This question matters.

good:

Where Is the Next Generation of Innovators?

Everyone from business leaders to President Obama is calling for more young leaders in the areas of science, math, engineering, and technology. But many young people say they aren’t even considering careers in these fields. Why not? A recent survey asked them to explain their hesitance.

Check out the graphic on GOOD→ 

mishagl:

NASA to replace Russian rockets with space taxi by 2014 

Currently using less-than-reliable Russian space agency vehicles to take astronauts to and from the International Space Station, NASA wants to go a different direction. This week, the space agency asked commercial space companies to submit bids for a new space taxi as part of the latest round of the Commercial Crew Program. “President Obama is working hard to create an American economy built to last,” said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden in TheStateColumn. “NASA’s support of commercial innovation to reach low Earth orbit is helping to support these efforts by spurring new technological development and creating jobs and economic benefits for years to come.” NASA said they expect to select two companies that can provide “safe, reliable, and cost effective human access to space,” noting that they expect to make multiple awards this summer, with values up to $500 million, an investment they could get back rather quickly. The Russian space agency charges $63 million per seat for a ride to the international Space Station and has had a lot of problems in recent months. Among them, a probe intended for Mars failed to reach beyond low-Earth orbit. Looking for alternatives to the retired space shuttle, winning firms would have until May 2014 to complete their integrated designs and have them ready to test fly by the middle of the decade. (by Chris Owen (RSS feed) on Feb 9th 2012 at 1:30PM via NASA to replace Russian rockets with space taxi by 2014 | Gadling.com)

eskwire:

“US President Barack Obama reacts as 14-year-old Joey Hudy of Phoenix, Arizona, launches a marshmallow from Hudy’s ‘Extreme Marshmallow Cannon’ during a tour of the White House Science Fair in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC, February 7, 2012.” (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

lessthanawake:

White House answering science questions on Twitter.

“Bill Nye, the Science Guy and CEO of the Planetary Society, Neil Tyson, astrophysicist at the American Museum of Natural History, and Tom Kalil, Deputy Director for Policy in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, respond to your questions during White House Office Hours.”

sustainablecomposing:

A funny cartoon about the increasing use of the phrase “sustainability.” Seems like it could go the way of the word “rhetoric”—a word that represents a concept that few can articulate well that, as a result of its misunderstanding, gets used incorrectly all the time. —PS

jtotheizzoe:

You Go, Girl

Samantha Garvey, formerly homeless teen, science whiz, guest at the State of the Union, inspiration to us all.

(via NPR)

Yeah, so…there’s this. Hard to listen to people complain about nonsense when this is going on in the world.

abaldwin360:

deconversionmovement:

rapidfireredhead:

lackofbelief:

I never thought I’d see an American president have the courage to say something like this … to the Christian Broadcasting Network, no less.  Way to go, Obama!

 Fantastic. <3

Daily dose of Christian persecution.

Maybe spine is finally growing back.

This is the equivalent of him sending an email to The Weather Channel saying “it rains in some states, it snows in others, and sometimes it’s as hot at 80 degrees.” People on both sides of this “issue” sound ridiculous. It doesn’t take “backbone” to re-state the original mission statement of the country he is President of. Furthermore, CBN isn’t even any kind of authority. It’s a TV Network. We’ve got to stop this. Christians don’t report to a TV network. Scientists don’t report to Science Channel as an authority, why should CBN’s opinion on anything matter at all?

(via afropoetic)

teafraggerparty:

AMERICA IS SOFT & STUPID The average science score of U.S. students lagged behind those in 16 of 30 countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The U.S. students were further behind in math, trailing counterparts in 23 countries.

iamnotlessperfectthanlore:

GARAK OBAMA

(via cardassians)

obamafamily:

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 11: U.S. President Barack Obama and first Lady Michelle Obama at the North Pool during the tenth anniversary ceremonies of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center site, September 11, 2011 in New York City. New York City and the nation are commemorating the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on lower Manhattan which resulted in the deaths of 2,753 people after two hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Center. (via Photo from Getty Images)

nationalpost:

Bus Force One?: Meet Obama’s new armored bus
The shiny, black armored bus, bristling with secret communications technology, with flashing police-style red and blue lights on the front and the back, made its debut on President Barack Obama’s three-day tour of Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois.

The vehicle was commissioned by the Secret Service, which has always hired buses for election campaigns and retrofitted them to provide suitable protection for presidents and rival party nominees. (Photo: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images)