Recent developments in America’s space program with two top scientists from NASA’s Ames Research Center. William Borucki is the chief scientist and driving force behind the Kepler Mission, whose purpose is to search for Earth-like planets in other solar systems, and Anthony Colaprete is the chief scientist and driving force behind the LCROSS Project, which recently discovered water on the Moon. Also included: NASA-produced videos of the Mars Rover, the culture of NASA, and how space exploration benefits people here on Earth.
 

A technological society requires a well educated workforce, especially in math and science. In this episode, we examine some new approaches to math education with our three guests. Peter Friess is President and CEO of the Tech Museum of Innovation, which actively promotes better math education. Keith Devlin is director of Stanford’s H-STAR Institute, winner of the 2007 Carl Sagan Award and the author of 28 books. Salman Khan is the creator of Khan Academy, that aims to provide free, world class education to anyone anywhere, and received the 2009 Microsoft Education award for using technology to benefit humanity.

The journalism program at Palo Alto High School, one of the largest and most innovative programs of its type in the U.S. In addition to on location footage of students and teachers in the program, there are two in-studio guests. Esther Wojcicki founded the program about 25 years ago and has played a central role in its growth and success ever since. She blogs regularly for the Huffington Post and has won numerous teaching awards. Paul Kandell was named 2009 National Journalism Teacher of the Year by the Dow Jones Newspaper Fund, and has long been active in training other journalism teachers.
 

Singularity University is based on the idea that technology is accelerating at an exponential pace, and that it’s necessary to train a cadre of leaders who can understand this technology and steer it in the right direction. The studio guest is Neil Jacobstein, Co-chairman of the Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Track at Singularity University, President and CEO of Teknowledge Corporation, and Chairman of the Institute for Molecular Manufacturing. Also included: a visit to Singularity University and interviews with several students.

A discussion of Health 2.0, an emerging approach to health care that uses Internet technology and social networking software to make people better informed about their own health concerns, and more active participants in their own health treatment. Guests are Thomas Goetz, Executive Editor of WIRED Magazine and author of “The Decision Tree”, and Jennifer McCabe, co-founder and CEO of Contagion Health.

A look at nanotechnology, the science of manipulating objects on an atomic scale. Technology forecaster and research director at the Lifeboat Foundation Brian Wang, and managing partner at Cleantech Circle and founder of the MIT-Stanford-Berkeley Nanotechnology Forum Wasiq Bokhari, discuss the latest advances in nanotech, practical uses of this new science, environmental issues, and societal and ethical considerations.

A discussion of the future of journalism in light of the new electronic communications. Many of the old models of journalism are becoming obsolete, and new models are being developed. David Nordfors, director of the Center for Innovation Journalism at Stanford University, and Tony Deifell, director of Q Media Labs and author of “The Big Thaw”, share their insights as to where journalism is headed.

A look at the Semantic Web, which is shaping up to be the next major step in the evolution of the World Wide Web. Host Martin Wasserman and cohost Jack Porter interview Nova Spivack, CEO of Radar Networks, Inc., whose Twine product is leading the way to the Semantic web.

A look at the U.S.-China Green Energy Council (UCGEC), a group of American and Chinese scientists, businessmen and academics working together to find ways for the two biggest industrial powers to produce greener energy. Guests are James Caldwell, Board Member of the Council and President of E3 Regenesis Solutions, Inc., and Cliff Nakayama, member of the Council’s Transportation Task Force and Managing Director of Mostwell International, which provides services to American companies that do business in China.

A discussion of human genome research, including the latest scientific developments, the practical applications of genomics, and societal and ethical issues. Guests are Gavin Sherlock, Professor of Genetics at Stanford Medical School, Jack Porter, Silicon Valley Entrepreneur and President of Forward Innovations, and Marc Feldman, Director of the Stanford Human Genome Diversity Project. Also, a special appearance by Silicon Valley legend Douglas Engelbart.