that all we’re doing is incremental,” said Mr. Broad, the billionaire who founded SunAmerica Inc. and KB Home and who has long been a prodigious donor to Democrats. “If we really want to get the job done, we have got to wake up the American people that we have got a real problem and we need real reform.”

Mr. Gates, the chairman of Microsoft, responding to questions by e-mail, wrote, “The lack of political and public will is a significant barrier to making dramatic improvements in school and student performance.”

The project will not endorse candidates — indeed, it is illegal to do so as a charitable group — but will instead focus on three main areas: a call for stronger, more consistent curriculum standards nationwide; lengthening the school day and year; and improving teacher quality through merit pay and other measures.

While the effort is shying away from some of the most polarizing topics in education, like vouchers, charter schools and racial integration, there is still room for it to spark vigorous debate. Advocating merit pay to reward high-quality teaching could force Democratic candidates to take a stand typically opposed by the teachers unions who are their strong supporters.

Pushing for stronger, more uniform standards, on the other hand, could force Republican candidates to discuss the potential merits of a national curriculum, a concept advocates for states’ rights deeply oppose and one that President Bush has not embraced.

This from the New York Times.