A December 7, 2008, Meet the Press interview between host Tom Brokaw and President Obama covered a lot of topics, including the economy, foreign policy, and the transition of power. In this part of the interview, President Obama discusses how he'd like to make the White House more of the "People's House" again by inviting guests to the White House to discuss many different issues, including science.
Let your voice be heard. Vote below to share what science topic would be most interesting to you.
Transcript:
Mr. Brokaw: Who are the kinds of artists that you would like to bring to the White House?
President Obama: Oh, well, you know, we have thought about this because part of what we want to do is to open up the White House and, and remind people this is, this is the people's house. There is an incredible bully pulpit to be used when it comes to, for example, education. Yes, we're going to have an education policy. Yes, we're going to be putting more money into school construction. But, ultimately, we want to talk about parents reading to their kids. We want to invite kids from local schools into the White House.
When it comes to science, elevating science once again, and having lectures in the White House where people are talking about traveling to the stars or breaking down atoms, inspiring our youth to get a sense of what discovery is all about.
Thinking about the diversity of our culture and, and inviting jazz musicians and classical musicians and poetry readings in the White House so that, once again, we appreciate this incredible tapestry that's America. I—you know, that, I think, is, is going to be incredibly important, particularly because we're going through hard times. And, historically, what has always brought us through hard times is that national character, that sense of optimism, that willingness to look forward, that, that sense that better days are ahead. I think that our art and our culture, our science, you know, that's the essence of what makes America special, and, and we want to project that as much as possible in the White House.
In order for a democracy to operate effectively, its citizens should be well educated and informed about the issues that affect them. Not only should they understand the three R's, but they also should be knowledgeable about their country's history and have a firm understanding of science and technology. All of us have a stake in scientific literacy, which enables people to use scientific principles and processes to participate in discussions of scientific issues that affect society.
"Science and engineering have driven half the nation's growth in gross domestic product over the last half-century," said the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) CEO Alan I. Leshner, "and lie at the center of many of the major policy and economic challenges the next president will face." President Barack Obama's statement about holding White House talks where he would invite scientists, among others, to talk about the wonders of science indicates that he seems to understand the importance of science and engineering to society.
Use the resources below to help students explore possible topics of future White House discussions or to explore the science policy priorities of the incoming Obama administration in a two-part lesson. They could then use that information for a debate on the role of science and technology in the formulation of government policy.
The Meet the Press video and transcript would be a great jumping-off point for how science and technology have broader implications in seemingly non-scientific arenas. They would be a good way to get students who might not show an everyday interest in science to see how the subject is relevant. Particularly, it could be used to tie discussion into the intersection of government and science and technology.
Science NetLinks offers these resources so you can show students how science and politics are not unrelated issues, but instead work hand-in-hand in the art of governing.
Science NetLinks Resources
Science at the White HouseNEW Resource Type: Lesson Grade Band: 6-8 Description: This lesson engages students in different areas of science through research and helps them integrate writing and scientific knowledge by creating a persuasive letter to President Obama highlighting the science they have studied.
Science Class at the White HouseNEW Resource Type: Student Page Grade Band: 3-12 Description: The student page is the companion page to this teacher page and offers a space for students to watch the Meet the Press video and to vote in the poll. It also provides resources for further exploration of each of the poll options.
Science and PolicyNEW Resource Type: Lesson Grade Band: 9-12 Description: This lesson examines the science policy priorities of the incoming Obama administration in a two-part lesson.
Science and Politics in an Election Year Resource Type: Subject Index Page Grade Band: 9-12 Description: Science NetLinks provides links to resources about the role of science in the 2008 Presidential Election.
Other Resources
President-elect Obama on 'Meet the Press' (Dec. 7, 2008) Resource Type: Website Grade Band: 9-12 Description: This interview between Tom Brokaw and President-elect Obama covers a lot of topics, including the economy, foreign policy, and the transition of power. In one part of the interview, President-elect Obama discusses how he'd like to make the White House more of the "People's House" again and inviting guests to the White House to discuss many different issues, including science.
Science and Technology in the 2008 Presidential Election Resource Type: Website Grade Band: 9-12 Description: AAAS offers answers from the two major candidates to questions about science and technology, as well as other science-related resources for the presidential election.
AAAS R&D Budget and Policy Program Resource Type: Website Grade Band: 9-12 Description: Since 1976, the R&D [Research and Development] Budget and Policy Program has been providing timely, comprehensive, and independent analyses of research and development funding trends in the federal budget as a service to the science, engineering, and policymaking communities. Through its website and email list, the Program makes available continually updated coverage of R&D funding trends, ongoing budget debates in Congress and the Executive Branch, and potential impacts of budget legislation. The site also offers a guide to R&D funding data as well as downloadable copies of its printed reports.
AAAS Center for Science, Technology and Congress Resource Type: Website Grade Band: 9-12 Description: AAAS established the Center for Science, Technology and Congress in July 1994. Funded by a grant from the Burroughs-Wellcome Fund, the Center provides timely, objective information to Congress on current science and technology issues and assists the science and engineering community in understanding and working with Congress. On the Center's website, you can find policy briefs that provide summaries of important science and technology issues and links to key Internet resources. The Center also highlights news and information about top science-related legislative issues.
Important Science-Related United States Governmental Agencies and Offices Resource Type: Website Grade Band: 9-12 Description: These are some of the national governmental groups that use science in their primary responsibilities:
