Episode 1: Astronomy

This episode explores the wonders of the cosmos with two of Vermont’s leading astronomical physicists. John O’Meara of St. Michael's College is using infrared technology to view galaxy formations 12 billion light years away. Joanna Rankin of the University of Vermont is using radio astronomy to explore one type of celestial body – the pulsar. Also, visits with astronauts Alan Bean and Jerry Carr at the 2009 Stellafane telescope-makers convention in Springfield, Vt..

Featured experts:

• Bill Muench, Burr and Burton Academy
• John Gallagher, Springfield Telescope Makers
• Gerald Carr, former NASA astronaut
• Alan Bean, former NASA astronaut
• John O’Meara, St. Michael’s College
• Joanna Rankin, University of Vermont
  

Episode 2: Ecological Economics

With the recent failings of our financial system, new economic models need to be considered. Bob Costanza and Jon Erickson from the University of Vermont’s Gund Institute explain the concepts of ecological economics – a different framework to answer the age-old economic question: how do we allocate scarce resources to create alternative desirable ends? As a case study, the program explores a new interdisciplinary UVM study in the emerging science of biofuels.

Featured experts:

• Jon Erickson, University of Vermont Gund Institute
• Bob Costanza, University of Vermont Gund Institute
• Mary Watzin, University of Vermont
• Heather Darby, University of Vermont Extension
• Don Ross, University of Vermont
  

Episode 3: Food Pathogens

From tainted spinach to recalled hamburgers to peanut butter, there seems to be a growing incidence of health scares involving salmonella, E. coli and other food-borne illnesses. This episode explores the science of identifying and tracking food pathogens in the U.S. Ken Puzey of QuantaSpec, Inc., in Burlington, Vt., describes how his company is making great strides in early detection, and Dr. Jane Hill at the University of Vermont explains the complex issues of pathogen migration.

Featured experts:

• Jane Hill, University of Vermont
• Patsy Kelso, Vermont state epidemiologist
• Catherine Donnelly, University of Vermont
• Paul Kindstedt, University of Vermont
• Ken Puzey, QuantaSpec Inc.
  

Episode 4: Disease Origins & Transmission

Infectious diseases such as SARS and the H1N1 virus seem to be on the rise across the globe. This episode explores the science of disease origins and transmission – with much of the current research occurring in Africa. University of Vermont professor Arne Bomblies' research models hydrology and entomology factors related to malaria transmission. Jon Erickson and Michel Masozera of UVM’s Gund Institute introduce us to the HALI Project in Tanzania and explain the concept of One Health, which encourages interaction among physicians, veterinarians, ecologists and other health-related professionals in the study of disease transmission.

Featured experts:

• Arne Bomblies, University of Vermont
• Jody Stryker, University of Vermont
• Jon Erickson, University of Vermont Gund Institute
• Harrison Sadiki, HALI Project, Sokoine University, Tanzania
• Jonna A.K. Mazet, UC Davis
• Rudovick R. Kazawala, HALI Project, Sokoine University, Tanzania
• Michel Masozera, University of Vermont
• Deana Clifford, UC Davis
  

Episode 1: Energy

Host Amy Seidl visits with Vermont scientists to explore the history of energy in human society, examining how we use energy and the challenges and opportunities associated with adapting to new, renewable sources. Included: how Vermont scientists are contributing to the growth potential of wind energy and helping redefine the electric grid to accommodate alternative energy sources.

Featured experts:

• Paul Hines
  Assistant Professor, School of Engineering
  University of Vermont
  
  
• Julie Marble
  CEO
  Sentient Corporation
  
  
• John LaRue
  Sole Proprietor
  Natural Horizons
  
  
• David Morris
  Vice President
  Institute for Local Self-Reliance
  Minneapolis, MN
  
  
• Bob Hargraves
  Professor, Energy Policy
  Dartmouth ILEAD
  
  
• Mary Powell
  President and CEO
  Green Mountain Power
  
  
• John Irving
  Manager of Power Supply and Plant Manager
  Burlington Electric Department
  
  
• Dick Valentinetti
  Director
  Center for Climate Change and Waste Reduction
  State of Vermont
  
  
• AJ Rossman
  CEO/Founder
  Draker Labs
  

Episode 2: Food Webs

This episode explores two Vermont “food webs”: the aquatic food web of Lake Champlain and the terrestrial food web in the time since wolves disappeared from the Vermont landscape. While food webs can be relatively simple to understand, Vermont scientists are delving into their complexities by modeling one of the smallest self-contained food webs known: the aquatic habitat in the pitcher plant.

