USU's Science Unwrapped Welcomes NPR’s Joe Palca Friday, Nov. 14

Translating the wonders and intricacies of scientific discovery into language non-scientists can understand is often a formidable challenge. But it’s not impossible.

“I can prove, by example, that any topic can be made informative and entertaining for a lay audience,” says Joe Palca, science correspondent for National Public Radio.

Utah State University’s Science Unwrapped welcomes Palca as featured speaker Friday, Nov. 14.  He presents “Unwrapping Science on the Radio” at 7 p.m. in the Emert Auditorium (Room 130) of the Eccles Science Learning Center. Admission is free and all ages are welcome. Hands-on learning activities and refreshments follow Palca’s presentation.

“In my talk, I’ll demonstrate how to present a complex topic in a short amount of time,” Palca says.

In the NPR series Joe’s Big Idea, Palca explores the minds and motivations of scientists and inventors. He began his journalism career in television in 1982, working as a health producer for Washington, D.C.’s CBS affiliate. In 1986, he left television for a seven-year stint as a print journalist, first as the Washington news editor for Nature, and then as a senior correspondent for Science Magazine. He joined NPR in 1992.

Hosted by the College of Science, Palca’s presentation is the last of three presentations in Science Unwrapped’s fall 2014 “Matter of Patterns” series. His USU appearance is made possible by support from Utah Public Radio.

Science Unwrapped resumes Jan. 16, with the spring 2015 “Great Salt Lake Today” series during USU’s upcoming Year of Water.

For more information, call 435-797-3517, visit the Science Unwrapped website or view the ‘Science Unwrapped at USU’ Facebook page.

Related link:

USU College of Science

Contact: Nancy Huntly, 435-797-2555, nancy.huntly@usu.edu

Writer: Mary-Ann Muffoletto, 435-797-3517, maryann.muffoletto@usu.edu