We the Geeks: Extreme Science

Our nation is built upon a legacy of discovery, innovation, and ingenuity – forged over centuries by creative minds, inventors, and thinkers who inspire American citizens, and especially young people, to discover and solve problems in the world around them.

Throughout history, these STEM all-stars have gone to great lengths—including to the heights of Earth’s atmosphere; the depths of our oceans, and into the far reaches of space—in order to unlock new discoveries and expand the frontiers of knowledge. These “extreme” scientists and engineers conduct their work atop mountains and volcanoes, in frigid temperatures, at high speeds, and on the ocean floor – all in pursuit of new insights that will push the boundaries of science and technology.

On Tuesday, April 22 at 4:00 pm ET, the White House will host a new episode of We the Geeks on extreme science. Tune in to this Google+ Hangout to hear from some incredible scientists who are doing research at the edges of the Earth and beyond in pursuit of extreme science!

• Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere; Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and former NASA astronaut
• Lieutenant Don Walsh, Deep Sea Explorer and Oceanographer –was on the first mission to reach and explore the deepest part of the world's ocean
• Forrest Jehlik, Research Engineer at Argonne National Laboratory’s Center for Transportation Research—is testing the limits of engine components and fuels as the head of the Green Racing Program
• Robin E. Bell, Marine Geology and Geophysics Research Professor, Columbia University Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory— studies sub-glacial lakes, ice sheet dynamics and tectonics in Antarctica
• Tom Marshburn, NASA Astronaut and Physician—a NASA mission veteran who has completed space walks and underwater missions as an “aquanaut”

Viewers can join the conversation by asking questions on Twitter using #WeTheGeeks. And you can view the hangout Tuesday at 4:00 pm ET by visiting www.WhiteHouse.gov/WeTheGeeks.

This Google Hangout is part of an exciting week of activities at the White House in celebration of National Science Week! Other Science Week activities include:

• On Monday, to kick off Science Week, the White House featured a number of hands-on STEM experiences for the thousands of children and families visiting the White House for one of our oldest and most treasured traditions, the White House Easter Egg Roll.  As part of the activities on the South Lawn, guests learned about engineering and physics while building kites and bunny helicopters and will learn about biology while planting seeds they can take home and watch grow.  Former NASA astronaut and NFL player and STEM role model, Leland Melvin, was featured on the Storytime Stage. 
• On Tuesday, watch “We the Geeks: Extreme Science” and stay tuned to OSTP’s blog and twitter account (@whitehouseostp) as we amplify Earth Day, and how science plays a critical role in protecting the planet and building a sustainable future for our kids and grandkids.
• On Wednesday, in response to the President’s call for “all hands on deck” to improve STEM education in America, OSTP will welcome a number of leaders from the STEM education community to the White House to provide share ideas and input about how the Administration and members of the private, philanthropic, non-profit, and education sectors can work together to improve STEM learning for students across the country.
• On Thursday, OSTP Director John Holdren, President Obama’s Science Advisor, will kick off a preview of the USA Science and Engineering Festival along with hundreds of DC-area high school students at the Washington Convention Center. 
• On Friday, John Holdren and other senior White House officials will welcome a group of STEM youth ambassadors to the White House for a candid conversation about STEM learning and challenges and opportunities facing our Nation’s young scientists and engineers.

We hope you’ll join us as we geek-out during Science Week! Start by tuning into “We the Geeks: Extreme Science” this Tuesday at 4pm ET by visiting www.WhiteHouse.gov/WeTheGeeks and join the conversation on Twitter using #WeTheGeeks.

Danielle Carnival is a Senior Policy Advisor at the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy. Bess Evans is Senior Policy Advisor for Public Engagement at the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy.