Singing in the Key of Science

By Joe Palca

Published March 20, 2005 at 12:00 AM EST

NPR science correspondent Joe Palca talks with a physics professor who serenades his students with ditties about E=mc² and the like. Professor Walter Smith at Haverford College often plays songs on his ukulele to teach complex concepts.

Joe Palca

Joe Palca is a science correspondent for NPR. Since joining NPR in 1992, Palca has covered a range of science topics — everything from biomedical research to astronomy. He is currently focused on the eponymous series, "Joe's Big Idea." Stories in the series explore the minds and motivations of scientists and inventors. Palca is also the founder of NPR Scicommers – A science communication collective.

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