Here are some brief notes from speakers at last night’s opening session at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

Congressman Bart Gordon, (TN), chair of the House Science Committee, warned that our current science-education situation is going to lead to a lower standard of living for our kids.

Nicholas Negroponte, head of One Laptop per Child, dismissed the need to endlessly analyze every new idea. He said everyone in the room would buy a laptop for their child or grandchild if they had the chance. No one needed to study whether that is a good idea. It’s obvious. He envisions an online self-education process that will captivate kids.

Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium, and a frequent host on public television, argued that we undervalue the role of media in motivating and engaging students.

Newt Gingrich proposed that any child who graduates high school in less than 4 years be given the equivalent savings of not having to school them, as a college scholarship.

I’ll post on this morning’s session on “Rowing Together” after I get my notes organized.

Blog posting contributed by: M. Lee Allison, lee.allison@azgs.az.gov
COPUS Steering Committee Member

State Geologist & Director
Arizona Geological Survey
416 W. Congress, #100
Tucson AZ 85701
520-770-3500, fax x3505
www.azgs.az.gov