Astrobiology & the Podcast

For week two of my academics with Peru State College, we were supposed to find a Podcast using iTunes and post it to our blog after reviewing the cast and discussing educational implications.  For the podcast chosen, I found the NASA Astrobiology Magazine to discuss arguments in science and the implications of two very debatable topics: life on other planets and advanced human aviation & spacefare.

The educational implications for such arguments regarding the Astrobiology Magazine obviously can be scrutinized in conservative school districts where the creationism ideology usually argues against the span of biological life outside of the planet Earth.  Furthermore, the introduction of human travel and the cost to send such individuals to different worlds would be highly debatable amongst conservative and some liberal schools where arguments for robotic travel and/or cost saving steps to prevent more human loss of life is potentially imminent.

The classroom benefits to using such a topic is clearly full of situations that most educators would like to stray from.  The answer most school districts would expect to hear when confronted with this issue is no.  In my estimation, this is a poor performance of educational strategy and leadership because the future of our students depends on the technologies and advancements that we can provide them in a world of lessening resources and economic energy.  Clearly the argument of biology on other planets remains, but the fact that science is uncovering geologically active moons and satellite systems within our universe is enough proof to warrant discussion of the science.

On 6/21/2010, a podcast post titled "Cell Cell" warrants enough motivation for me to understand life in even the most microbial fashion is enough to move the entire theory of science in the direction to understanding vs defense conservative postures.

I am often reminded of the famous voyagers who sailed the open seas in the 15th century in search of the Indies.  Many people of the feared traveling nor favored the idea as blasphemy against the Church.  In modern times, we know such ideas were incorrect and that continents around the world waited our exploration.  Even native people inhabited these lands full of resources, wealth, and new foods.  I'm not arguing that we will find worlds with new people or lands harboring life with this argument for travel.  I am saying we will find more worlds and the vast geographical differences from planet to planet.  Introducing Astrobiology is a great step to the process I am proposing.