Coming Up! February 13 to 17, 2012

We’re back from a *(FUN)d DRIVE WEEK*, Dankosky is back from hosting NPR’s Science Friday, Tucker finally passed his kidney stone, and Catie had a Twix for lunch today.

All this week, WNPR reporters Diane Orson, Harriet Jones and Neena Satija are covering STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) issues and the series will culminate with Friday’s Where We Live. Other than that, here is what we have in-store for you this week from 9-10am (and 7-8pm) on the WNPR airwaves:

MONDAY: Norwich

Due to technical issues during our Norwich remote show, we were unable to air it live. But if you weren’t able to make it to the Norwich Arts Center for the recording, you can hear the show today! We talk about the history of Norwich (featuring the infamous Benedict Arnold), downtown development and we’ll hear a song or two from the first “Official State Troubadour.” Norwich holds a special place in our heart since it’s the home to our WPKT transmitter. Our guests include the Norwich Bulletin’s Ray Hackett, Norwich municipal historian Dale Plummer and Executive Director of the Norwich Community Development Corporation Bob Mills.

TUESDAY: Housing and the Achievement Gap

As we head into the legislature’s “education session,” one challenge will be tackling the state’s high achievement gap. One thing lawmakers might want to look at is the impact of affordable and quality housing and how that influences the achievement gap. Teachers can work with students during the day, but what can be done when they go home? What are the effects of a lack of affordable housing options on education?

WEDNESDAY: Sports in Connecticut

Connecticut has a complicated relationship with the sports industry. We have ESPN and NBC Sports. We don’t have the Hartford Whalers or the New England Patriots. We have the Connecticut Sun the PGA Travelers Championship…and of course, the UConn Huskies. We’ll discuss the impact of the sports industry on Connecticut with Chairman and CEO of Whalers Sports & Entertainment Howard Baldwin. We’ll also be joined by ESPN’s longtime sportscaster Linda Cohn, who is moderating the CT Forum’s World of Sports conversation.

THURSDAY: TBA

Sometimes the TBA shows turn into our greatest shows.

FRIDAY: STEM

Despite an unemployment rate of over eight percent, there are many industries in Connecticut that can’t fill vacant jobs. Why? There’s a lack of competence in the STEM areas: science, technology, engineering and math. Today, Where We Live wraps up WNPR’s weeklong coverage of the issue by reporters Diane Orson, Harriet Jones and Neena Satija. How do we prepare students to make them more appealing in today’s workforce? Be sure to listen to WNPR newscasts all this week to hear coverage of STEM in Connecticut?