Name: Ask the Expert: What Got You Interested in Science?
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NOVA scienceNOW astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson holds office to answer viewer questions.  In this video, Neil explains what got him interested in science as a kid.

Neil deGrasse Tyson explains what got him interested in science as a kid.

Ask the Expert: What Got You Interested in Science?

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 Can the Chimp Get the Grape?
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 Posted February 19, 2008



 NARRATOR:
 
 A new test of apes' copying skills is about to take place at the Keeling Center in Bastrop, Texas. Lydia Hopper knows that one chimp can learn to operate this tricked-out grape dispenser by watching another.


 Hopper wants to figure out just how much an observer needs to see to get the technique. She uses a nearly invisible line to raise the handle. The chimp is being given the mechanical answer. Does he get it?



 LYDIA HOPPER:
 
 I make sure that Adonis is oriented towards the window every time I cause the T-bar to rise.


 I gave the chimpanzee over 200 demonstrations of this. The chimpanzee watched intently, it saw the grapes coming out. It was obviously very excited. It was making food grunts.


 I then give him the tools so that he can have a go at it himself. Again, just as a reminder to Adonis, I show him the grape. He's clearly interested in the grape. I put it in the device and let him have a go.


 And it did nothing. And in fact of all the chimpanzees I've given this form of demonstration to, none of them were able to solve the task, which I find astounding.
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