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Tomorrow’s Jets Could Fly with Flower Power

Camelina Jet Fuel

Due to rising oil prices and environmental concerns, the aviation industry is now looking at many biofuels as alternatives to petroleum derived fuel. NASA researchers conducted a series of test flights recently that proved a commercial jet can fly safely with a blend of jet fuel made from Camelina plant oil.

WCVE Public Radio’s Charles Fishburne has more in this Science Matters report.

Question Your World: How Did Everyone Really End Up Everywhere?

For about 200,000 years humanity has been making its way from Africa to just about every corner of this planet. The study of our past helps explain the evolution of life here on Earth. We’ve put a lot of time and effort into digging through the past and have constructed the time line of our story, all the while continually making new discoveries. So, what happens when we make a new discovery that totally contradicts what we've learned? Listen to the latest Question Your World Radio Report from the Science Museum of Virginia to learn more.

Question Your World: How Do You Feel About Robots?

robot

Would you be happy if a robot gave you flowers? Would you be sad if you saw someone hurt a robot? Those are the types of questions that were on a recent German scientific survey, but why? Why do we need to understand how we feel about robots? Listen to the latest Question Your World Radio Report from the Science Museum of Virginia to learn more.

Question Your World: How Far Does Our Solar System Stretch?

Voyager

Our lovely and comfortable home here on Earth is a long way away from the end of our solar system. Here on Earth concepts of boundaries involve rivers, lakes, mountains, human imposed borders, and so on. However, this is not how the limits of our solar system are established. There is not one point that defines the end, but there is definitely an end and it’s really far from here. Listen to the latest Question Your World Radio Report from the Science Museum of Virginia to learn more.

Question Your World: Why Do We Like the Music We Like?

music headphones

Think about all the music you’ve ever listened to. Everything from Beethoven’s 5th to “Call Me Maybe” are processed through the brain, but what about them allows the brain to say yay or nay? Listen to the latest Question Your World Radio Report from the Science Museum of Virginia to learn more.

More From WCVE Public Radio...

James River Expedition Completes First Segment

John Ogle in Science Matters

The Second Annual James River Expedition is underway. On Saturday, students who paddled the first of three segments of the James arrived in Cartersville. John Ogle reports.

Learn More and Watch a Video Report Here.

Geological Survey Mapping Earthquake's Path

John Ogle in Science Matters

People who live in Goochland, Louisa, and Fluvanna counties may notice a low flying plane over the next few days. It’s involved in some follow-up science on last summer's earthquake.  WCVE Correspondent John Ogle reports.  

Geophysicist Anji Shah
Geologist Wright Horton

Dominion Virginia Power Opens Hybrid Energy Plant

Charles Fishburne in Science Matters

Dominion Virginia Power has just opened a huge coal-burning plant in Southwest Virginia that is state of the art.  And as WCVE Correspondent Charles Fishburne reports, it has scientific, economic and environmental impact unlike any other
plant in the country.

Virginia State Offers STEM Teacher Training

John Ogle in Science Matters

It has been reported that there will be a shortage of 280,000 math and science teachers by 2015. The Thurgood Marshall College Fund, working with a million dollar grant from Altria, has added two new Teacher Quality and Retention Programs to 48 others in session nationwide. One is at Tennessee State College in Nashville, the other is at Virginia State University.  John Ogle reports.

Environment Virginia Says Electric Car Sales Could Reach Half a Million By 2015

Charles Fishburne in Science Matters

Environment Virginia says a new survey predicts almost half a million all-electric vehicles will be sold between 2012 and 2015 that will reduce damage to the environment. Charles Fishburne reports.