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February 7, 2006
SU biology professor
makes science learning fun on WAER radio segment
Carol Kim
How does a ball point pen work? What does science have
to do with Valentine's Day? What's different about
Einstein's brain? Listeners of WAER Jazz 88 (FM 88.3)
will learn the answers to these questions and many more
when they tune into "Science on the Radio," a 90-second science information segment featuring Marvin Druger, chair of the Department of Science Teaching and
professor of biology and science education at Syracuse
University. The segment made its debut on Feb. 7.
One of SU's
best-known professors, Druger brings his vast science
expertise and charisma to the general public via the
airwaves of WAER for a bi-weekly dose of science
education. "Science on the Radio" airs twice a day on
Tuesday and Thursday on WAER. Each segment, hosted by Druger, addresses a different topic in science, ranging
from avian flu to space flight in a highly informative
but entertaining format. The segments air at 10:30 a.m.
and 2:30 p.m.
"WAER is pleased
to work with Dr. Druger to develop 'Science on the
Radio,'" says Ron Ockert, director of programming and
operations at WAER. "Dr. Druger's wealth of knowledge
and his enthusiastic personality lend to a unique and
interesting program. We welcome the opportunity to bring
science with a local and regional perspective to our
audience." The concept for 'Science on the Radio' was
conceived by Druger, who works with Newhouse junior Rem
de Rohan to produce the segment.
This is not
Druger's first foray into radio. For 13 years, he hosted
"Druger's Zoo," an information and interview program
that aired on WAER from 1972-1985. On the program, Druger interviewed various people in the Syracuse
community to learn about their lifestyles and jobs.
Druger teaches
general biology to hundreds of SU students every
semester. But that doesn't mean his classes are boring.
There are no long, dry lectures or snoozing students in
his classes. He describes his class, Biology 121, as
"adventures in life." With boundless creativity and
energy, Druger strives to make students understand how
the principles and processes of biology affect their
everyday lives. His approach to teaching science focuses
on engaging students and getting them excited about
understanding the world, not just memorizing facts and
figures. "I like to focus on life. Biology is life, and
life is biology," says Druger.
With more than 50
years of teaching under his belt, Druger knows what it
takes to get people interested in learning science. He
has taught more than 40,000 students and has been
president of three national organizations, including the
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the
largest science education organization in the world.
Druger has been awarded several honors, including the
2000 Robert H. Carleton Award for National Leadership in
the Field of Science Education, the highest award given
by the NSTA.
"I want to give
listeners a positive experience with science in an
informative and humorous way," says Druger, whose goal
for the segment is to reach the general public and
encourage science literacy. "I plan to balance
information with entertainment and possibly bring some
local science news to the radio. We at 'Science on the
Radio' want people to know more and get interested,
because science is everywhere!" |