Featured experts:

• Nick Gotelli
  Professor of Biology
  University of Vermont
  
  
• Aaron Ellison
  Senior Research Fellow
  Harvard Univeristy
  
  
• Ellen Marsden
  Professor
  Rubenstein School of Environmental and Natural Resources
  University of Vermont
  
  
• Peggy Struhsacker
  Biologist / Wolf Specialist
  Natural Resources Defense Council
  
  
• David Zuckerman
  Organic Farmer / VT State Representative
  Full Moon Farm

Episode 3: Technology of Social Sciences

What are the technological tools used by today’s social scientists to understand the behavior of large populations? This episode explains how Vermont scientists are studying child behavior and “teaching” robots how to learn. Also, a look at how the Internet is affecting our behavior and how data mining enables scientists to understand the collective behavior and emotions of hundreds of thousands of people.

Episode 4: Transportation

This episode starts with a lesson in how the combustion engine works, then investigates the challenges of continued dependence on gasoline vehicles in the face of climate change and declining oil reserves. Also, a look at emerging transportation alternatives including electric vehicles and a renewable system called “vehicle-to-grid.”

Episode 5: Fresh Water

This look at one of Vermont’s most plentiful resources also includes a broader discussion of the status of fresh water across the U.S., and highlights case studies and research programs - from coastal Maine to the Mississippi bayou to the dry landscapes of the West. What are scientists doing to ensure clean water for our future?

Episode 1: Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is our ability to engineer specific attributes of materials and machines by controlling their features at an amazingly small scale -- one billionth of a meter. At UVM, a scientist gives a glimpse of how nanotechnology may increase the efficacy of cancer drugs.

Featured experts:

• Randall Headrick, associate professor, physics, University of Vermont
• Darren Hitt, associate professor, mechanical engineering, University of Vermont
• Chris Landry, professor, chemistry, University of Vermont
• Bill Parker, physicist and inventor, Creative MicroSystems Corporation, Waitsfield
• Frederic Sansoz, assistant professor, mechanical engineering and materials science, University of Vermont
• Walter Varhue, professor, electrical engineering, University of Vermont

Episode 2: Weather and Climate Change

Scientists from UVM, Lyndon State College, and the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium in St. Johnsbury explain how the earth’s climate system works and explore the impact of global warming.

Featured experts:

• Nolan Atkins, professor, meteorology, Lyndon State College, Lyndonville
  
• Alan K. Betts, past president of the Vermont Academy of Science and Engineering, and president, Atmospheric Research, Pittsford
  
• Mark Breen, senior meteorologist, Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium, St. Johnsbury
  
• Lesley-Ann Dupigny-Giroux, associate professor, geography, University of Vermont, and Vermont state climatologist
  
• Steve Maleski, meteorologist, Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium, St. Johnsbury
  
• Burr Morse, Morse Farm, Maple Sugarworks, Montpelier
  
• Timothy Perkins, director, UVM Proctor Maple Research Center

Episode 3: Water and The Landscape

This episode explores a complex system --- the Lake Champlain watershed. UVM faculty collaborate, using their expertise in geology, hydrology, ecology, computer science and other disciplines to develop complex modeling. Their work will help to quantify human impacts on Vermont’s water systems

Featured experts:

• Steven Arcone, research geophysicist, USACE Engineer Research and Development Center, Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, Hanover, N.H.
  
• Paul Bierman, professor, geology and natural resources, University of Vermont
  
• Roelof Boumans, associate research professor, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources/Gund Institute, University of Vermont
  
• William “Breck” Bowden, Patrick professor of watershed science and planning, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont
  
• Margaret J. Eppstein, assistant professor, computer science, and director, Complex Systems Center, University of Vermont
  
• George Pinder, professor, engineering, computer science and mathematics and statistics, University of Vermont
  
• Donna Rizzo, assistant professor, School of Engineering, College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, University of Vermont
  
• Mary Watzin, professor, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont
  
• Beverly Wemple, associate professor, geography, University of Vermont

Episode 4: Remote Wireless Sensing

Looks at how remote wireless sensing is being applied to enhance health and quality of life. One example is monitoring the strength of structures like bridges. In other applications, computer scientists are developing ways to monitor environmental conditions and natural resources.

Featured experts:

• Steve Arms, president, MicroStrain Inc., Williston
  
• Jeff Frolik, assistant professor, School of Engineering, University of Vermont
  
• Byung Lee, associate professor, computer science, University of Vermont
  
• Christian Skalka, assistant professor, computer science, University of Vermont
  
• Sean Wang, Dorothean professor, computer science, University of Vermont