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Tomorrow’s Jets Could Fly with Flower Power

Camelina Jet Fuel

Due to rising oil prices and environmental concerns, the aviation industry is now looking at many biofuels as alternatives to petroleum derived fuel. NASA researchers conducted a series of test flights recently that proved a commercial jet can fly safely with a blend of jet fuel made from Camelina plant oil.

WCVE Public Radio’s Charles Fishburne has more in this Science Matters report.

Question Your World: How Did Everyone Really End Up Everywhere?

For about 200,000 years humanity has been making its way from Africa to just about every corner of this planet. The study of our past helps explain the evolution of life here on Earth. We’ve put a lot of time and effort into digging through the past and have constructed the time line of our story, all the while continually making new discoveries. So, what happens when we make a new discovery that totally contradicts what we've learned? Listen to the latest Question Your World Radio Report from the Science Museum of Virginia to learn more.

Question Your World: How Do You Feel About Robots?

robot

Would you be happy if a robot gave you flowers? Would you be sad if you saw someone hurt a robot? Those are the types of questions that were on a recent German scientific survey, but why? Why do we need to understand how we feel about robotsListen to the latest Question Your World Radio Report from the Science Museum of Virginia to learn more.

Question Your World: How Far Does Our Solar System Stretch?

Voyager

Our lovely and comfortable home here on Earth is a long way away from the end of our solar system. Here on Earth concepts of boundaries involve rivers, lakes, mountains, human imposed borders, and so on. However, this is not how the limits of our solar system are established. There is not one point that defines the end, but there is definitely an end and it’s really far from here. Listen to the latest Question Your World Radio Report from the Science Museum of Virginia to learn more.

Question Your World: Why Do We Like the Music We Like?

music headphones

Think about all the music you’ve ever listened to. Everything from Beethoven’s 5th to “Call Me Maybe” are processed through the brain, but what about them allows the brain to say yay or nay? Listen to the latest Question Your World Radio Report from the Science Museum of Virginia to learn more.

More From WCVE Public Radio...

High School Robot Competition This Weekend at the Science Museum of Virginia

Teams of students in middle and high school will compete in the First Tech Challenge with robots they have built themselves at the Science Museum of Virginia this weekend. Charles Fishburne has more in this Science Matters report.

Offshore Drilling Freeze Gives New Momentum to Wind Power

With the President’s new moratorium on offshore drilling, wind power advocates seized the opportunity to talk about their favorite renewable energy resource. Charles Fishburne has more in this Science Matters report.

Grants Announced at BioTech Park

Resident companies and one graduate firm at the Virginia Bio Technology Research Park will be getting $1.3 million in federal tax credits and grants.

Math Science Center’s “Lets Innovate” Conferences Set

The first of the annual Lets Innovate Conferences will be held Saturday at the Math-Science Innovation Center.

Mayor to Announce Program to Replace City Vehicles with Electric Vans

Richmond City is about to embark on a pilot program to replace its fleet of city vehicles with new electric ones. Charles Fishburne has more in this Science Matters reports.