Science Court Podcast - podcast cover

Science Court Podcast

SciCourt•scicourt.umn.edu
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Science Court is project designed to combat polarization in American society and strengthen democracy. It is run as an interdisciplinary course in the University of Minnesota Honors Program involving students from across the university. The students select a controversial issue and spend an entire semester studying it in depth to determine the facts (based on sound scientific research) and then argue it in a mock trial in front of a jury of citizens with a mix of views and backgrounds.
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Episodes

S3, E6: Depolarizing America - The Verdict Is In!

In this final episode of Depolarizing America, hosted by Matt Simonson, we recap this semester's SciCourt trial, talk to jurors before they deliberate, and announce the verdict! Our Media Team, Matt Simonson, Jess Jurcek, and Hannah Ihekoronye, also reflect on the semester, their initial expectations, and the work they've done this year. Follow us on social media -- Instagram, Twitter and Facebook at @scicourt -- to be alerted next spring when SciCourt gavels back into session.

May 01, 2021•17 min

S3, E5: Depolarizing America - Days Before Trial, Is Legal Team Ready?

In this fifth episode of Depolarizing America, hosted by Matt Simonson, we will be talking with the legal pro and con teams about their confidence for the trial and what they have done to prepare. The University of Minnesota Science Court students are researching and debating whether mandatory service programs could work to create more political and racial harmony in the United States. This semester’s Science Court trial is on April 24, starting at 9 a.m. If you’re interested in attending virtua...

Apr 23, 2021•12 min

S3, E3: Depolarizing America - How Can People Be Motivated to Participate in Voluntary Service?

The University of Minnesota Science Court students are researching and debating whether mandatory service programs could work to create more political and racial harmony in the United States. In this third episode of Depolarizing America, hosted by Matt Simonson, SciCourt examines educational opportunities and marketing volunteer service programs. Jessica Jurcek and Simonson interview members of the science and legal team. Jennie Lim discusses the importance of motivation and skill development f...

Apr 02, 2021•15 min

S3, E2: Depolarizing America - How Psychology and Public Health Play Into Service Programs

The University of Minnesota Science Court students are researching and debating whether mandatory service programs could work to create more political and racial harmony in the United States. In this second episode of Depolarizing America, hosted by Matt Simonson, SciCourt examines the public health and psychology of volunteer and mandatory service programs. Matt Simonson and Hannah Ihekoronye interview members of the science team. Philip Dowdell discusses the impact of mandatory service program...

Mar 23, 2021•21 min

S3, E1: Depolarizing America - How Have Service Programs Worked in the U.S. and Around the World?

The University of Minnesota Science Court students will research and debate this semester whether mandatory service programs could work to create more political and racial harmony in the United States. In this first episode of Depolarizing America, hosted by Matt Simonson, SciCourt explores historic efforts to combat polarization both inside and outside the United States. Hannah Ihekoronye and Jess Jurcek interview two members of the legal team, Andrew Bremner and Nishant Satpathy, to discuss th...

Mar 07, 2021•24 min

S2, E5: A Gee-Whiz Solution to the Climate Crisis?

Nuclear energy: is it too good to be true? Find out a little about the environmental impact of nuclear engineering on the environment- and whether it's the clean energy source we should be investing in.

Mar 06, 2021•3 min

S2, E4: Dams Kill People, Too!

Nuclear energy has a pretty bad reputation- radioactive materials, nuclear meltdowns- most people don't really trust the safety of nuclear power plants. Most people might just be unfairly biased against nuclear power, and we'll discuss it in the latest podcast about the health and safety of nuclear engineering.

Mar 06, 2021•6 min

S2, E3: Kerri Miller Visits Science Court

The ScienceCourt team was lucky enough to sit down with MPR host and former television reporter Kerri Miller to discuss their research and arguments. Gear up, because the team is ready for court!

Mar 06, 2021•7 min

S2, E2: How Complicated Can Nuclear Power Really Be?

We've all heard of nuclear power, but how much does the average person really know about it? How important is it in the energy industry? And what is the current status of nuclear power here in the US? In this episode you'll get a crash-course in the state of nuclear power in the United States, and with it a good idea of why we're taking it to court.

Mar 06, 2021•4 min

S2, E1: Drugs, Nukes and Cars, Oh My!

Welcome back for year 2 of the science-court podcast! Find out what we’ve been up to in the first few weeks of class, and what we’ll be learning about and sharing with you for the rest of the semester. (Hint hint: this year’s going to be powerful!)

Mar 06, 2021•6 min

S1, E5: Tech In Education On Trial, Part 2

The trial is over and the jury is deliberating. With a couple last minute questions from the jury, the very first SciCourt Trial is DONE Professor Tadmor was ecstatic that his vision for this class was a success! The jury went into deliberation and will have a verdict on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018.

Mar 06, 2021•5 min

S1, E4: Tech In Education On Trial, Part 1

After 12 weeks of research, practice and preparation, SciCourt has finally reached the courtroom! The trial began with Professor Ellad Tadmor giving an overview of what SciCourt is and why it is relevant in today's society. After 10 years of thinking about a class like this, Tadmor said the time to do this class was now. And so… it begins!

Mar 06, 2021•4 min

S1, E3: Which Case Will We Pick?

The finalists from last week are 1) drug price regulation and, 2) one-to-one technology for K-12 students in school. They are being put to the test by their teams today. Let’s see how they stack up. Each team was given 20 minutes to present their case and a 10-minute discussion period. Unlike the last week’s presentations, the purpose of the presentations this week was not to prove that your Drug Prices (final presentation)case is superior, but to explain to the class whether or not the case wou...

Mar 06, 2021•1 min

S1, E2: Case Pitches

Science Court has officially begun! The students have been split into groups of two and each team has come up with a potential case to be tried in SciCourt. Case topics include: - privatized prisons - immigration laws - mandatory recycling - online behavioral targeting - direct to consumer advertising of pharmaceutical drugs - ceasing subsidies for nonrenewable resources - sanctuary cities - regulation of drug prices - technology in K-12 schools In total there were nine potential case ideas, but...

Mar 06, 2021•1 min

S1, E1: What is Science Court?

Science Court is more than just a class, it’s a tool for social change. We live in a time filled with polarization and distrust. SciCourt is an Honors Seminar offered at the University of Minnesota attempting to create a place where debate on controversial issues is based on facts and where a decision on the issue is guaranteed. To achieve this goal, SciCourt takes on the form of a mock trial with a few key changes: - Instead of putting people on trial, SciCourt puts the issues society faces in ...

Dec 04, 2018•1 min
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