July 6, 2011

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SA Editor in Chief Mariette DiChristina Teaches Viewers about 'Taz'

By Sophie Bushwick

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This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American

A pilot episode of It Ain't Rocket Science, an original, family-friendly television show that Time Warner Cable has created as part of its Connect a Million Minds venture, aired June 24 on NY1. The program shares information about STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) topics, aiming to cultivate a love of science in children through informational segments and interviews with experts—such as Scientific American Editor in Chief Mariette DiChristina.

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In this segment of It Ain't Rocket Science's 30-minute pilot, DiChristina discusses the transmittable cancer ravaging Tasmanian devils, which NY1 reporter Kafi Drexel compares to the famous fictional incarnation, the Warner Bros. cartoon character "Taz." In the five-minute interview, DiChristina and Drexel discuss the manner of the cancer's transmission and the danger it poses to the Tasmanian devil population.

Other topics in the episode (available on YouTube via the channel run by Connect a Million Minds) included reports on a robotics competition and an Indiana Jones-themed archaeology exhibit at the Montreal Science Centre, as well as interviews with teacher Amir Abo-Shaeer and author Mary Roach.

Sophie Bushwick was formerly the technology editor at Scientific American. She makes frequent appearances on radio shows such as Science Friday and television networks, including CBS, MSNBC and National Geographic. She has more than a decade of experience as a science journalist based in New York City and previously worked at outlets such as Popular Science,Discover and Gizmodo. Follow Bushwick on X (formerly Twitter) @sophiebushwick

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