In this hour, we'll talk about whether Congress is getting the scientific expertise it needs to evaluate current issues like energy, climate change, public health and more. In 1995, Congress defunded the Office of Technology Assessment, which was created to provide Congress with independent, nonpartisan advice on scientific issues.One congressman says that there needs to be a new nonpartisan research group to take over where OTA left off. We'll talk about it.

Then we'll turn to the idea of making ethanol fuel for cars and industry from corn. One economist is worried that there won't be enough corn left over to feed people. Is ethanol the answer to our energy woes?

And this week, the new National Commission on 21st Century Education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is holding its first meeting to prepare a report to Congress on ways to improve science education. We'll talk to the Commission's Co-Chair about what science education will look like in the future. Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255 (2-3 Eastern). Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.

Guests:
Rush Holt (D-NJ)
Congressional Representative, New Jersey's 12th District
Princeton, New Jersey
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Lester Brown
Author, "Plan B 2.0: Rescuing a Planet Under Stress and a Civilization in Trouble" (WW Norton, 2006)
Founder, Earth Policy Institute
Washington, DC

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Leon Lederman
Co-Chair, National Commission on 21st Century Education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
Nobel Laureate in Physics, 1988
Director Emeritus, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
Chicago, Illinois

Books/Articles Discussed:

"Plan B 2.0: Rescuing a Planet Under Stress and a Civilization in Trouble," by Lester R. Brown. WW Norton, 2006.

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This segment produced by Anne Marie Cunningham