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| Home>News>2006>Titanic | For Immediate Release: |
October 18, 2006 |
SCIENTIST WHO DISCOVERED TITANIC SHIPWRECK COMING TO SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY
Washington, D.C. -- Interested in exploring the wreckage of the RMS Titanic? U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf (VA-10) announced today that Dr. Robert Ballard, explorer-in-residence at the National Geographic Society, will describe some of his notable deep-sea discoveries as well as how scientists can motivate students by bringing the thrill of discovery and exploration into the classroom at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, October 23, at the Shenandoah University Ohrstrom-Bryant Theater.
“I hope area students and their parents will not miss this special opportunity to spend an evening with the renowned oceanographer who discovered the Titanic shipwreck and subsequently developed a national education program that virtually takes students to the bottom of the sea as a way to get them excited about math and science,” Wolf said.
Dr. Ballard’s presentation, which will focus on past and future ocean expeditions, is being held by Shenandoah University, in conjunction with the public school systems of the City of Winchester, Frederick, Warren, and Clarke counties.
In addition to his role as explorer-in-residence at the National Geographic Society, Dr. Ballard is the founder and chairman of The JASON Project, a national educational program that uses advanced technology to virtually bring students along on scientific explorations. The curriculum was developed in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NASA and other leading institutions.
The House subcommittee which Wolf chairs funds many of the federal government’s science-related programs and agencies, including The JASON Project, NOAA, NASA and the National Science Foundation (NSF).
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“I am working with the NSF to develop more innovative and exciting programs like The JASON Project to heighten interest in the sciences for K-12 students,” Wolf said. “Few realize that the United States is graduating far fewer scientists and engineers than our competitors in Asia and Europe, and published research by Americans is down.
“These trends – along with slumping science test scores of American students – should be setting off alarm bells, especially as more high-tech products, and the high-tech jobs behind them, are located elsewhere,” Wolf continued. “I want to do everything possible to ensure that our children have the tools they need to succeed in the ever expanding world marketplace and that America remains strong and secure, as well as the world’s leader when it comes to innovation and technology.”