Regarding WGBH's A Science Odyssey Series

Current advances in science and technology are rapidly outpacing the knowledge and comprehension of many American citizens. The gap is increasing between those with scientific and technological knowledge (the "haves") and those increasingly unable to discern the significance of new fundamental discoveries (the "have nots"). Within the context of a global economy, driven in large measure by science and technology, that gap must be reduced.

As the nation's primary federal agency supporting basic science and science education, the National Science Foundation (NSF) is pleased, in its 50th year of existence, to support WGBH's A Science Odyssey program series. This comprehensive television series will inform the public about significant 20th century advances in science and technology and will examine the relevance of these to everyday life. The project incorporates dynamic online and traditional print elements. In addition, museum, video, and interactive Internet-based learning activities will allow diverse audiences to experience the excitement of discovery directly as they learn about the fascinating scientific discoveries of the past 100 years.

This project addresses the exponentially escalating discrepancy between our base of collective scientific/technological knowledge and the intellectual base of our citizens. Its historical content takes advantage of the fact that the audience will be familiar with many or most of the highlighted scientific and technology topics. The project provides a simple context from which to comprehend the scientific method. This in turn will give the audience a foothold for understanding new scientific discoveries and applications of technology.

Nearly 70 percent of Americans support a federal investment in science even if the science shows no immediate return. However, only one in nine Americans feels sufficiently well informed about science and technology. This increasing sense of reliance on science concurrent with decreasing knowledge threatens to undermine future generations' integration into a technology-based economy. It isn't just the lay-person who feels an impending sense of disenfranchisement; even scientists and technologists feel increasingly overwhelmed with the need to be better informed. A Science Odyssey promises an entertaining and highly educational voyage for us all.

Contact:
Lee Herring
(703) 306-1070
kherring@nsf.gov

IBM is the sole national corporate sponsor of A Science Odyssey, a landmark ten-hour public television series produced by WGBH Boston. A Science Odyssey, which presents the epic story of the most rapid century of scientific progress in history, is the first science series ever to pre-empt two hours of regular prime-time PBS scheduling over five consecutive nights.

A Science Odyssey will premiere on PBS on Sunday, January 11, 1998, 8-10 PM, ET. (Please check local listings.)

Charles Osgood, one of America's most distinctive reporters, hosts and narrates the series, which is executive-produced by WGBH's Thomas Friedman.

"All of us at IBM are proud to be associated with A Science Odyssey," said Marianne Caponnetto, Director of Worldwide Media, IBM. "The stories of scientists, men, and women alike, that are told in the series are exciting and inspirational. They focus both on bold individual discoveries and brilliant teamwork. As the century draws to a close, we think it's important to remind television viewers--and especially students--that science has a human face."

IBM will also be an underwriter of an ambitious science education initiative that will take A Science Odyssey into classrooms, homes, libraries and homes all over America. Posters and educator's guides will be distributed nationwide, and partnerships have been forged with many national science and literacy organizations, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Library Association, Association of Science-Technology Centers, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and the National Science Teachers Association. Science museums across the country are planning interactive science demonstrations and simultaneous "camp-ins" for students 9-14, based on the series outreach materials.

IBM has long been associated with the best in science programming. It underwrote many standout PBS science presentations, including "I, Leonardo," "Einstein's Universe," "Planet Earth," and "The Shape of the World." In every case, the company also funded broad-based educational outreach activities in support of the programs. IBM's comprehensive earth science package, created for "Planet Earth," was adopted into curriculum by several states and translated into three languages.

A Science Odyssey is a production of the WGBH Science Unit. The executive-in-charge is Paula S. Apsell, executive producer of NOVA and head of the Science Unit. Executive producer and project director is Thomas Friedman. Corporate funding by IBM joins previously committed major support for the series from the National Science Foundation. Additional funding comes from public television viewers, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and Becton Dickinson and Company.

Contact:
John M. Bukovinsky
IBM
(914) 499-4045
jbuko@us.ibm.com

125 Western Ave Boston, MA 02134 A production of WGBH Boston 617.492.2777 www.pbs.org

Major funding is provided by the National Science Foundation.

Corporate sponsorship is provided by IBM. IBM is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation.

Additional funding comes from public television viewres, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, Carnegie Corporation of New York, and Becton Dickinson and Company.