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Science in the White House

September 19, 2016
Writing Arguments

On November 8, 2016, Americans will head to the polls to vote for the next president of the United States. Science World spoke with presidential historian Mike Purdy to discuss the biggest scientific achievements of past presidents. Here are some highlights.

KOLB BROS./LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

Roosevelt at the Grand Canyon

THEODORE ROOSEVELT, REPUBLICAN (1901-09)

  • established five national parks and many protected areas, including over 100 million acres of national forests
  • collected more than 11,000 animal specimens for the Smithsonian Institution on an expedition in Africa
  • signed a law requiring food and medicines to be tested for safety
CECIL W. STOUGHTON/WHITE HOUSE PHOTO

Kennedy examines Friendship 7, which carried astronaut John Glenn around Earth.

JOHN F. KENNEDY, DEMOCRAT (1961-63)

  • proposed landing a person on the moon in 1961; accomplished in 1969 through the Apollo program
  • negotiated a treaty that banned aboveground nuclear weapons testing to protect people from radiation
  • created the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to study kids’ health
AP PHOTO

Nixon at a beach cleanup

RICHARD NIXON, REPUBLICAN (1969-74)

  • created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect human health and the environment
  • established the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to study the sea and atmosphere
  • signed the Clean Air Act (1970) to reduce air pollution; signed the Endangered Species Act (1973) to protect species at risk of extinction
HARVEY GEORGES/AP PHOTO

Carter installed solar panels at the White House.

JIMMY CARTER, DEMOCRAT (1977-81)

  • created the Department of Energy to research clean energy technology
  • implemented standards for vehicle fuel efficiency to reduce gasoline consumption
  • authorized the EPA to clean up areas contaminated with toxic waste

ANALYZE IT: Of the achievements listed, which one do you think was the most important? Write a paragraph explaining your choice.

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