Ehlers, physicist, congressman, to speak on science education

Rep. Vernon J. Ehlers, one of only two scientists in the U.S. House of Representatives, will be on the UW–Madison campus Friday, Sept. 26, to speak about science education.

A six-term Michigan Republican, Ehlers is well-known as an ardent proponent of improving the quality of science education in the United States. He serves on the influential House Science Committee and he has introduced legislation, the National Science Education Acts, aimed at reforming the nation’s K-12 science, mathematics, engineering and technology education.

While on campus, Ehlers will meet with faculty and administrators to discuss science education and will have an opportunity to explore a number of budding programs that have helped UW–Madison become a leading center of science education research and practice in the United States. Programs of interest include the

Systemwide Changes for All Learners and Educators program, the Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, and the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning.

His lecture, “Science, Education and Congress,” will be held from noon-1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26, in Room 911, Van Vleck Hall, 480 Lincoln Drive. The event is free and open to the public.