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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...

Eyed Click Beetles

Dr. Art Evans in Science Matters

Two species of Eyed Click Beetles are located throughout Virginia, one can be found mainly on oak trees, the other under the bark of pines. The “eyes” are actually spots of scales on their mid-section, which are thought to deter would be predators. Their ability to snap their bodies, which produces the clicking sound, also aids as part of their escape mechanism from possible danger.

Eyed Click Beetle

As Shuttle Program Ends, NASA Langley Launches Rocket For Future Explorers

Charles Fishburne in Science Matters

As the Space Shuttle program ends, NASA Langley is planning for the future, and as Charles Fishburne tells us in this WCVE Science Matters Report, a suborbital launch yesterday was a good example of tomorrow’s space program.

Wallops Island Rocket Launch

Area Teacher Goes to Space Academy

John Ogle in Science Matters

Carrie Persing, from The Math Science Innovation Center was one of 250 teachers from 47 states and 27 countries who took part in an Educators Space Academy at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.

Teachers from around the world attend Honeywell Educators Space Academy

Smart Phone Application Finds Vision Problems

Charles Fishburne in Science Matters

A team of University of Virginia physicians and biomedical engineering students has developed a smart phone application to help diagnose vision problems. Charles Fishburne has more in this Science Matters Report.

Dominion Virginia Power Cleans Up Pollution at Chesterfield Power Station

Charles Fishburne in Science Matters

Dominion Virginia Power has just dedicated a new, high-tech, pollution control system at its Chesterfield Power station they say will significantly cleanse Virginia’s air. Charles Fishburne has more in this Science Matters report.