NPR’S IRA FLATOW EXPLORES “THE MAGIC OF SCIENCE” WITH THE DANFORTH CENTER


As children we experience science as something almost magical – it transforms the world into a playground to be discovered, indexed and explored. But at some point in most modern schooling, a large rift forms between those few who are ‘born scientists’ and everyone else. Science changes from wondrous to mysterious, exclusive and esoteric. And while most students won’t become researchers, a nuanced understanding of science in our modern world is becoming more essential every day.


For the Danforth Center, an institution focused on basic research foundational to the health of our planet and its people, it is critical to our mission that we encourage the community to recapture its fascination with the wonders and possibilities of science.


FLATOW IS ARGUABLY THE NPR EQUIVALENT OF A SUPERSTAR. HIS RADIO SHOW, TALK OF THE


NATION: SCIENCE FRIDAY, HAS INFORMED AND


EXCITED PEOPLE ABOUT SCIENCE FOR NEARLY TWO DECADES.


On March 11, 2010 the Center presented “The Magic of Science: Up Close With Ira Flatow,” hosted by the Danforth Society. Flatow is arguably the NPR equivalent of a superstar. His radio show, Talk of the Nation: Science Friday, has informed and excited people about science for nearly two decades.


With James W. Davis, the Center’s exceptional Conversations moderator and professor emeritus of political science at Washington University in St. Louis joining Flatow on the AT&T auditorium stage, the discussion remained lively and thought provoking. Audience members were also able to participate in a Q & A session at the end of the talk.


Flatow touched upon many topics, including his history in radio, his frustration with mainstream scientific reporting, how to best teach scientific concepts in schools, as well as how he works to convey complex ideas.


Flatow’s visit to St. Louis was made in conjunction with his Science Friday broadcast, presented by St. Louis Public Radio, which broadcast the following day from the Saint Louis Science Center. Flatow’s March 12, 2010 episode featured Danforth Center Principal Investigator Dr. Richard Sayre, where they discussed the potential of biotech crops to feed the developing world. Dr. Sayre was invited back to Science Friday the following month, where he served as an expert on biofuels.


After visiting the region and touring the Danforth Center, Flatow summed up his impressions regarding St. Louis’ potential: “I think St. Louis really does have an opportunity to become the plant capital of the country… You have the resources here, you have universities here, you have the housing here, you have the facilities here… you certainly have an opportunity here, and you’ve got a great baseball team, so what else do you need?”


Special thanks to Connie & Dan Burkhardt, who were instrumental in making this event possible.


28 2010 Annual Report


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