UW Television Program Examines Government

Retiring University of Wyoming Vice President for Research and Economic Development Bill Gern will discuss on “Wyoming Signatures” how UW reacts to presidential orders regarding research and the trend of industry relying increasingly on government-funded research.

Gern is among guests on the information program “Wyoming Signatures” Sunday, Feb. 19, at 5:30 p.m. on Wyoming Public Television.

In another segment, Mike Pierce, UW Department of Physics and Astronomy associate professor, will discuss how to prepare for the total solar eclipse Aug. 21. Experts say the eclipse may be best viewed along a swath of Wyoming essentially from Torrington to Jackson.

Pierce says as many as 500,000 tourists could gather in Wyoming for the two-and-a-half minute event, nearly doubling the state’s population.

Also, Brian Barber, the UW Berry Biodiversity Conservation Center’s head of science programs, shares his experience working with Girl Scouts to investigate the impact of the Laramie River restoration project.

Barber says the project restored his faith in the future of humankind because he was impressed by the scouts’ research skills and determination over the summerlong project designed, in part, to help reduce the gender gap in science. The program is part of the larger citizen science initiative prevalent throughout the Rocky Mountain region and supported by UW’s Biodiversity Institute.

“Wyoming Signatures” is produced by UWTV of the UW Outreach School. Wyoming PBS can be seen over the air and via cable or satellite in communities throughout Wyoming. A complete list of channels can be found at www.wyomingpbs.org/coverage.php.