February 12, 1982 - In this Science Town Meeting, held at Arts and Science Center Auditorium in St. Paul, Bruce Small, an environmental engineer and author, speaks on formaldehyde and indoor air pollutants. Small’s address is titled “Indoor Pollution: Home, Deadly Home.” MPR’s Rich Dietman hosts and moderates’ program.
February 26, 1982 - In this Science Town Meeting, held at Arts and Science Center Auditorium in St. Paul, Dr. Arthur Harkins, Associate Professor of Future Studies at the University of Minnesota, speaks on co-existence of humanity and robots. Harkin’s address is titled "A Robot in Your Life." Following Harkins address, a counter-response is given by Dr. Arthur Norberg, director of the Charles Babbage Institute for the History of Information Processing and associate professor of computer science at the University of Minnesota. Norberg speaks on negative aspects in culture, and the unknown of technological use and response. After speeches, Harkins and Norberg answer questions from the audience.
March 19, 1982 - In this Science Town Meeting, Dr. James Rutherford, of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, speaks on science education in the school system. Rutherford’s speech is titled “Science Education in the Schools: Are We Failing?” Dick Clark, science program specialist with the Minnesota Department of Education, also provides a regional perspective on the science education debate. MPR’s Rich Dietman hosts and moderates’ program.
April 27, 1982 - Joanne Slavin, assistant professor and extension nutritionist at the University of Minnesota, discusses the role of nutrition and exercise. Slavin also answers listener questions.
July 10, 1982 - On this Weekend program, Robert (Bob) Franson, vice-president of U.S Satellite Broadcasting Company, discusses direct broadcast satellite (DBS) and other satellite topics. Franson also answers listener questions.
November 30, 1982 - Climatologist Iben Browning speaking to Investment Advisors, Inc., in Bloomington. Browning states a combination of natural forces will cause what he terms a double-dip winter for most of the United States. It will be cold at first with lots of snow, then warm, then cold again late into next spring. For the long term into the next century, Browning predicts that crop growing seasons in many countries will be shortened by a trend to cooler weather in the Northern Hemisphere. Iben Browning holds a PhD degree in zoology, genetics and physiology from the University of Texas, and the author of several books including one titled, "Climate and the Affairs of Man".
November 30, 1982 - Donald Baker, University of Minnesota professor of soil science, and Brian Hanson, of the University of Minnesota Department of Geography, discuss climate predictions. Baker and Hanson also answer listener questions.
December 3, 1982 - Author Irving Stone speaking at Nobel Conference XVIII - Darwin's Legacy held at Gustavus Adolphus College. Stone’s address was titled “"The Human Mind after Darwin.” His latest book is entitled, "The Origin"; it is a history of Charles Darwin, his friends, and his time. He has achieved best-selling popularity and critical acclaim for such works as "Lust for Life", "The Agony and the Ecstasy", and "Passions of the Mind". The Nobel Conference at Gustavus was the first formal Nobel lecture program outside of Sweden and Norway to have the official authorization of the Nobel Foundation. The annual program began in 1965 and features several Nobel laureates and other highly acclaimed scholars. The 1982 conference theme was Darwin's Legacy, in observance of the centenary of the death of Charles Darwin. Eminent figures in the fields of natural history and other disciplines discussed Darwin's effects not only on science, but on history and sociology.
December 18, 1982 - On this Weekend program, Bruce Watson, consulting meteorologist, discusses northern lights, winter, and the science of weather. Watson also answers listener questions.
December 22, 1982 - Richard E. Leakey, paleoanthropologist and author, speaking at the 1982 Nobel Conference, held at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. Leakey’s address was titled, "African Origins: A Review of the Record."